My Chicago Marathon

Yesterday, October 13, I had the amazing opportunity to run the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! It was an unforgettable experience!

My running adventure in Chicago started on Friday at the expo. To be there, at the Chicago marathon expo one of the marathon majors, seeing the Abbott World Marathon Majors booth was surreal. It’s a dream… a goal to one day run all six and I couldn’t believe I was there. I even saw the six star medal!

5K ready!

Then on Saturday I ran the International Chicago 5k. It was a great race! It was freezing though, and as a Florida girl it was probably a bit worse for me haha! But the course was great and it gave a nice peek on what the martahon would bring. My mom joined me and dad on this 5k so it made the experience even better.

Sunday was the marathon. I met some fellow runners at the hotel and it really made the entire experience even better. Standing there at our gate with my dad and new runner friend, again gave that unbelievable feeling. We were there… in Chicago, about to run the Chicago marathon. Each step brought us closer to that starting line and it was amazing.

Even crossing that start it was still surreal and I tried to take it all in. The crowds were great, the course was amazing but the experience… words can barely describe it! This marathon was rather tough for me though. I don’t know if the cold had anything to do with it, maybe it did since I’m not used to it at all, but my body started feeling it earlier than expected. I pushed through though, although it got really hard. I had my dad by me the entire time and we both kept each other going, even when we were out of it.

At the end my dad said let’s really run to the finish line. I said I couldn’t run that fast and he told me it’s almost done, we’re right there…. and I again pushed myself… found the energy I had left and we both rushed to that finish line crossing it together. I got emotional at the end and when we finished… I’m even getting emotional now. There’s something special about 26.2 miles… it’s not easy and I know I go through a lot of mental challenges. To finish, to know that I conquered all that and finished it is an incredible feeling. Then to know that I finished it along side my dad… finished my first world marathon major, earned my first star medal… it brought tears to my eyes.

I love running. I love everything it has brought to me and out of me. I’ve met new people, come together with family and friends, traveled and really pushed myself all through running. Running is a magical experience for me and I’m so thankful… and I’m thankful for all the support, and for the opportunity to run this Chicago marathon. Now… five more to go.

My Chicago Marathon!

~Day

My Year of Running

2018 has been such an amazing year of running for me! I did so many runs and accomplished new PRs. I did one run on my bucket list, the Rock n’ Roll Las Vegas, and will be doing another bucket list run in 2019! Before getting into that… this has been a great final month for me! Earlier this month I did my 10th half marathon, the Rotary Club of Weston’s Run for Tomorrow,  and despite being a little sick I managed to set a new personal record! I finished in 2:19:05, 51 seconds faster than my other time! Yes, my goal this year was to finish a half marathon in under 2 hours but I’m setting that goal for 2019. I’m proud of myself and I know I can finish even faster.

Also during this month I did my final 5K, the Jingle Jog where we ran all dressed in Santa suits! It’s definitely one of my favorite 5Ks. When I first started running I remember I couldn’t wait to do a Jingle Jog! Well also during this final 5K, and my final run for the year, I set another personal record for my fastest 5K! So I ended my running year setting two new personal records and with a will to do more. Which now leads me to something else that happened this month…

I got into the Chicago Marathon!! I am so excited and still can barely believe it! The Chicago Marathon, along with all the majors, is one of my bucket list runs and I can’t believe I have the opportunity to run it! It brings me one step closer to my goal and dream of running all six world majors! It also gave me a boost to end this running year… made me realize how much I love this sport and how much room I have for growth. This has been an amazing year and I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings. Thank you always for reading :)!

~Day

Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas

Last weekend I was so lucky to cross off one of my bucket list races! I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas run weekend and had a blast! I’ve never been to Vegas before then so it was the perfect time to go… for a run and for the experience. It was so much fun and such an experience!

Ready for the 5K!

On Saturday the 10th I did the 5K! It was a great run. The 5K didn’t exactly go through the strip but we were able to see parts of it. There was music on the course and the environment was great of course! It was a chilly night… at least for me since I’m a Floridan, but I enjoyed the cool weather. I didn’t attend any of the events at the finish but there were some celebrations afterwards! I had a long morning and went out to dinner instead. Plus I had to get read for my half marathon the next night!

That was something I enjoyed so much about this race… they took place at night! Since I’ve never been to Las Vegas I was able to do a lot during the day and I wasn’t exhausted from waking up early the next day for the run. No it was at night and even afterwards

Start line of half marathon! Dressed as Tron

it wasn’t too late so it gave me time to explore more of Vegas afterwards! And plus running the Las Vegas strip… at night time?! I couldn’t let that opportunity pass! That was why it was a bucket list run for me. The half marathon was so much fun! The only con for me was the start line/corral placement. We get placed in corrals but it isn’t organized at all. For the half marathon no one was in the proper corral it was rather a mess… but besides that factor the entire run was amazing.

We ran the entire strip and saw all the highlights of Vegas in those 13.1 miles. The people there were so encouraging and again I say it was a lot of fun. For the half marathon I dressed as Tron because I thought it would be cool to light up blue on the course. There were so many great costumes too. I’m sooo glad I did it! It was really worth it and I would definitely do it again!

It was such a great weekend. This is the second bucket list race I’ve done and I’m aiming to add more! In exactly 1 week and a day I have my first marathon. Training for that hasn’t gone exactly as planned but… I feel ready yet nervous. Thank you for reading!

~Day