Bank of America Chicago Marathon - October 11, 2015

It's crazy how October and November have literally been one race after another.  But it's like my mom always says, you are blessed to be as busy as you are.  And I've been enjoying every moment of this crazy running-race-lifestyle.

Due to a significant injury I sustained a couple of weeks before LA Marathon earlier this year, I considered Chicago Marathon to be essentially my first real marathon.  So my nerves were high even early as my plane ride from Los Angeles to Chi-Town.

I landed in Chicago the Thursday evening before race day.  I could already feel the Chicago Marathon energy the second I landed in Chicago as I took the train to West Loop where Adam and I were staying with his family:

A photo posted by melliecay (@melliecay) on Oct 8, 2015 at 11:05pm PDT

The following day we worked from home, then attended the expo:

Photo-ops were everywhere.  And there was Nike Chicago Marathon gear galore.

Perhaps the best part about running such a big race is running into familiar faces everywhere:

Jarrick from Boston

One of my fav Nike pacers from LA

Coach Blue

And you guys know Lisa and Jess!

Nike also had a pace booth, and a photo-op pumping us up to #OWNCHICAGO:

A photo posted by melliecay (@melliecay) on Oct 9, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT

Saturday morning was the Nike Shakeout Run, with some sick views of the city on an incredibly gorgeous day:

And of course, my Adam by my side every step of the way:

And with that it was time for a carboload dinner, significant rest, and outfit prep:

A photo posted by melliecay (@melliecay) on Oct 10, 2015 at 1:18pm PDT

We gathered in Corral G with the Nike+ Pace Group.  I definitely recommend signing up for one to help keep you on pace.  They also provide a helpful Nike+ Pace Tattoo which is good in case you lose your group at a potty stop:

I really had no other choice but to be ready:

I was happy to be able to catch up to Jess and cross the finish line with her for not only her first marathon, but also her 24th birthday:

And of course more this familiar face at the finish line:

A photo posted by melliecay (@melliecay) on Oct 11, 2015 at 12:24pm PDT

Overall Chicago Marathon was one of the best experiences I've ever had at a race.  The expo was huge and incredibly interactive.  There was crowd support (over 1 million people) literally every step of the way!  The course is pancake flat.  And Chicago is such a gorgeous city full of wonderful carboloading restaurants!  I hope to "win" the lottery again next year!