My Friend Kicks Ass

One of my friends ran the Chicago Marathon yesterday. I've been waiting all day to hear how she managed in all the heat. I just got this email:

Dear all,
I'm happy to report that I'm healthy and was able to finish the Chicago Marathon in 4 hours 37 minutes. Slower than my goal, but a time of which I'm proud given the extreme heat.
The officials actually "cancelled" the race, although I was in mile 24 when the rumors of closures spread. Of course, being me, I was just determined to continue running anyway. It was terribly hot, especially when facing into the sun. Every step south was both into the sun and away from the finish line in the Loop! I luckily didn't experience any water shortages and had plenty to drink throughout. I had trained thoroughly and hydrated as well as I could, and I'm happy I was able to finish strong. Only walked the water stations! Surely my body is wrecked today, but... what a feeling.
The spectators were truly awesome. Running through Boystown, Old Town, Pilsen, Chinatown was a blast. There were DJs and bands along the route to keep us going, mostly official but some looked rather informal. Folks with huge speakers blasted music out of their windows -- Aretha Franklin "Respect," U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Queen "We are the Champions" -- whatever inspiration found them. (My favorite was Neil Diamond's "Coming to America" as I entered the gates of Chinatown. Hysterical. I actually got goosebumps. So cheesy.) Other business owners and individuals ran their hoses out and sprayed marathoners as we passed. A welcome feeling! I was soaked for most of the race, which I think was one of the only ways I survived. Teams of friends and high schoolers manned the aid stations and worked tirelessly to fill outstretched hands with water and Gatorade. Random strangers opened up their coolers and passed out ice.
Unfortunately, a pall or hush fell over the crowd for the last 2 miles, probably based on the closure rumors, so they were surprisingly quiet. Just when we needed them the most! Regardless, I ran into the finish and felt great. After half of a beer and a lot of food, I crashed pretty hard.
Thanks again to all for your support. And especially to my family: Grandma, Aunts Judy and Beth, and cousins Nora, Steve, and Tim for coming out to watch (and flying out!), and a very big to my sister Sarah for organizing! And thanks to brother-in-law Rob (and friends Doug and Arvy) for taking time away from tax returns the weekend before a big deadline :)
Until next year! Kathryn

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I'm so proud of her!