2012 Chicago Marathon Finisher!

I did it! I've now had two weeks to sit back and reflect on my 5th (and possibly final?) marathon and feel so good about it. I actually just got around to putting together an online photo album this afternoon - I compiled the pictures from my camera and phone with the pictures my friend Patrick took. He's a photographer for the city of Chicago, so his pics from the race were outstanding. I just wish I was cuter while running! :)

Going into the race weekend, a little part of me thought, "Can I do this?! My training was mediocre this summer, my knee problems are ongoing, and I just don't feel ready." So at the expo, I signed up for the 4:40 pace group. I knew this wouldn't be a PR (personal record) race for me (I ran a 4:28 at the Shamrock Marathon back in 2008), but I thought I would aim high and try to stay as close to 4:40 as I could. And I was able to do so for the first 13 miles. But then my pace slipped a bit. And around mile 19, let myself take a short walk break. And once I let myself walk a bit, it's easy to let myself take *more* walk breaks. Long story short, I finished in 5:04. I was so happy with that, though! I felt so good just finishing. And got really emotional at the finish line. Then when I saw Patrick and Emily, more tears. Just a flood of relief that I made it through and felt as good as I did.

Alright...let's get to the pictures!

Lunch at Native Foods with Emily & Patrick!

The amazing view from E & P's balcony (with my friend Heather from Mpls!)

Hanging out at the expo, loving the photo opps!

Race morning - Emily and Patrick walked me to the starting corrals.

Just past the starting line - excited to have found Emily and Patrick.

Mile 13 - wishing this was just a half marathon. :)

 FINISH LINE! Already crying. :)

Emotional while receiving my finisher medal.

Time to party. And by "party", I mean "limp to Chipotle for a burrito"! :)

Beyond the race, I also had a great rest-of-the-weekend. We ate at Native Foods twice - an awesome vegan restaurant, and enjoyed a celebratory dinner in Chinatown on Sunday night. We met up with some other friends throughout the weekend, too. And we were able to enjoy some downtime of just chilling together and catching up. Patrick and Emily live right in downtown Chicago in a beautiful apartment building on the river. With their support before, during and after the race, my weekend was perfect. Seriously. I will always have wonderful memories from this experience...and Chicago now holds a special place in my heart. :)