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| Marathon Memories |
Notes from Behind Number 29,989
La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon 2005
By Alice Robinson
The Day Before: The Expo was well organized. One caveat: waiting for
school busses to shuttle us to the Expo was tedious. We stood in line for at least half an
hour waiting for the shuttle to take us there and waited longer for the shuttle to take us
back. On the way there, the volunteer on the bus warned us to "watch out for that
hill at the end of the marathon." He was right. At the Expo, we got our stuff fast.
Booths and free nutritious smoothies were everywhere. We all looked like marathon groupies
with our plastic marathon goodie bags slung over our shoulders. Seeing my name outside of
the Hilton Hotel was a thrill, right between Alan Robinson and Becca Robinson. The weather
was cold. Dinner of spaghetti at Miller's Pub downtown before we went back to the hotel.
The Day of: I woke up about 6:15 for the 8 a.m. start. There were
spectators during every single part of the course. There was a steady stream of children's
hands to slap. There was plenty of water and Gatorade at the water stops, mostly staffed
by very young people. At the start, getting to a point where I could run didn't take that
long, only a few minutes, since we snuck up front. One of my favorite signs in the race
was, "you're all Kenyans." The race started off near Lake Michigan, snaking
through downtown and Chicago neighborhoods. It took us through a Chinese area and a
Mexican neighborhood. I got a beaded Chicago Marathon necklace from a spectator passing
them out. I was passed by Kermit the Frog and a 'Blue Man.' The last few miles were kind
of a haze, with everyone (including me) seeming like they were running in slow motion.
During the famous hill just before the end, someone blasted Ciara's "One, Two
Step," which helped keep me going. A leg cramp just before the finish line slowed me
down. It was exhilarating being in Chicago just before the marathon. I've been to Chicago
before, but I was reminded of what a vibrant city it is on this trip. I would recommend
this marathon to anyone; the chance to experience Chicago in this way should not be passed
up. Recommendations for after the marathon are to visit the Art Institute of Chicago
(www.artic.edu) and see the jolting, lively Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theatre. Or
scarf down a piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory (I had vanilla bean, but you
can take your pick from dozens). Don't worry about calories, you deserve it.
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