Tuesday, October 21, 2008

rejoice. we conquer.

A friend brought it to my attention the other day that I never wrote a post-race entry, so here it is. Because there are a lot of people I need to thank...

We finished the race, which was really all we could ask for on a ninety-degree day in Chicago, especially since I forgot my bib number at home when we left for the race. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for racing downtown and navigating the mobs of runners to find me by the starting line. You saved the day (as always).

The first half of the race went really well. 14 miles. Solid. 10-minute mile pace. Jon and I counted all of our friends and family spotted on the sidelines. Over 30! Thanks so much to everyone who came out. It was so much easier to run when we heard and saw you on the sidelines.

Then, about mile 16, things went a bit awry. It got hot, and whereas the first third of the race course wound through the northside neighborhoods (where streets are shaded by buildings and even a few trees), the west and south sides were brutal. No thanks to the marathon for running out of bananas at the refueling stations. I really think there is something unfair about allowing all the good runners to eat them up just before the rest of us get there.

But I have to be honest, it was Team World Vision--the runners and fans--that got us through. As he "ran" through the industrial district on the southwest side (miles 18 and 19), seeing fans in Team World Vision tshirts, cheering for us as loud as they could kept us going. We also ran into a friend of mine (also running for TWV), which was really an immeasurable lift. So thanks to Team World Vision for bringing people together, giving them something to connect through.

And finally, thanks to all of you. For following along, for making donations, for coming out to the race, for prayer.

What an awesome experience. I think everyone should try it (once).