This is a flat, fast course and a world record is always a possibility in Chicago. While we will cover the marathon from every angle, one that I want to give special attention to is the person or persons who think they may come in last or near last.
This is not a joke. I want to run along with you for the entire 6-7-8 hour journey. There are a lot of arguments about whether or not "running" a plus 6 hour marathon is true to the spirit of the sport. Being a 16 hour Ironman finisher, I know what it's like to be out there for a long time, to push, to struggle, to find the courage and the strength to make it one more step. It ain't easy!
I want to share your story with everyone as you travel through the streets of Chicago on your journey to the finish line in Grant Park.
So, if you are running in the Chicago Marathon and don't mind a shadow with a camera and the occasional question, let me know how to find you. I want to finish last in the Chicago Marathon with you.
Pass the word along to your friends and neighbors and have them contact me here at Chicagonow/pace.
Thank you.
David
12 Comments
Greg Andricopulos said:
I'm pretty slow having a large frame and weighing over 200lbs, but I'm not quite that slow! I hope to come in around 4:30 to 4:45.
LittleRunner said:
I think I may just be the runner you're looking for. I'm slower than slow. My dream would be to finish a marathon in 5:59:59, just to have that "5" number in front of my marathon time. My guess is I'll stagger in around 6:30.
This marathon is of particular importance to me because my first marathon was Chicago 2007, where I was unable to finish, because the race was cancelled due to the extreme heat. I have a medal from Chicago '07, but I can't wait to have one that I truly earned.
I'm a charity runner, too, so that fuels my desire to finish, no matter how long it takes.
Get in touch with me if you're interested!
LittleRunner said:
Me again. You can get in touch with me on my running blog (which seriously needs updating...) http://littlerunnergirl.wordpress.com/ or on Twitter... LittleRunnerLK.
LittleRunner said:
Yikes. Should have made sure to have all my information... got too excited! (No one ever cares about us slowpokes.) You can reach my by e-mail at lmkaminsky@gmail.com
BigDogMom said:
I am a 12-13 min. miler and should finish in just under 6 hours. This is my first marathon. I am a full time teacher and mom of 5 kids so fitting in training has been a tough task. I am running to raise money for Alexander Leigh Center for Autism. The founder of the school is my hero.
I only started running about 3 years ago and if you saw me the last thing you would think was "runner"....much less marathon runner. Even my own kids had a good laugh when I told them I was going to run the Chicago Marathon. People still do not believe me.
If you want to contact me, feel free kidbiz6@comcast.net
Reese said:
12-13 minute miles? I've got you beat. Try 16-17 minutes. I'm of the mindset that I was given the ability to run to flee my enemies, and possibly run away from rubber dodge balls. That's it.
So why sign up for a very large marathon? I figure I can hoof it pretty well. But I'm doing this for me. I've dedicated 2009 to a year of change--quit my well-paying job in Wyoming to move to Chicago, attend Northwestern and get my master's degree, and improve my health.
WeightWatchers helped me shed 20 lb. "so healthy living" is on my list. Wish I could say I'm doing this for a charity, or for someone. But the most important person in all of this is me. I want to prove to myself that I can do it, and hopefully chat with a bunch of people along the way.
After a few unexpected struggles with health, I'm in this to finish. Would love the company along the way, as I'm sure it'll be a somewhat lonely (and perhaps pretty daunting) journey ahead.
Feel free to contact me at reeseruiz(at)yahoo(dot)com. (just don't want any computers to pick it up and send me hate mail...or love mail... either way, don't want junk in my e-box :))
Kristin said:
Good luck. I just started running a few months ago and just completed my first 5K. I was extremely slow. Just under 17 mins miles. I one day hope to finish a marathon. Somewhere Dave blogged about me, I believe it was just in the last few days due to another Dave my sister in law met the day of the 5K
txhernan said:
Dave, that's great your doing an article about the slow runners that put a lot of commitment and dedication to fullfil a dream. The face a huge challenge of running the race for a long time...that's endurance. I'd like to recommend Kim for this story. Kim is not athletic, has never participated in a running race until this year (5k, solder field and Batavia half marathon), has never run a marathon but has always dreamed about running one.
He's goal is to finish and not to come last and I know he won’t be last but at his jogging pace (around 15 minute mile) he’ll be close to last. However, knowing all he’s accomplished so far, his time in the marathon doesn’t matter at all. The rewards of finishing such a challenging race is the price. I just sent you an email with his contact information.
You won't be disappointed with his story :-)
David Wallach said:
How do I reach Kim?
Run4Fun said:
You should run in Arizona with a friend of mine. Check out this link - finmanchallenge.com
He's going to have media covering the event ( radio/newspaper/television)
runnercat said:
Hi,
we have the perfect group for you to run with. I am the Pragram Director for Team M3~Chicago Student MentorRun, We pair Chicago high school srtudents with adult mentors to train for and run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We have groups running as fast as 7 minute miles and our slowest group is at a 15 minute per mile pace. While we are hopeful everyone will stay at pace, inevitably, someone will be having an off day and drop back. Last year our last person came in around 7 1/2 hours.
By joining our group, you would have the opportunity to speak with both students and adults about what completing a marathon means to them.
I would also welcome the person you have choosen to run with our 15 minute group. When you care more about the students you're running with then your own goals, completing the race becomes that much easier. Crossing the finish line will have a whole new meaning
runnercat said:
Me again. For all of you who would love more information about Team M3 check out our website at www.m3.mgrf.org or email me at cathy@mgrf.org
Leave a Comment?
What your comment will look like:
said: