Chicago Marathon race reflections without pictures

Well, my daughter still hasn't sent me the pictures that she took from the sidelines of the marathon so I'm going to get this post finished.
When I woke up I checked my countdown app on my phone and was greeted by:

Today is the day!!

My Sister-in-law's cousin drove us downtown to as close as he could get us to where we had to go.  We jumped out of the car and began following the masses of people on the sidewalks.  My sister and daughter were then dropped off at Union Station where my daughter put her bag in a locker because she was taking a train back in the afternoon.  They used a spectator guide handed out at the expo to plan their spectating. We knew that the first place they would be would be at mile 2. 
We found the gate we were supposed to enter through, we got in line for the porta potties, got that out of the way and then we found gear check.  It was chilly so we didn't want to give up our jackets any sooner than we had to.  We should have had throw away stuff.  I don't know why I didn't think of that.  I have several things on hand for that.  It was cold when I finally took off my jacket and the shirt I had on over my tank top.  We got in corral G with about 20 minutes until start.  We were at gear check when the first wave went off, we could hear the National Anthem and the gun and all the screaming.  They did the National Anthem again for the second wave.  We never heard a gun go off but the mass of people began moving toward the start line.  It took 12 minutes to get to the start line!  There were so many many many people!  I have never seen anything like it.  It was slow moving for the longest time. 
This was the biggest marathon that I've ever run!  The spectators were just amazing! The entire course was lined with crowds.  There were no breaks in the crowds!  There were so many signs too!  The latest thing in marathon signs has to be a saying such as go fast, go hard, you're almost there, etc etc and then followed by..."that's what she/he said"!!  I saw that so many times!  Another popular sign subject was something along the lines of "you're running much better than our government"! I also saw a lot of signs saying, "I like your stamina" or "you've got great stamina" and then followed by - "call me later!" And, of course, the ever popular total stranger signs!! (I'm proud of you, total stranger, etc, etc).  I saw one sign saying, "Remember when you thought you couldn't do this".  Yes, I do remember a time when I'd have never imagined myself doing anything like this! 
So, anyway, back to running a marathon!  My sis-in-law and I planned to run together, I went into this with no time goals.  We saw my sister and my daughter at mile two!  That was the first time I've ever had anyone at a race waiting along the sidelines!  I always go alone.  We saw them again at the halfway point.  We were still running together at that point.  I can't remember for sure when it was but she started slowing and having some problems somewhere around 14 or 15.  I kept getting ahead of her but I would wait for her at mile markers and aid stations.  She was never very far behind me, she's really tall so I could spot her easily when I turned and looked back while running.  She was always just a little behind me.  Mile 17 was our slowest at 12:53.  At mile 19 I couldn't find her.  I stood to the side and watched all the runners run by and I was sure that I had somehow missed her so I continued on.  I couldn't spot her up ahead of me or behind me.  I felt so bad.  I saw my sister at mile 20 and went over to the side and asked her if Karen had went by yet and she said no and to just go on.  It was so hard and I was so sad about leaving her behind.  I was crying as I passed the 20 mile marker.  Once I was running my own pace I had a hard time getting through the crowds.  There were so many people walking and just shuffling along.  I've been there and know what it's like and I felt kind of bad just flying by all of them.  I actually felt really good and was thinking that this is going to be the best last 6.2 miles of a marathon that I've ever run.  HA!  Don't worry, I didn't get out of it that easy!  The 23rd and 24th miles got tough. The 25th mile, for some reason, was better and I was feeling good again.  There was a 25.2 mile marker and right at that moment it all got ugly.  The last mile was the worst.  I had thoughts going through my head of stopping and sitting on the curb for a few minutes and then getting back up and finishing.  It's a good thing that there was no places along the sides where there wasn't crowds of spectators!  I had looked at the time on my Garmin and thought that it said that I was already in the 4:50s and I thought that I could at least come in under 5 hours.  Even though I was crashing and just wanted to stop, I was pushing as much as I could.  I could see the 26 mile sign ahead but it wasn't getting any closer!  We turned a corner at the 26 mile marker and had to go over a bridge which was not fun!  It seemed to be so steep but it probably wasn't.  I thought I'd see the finish when I turned the corner but there was one more turn and then the finish came into sight!!  Crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon was the most emotional I've ever been because of having to leave my sis-in-law behind.  I just started crying.  My Garmin said 4:49:42 when I stopped it. I got my mylar blanket.  Something I've never seen before was a big sticker, like an oversized piece of tape,  that they used to stick the two sides together so I didn't have to hold it.  That was the best!  I've never had to walk so far after finishing a marathon as I had to after this one.  I kept looking for water and my medal.  I thought I had missed the medals so I was looking around at others but nobody else had one on either.  Finally, a medal!  Finally, water!!  There was still a lot of walking after that.  It took forever to get to gear check and then the reunion area was so far away that I could barely see it!  My feet were hurting more and more the farther I walked.  I finally found my sister and daughter.  My sister was getting the text tracking updates and told me that Karen had finished.  I was still so sad about having to leave her behind.  My sister told me that my time from the text was 4:49:36.  My sis in law came in at 5:09. 
One thing that always hits me after a marathon and was no different this time is that it's all over.  Training is long and tiring and then it's over so fast.  The sister-in-laws marathon adventure that had been in the works for over two years was all over. 
The splits from my Garmin:

1			9:24
2			10:28
3			11:18
4			10:15
5			10:20
6			10:39
7			10:31
8			10:19
9			10:51
10			10:46
11			10:51
12			10:54
13			11:00
14			11:16
15			11:44
16			12:47
17			12:53
18			11:45
19			12:30
20			10:37
21			10:12
22			9:58
23			10:11
24			9:53
25			10:14
26			10:40
27			9:59

The sign my daughter made for me:

Go MOM!

Proud Chicago Marathon Finisher:

Runner Nerd finishes the Chicago Marathon!

Marathon finishing Sister-in-laws:

We did it!! 

My daughter had some good pictures on her camera but I can't get her to send them to me.  I should threaten to withhold Christmas presents until I get them!!  She took pictures of the leaders of the race passing by at the 2 mile point.  She also has some pictures of me running by at the different places she saw me.  Hopefully, I will get them someday.  I still haven't ordered any pictures.  My finish line pictures were so disappointing.  I was crowded by so many other people.  They is only one good one but I'm right on the edge and one arm is cut out.  I'm going to eventually order a couple.  I will share them when I do. 
When took a cab to Union Station because my daughter was leaving on a train at 5pm.  There are shops and restaurants in  Union Station so we ate and hung out there until it was time for her to check in.  We ate at McDonalds.  I've eaten McDonalds after marathons before.  I have a hard time eating after marathons but I know I have to.  The fries actually go down easily.  I had a cheeseburger but didn't eat very much of the bun.  There was a popcorn store that had really good caramel corn!  I couldn't eat very much of it at the time but it was sooooo good!  I'm glad there is nothing like that where I live! 
When it was time for my daughter to check in and get ready to board we were both all teary saying good bye to each other.  I really enjoyed having some time with her.  Saturday afternoon was fun.  We had to walk to another train station that was only a couple of blocks away to get on the train we needed to get back to Mt. Prospect.  We got our tickets and had about 20 minutes to wait.  We were able to board right away so at least we could be sitting.  We finally got back.  I don't think I've ever had as long a time until I showered after a marathon! 
The Chicago Marathon is a lot of fun!  I said that it was probably going to be my last marathon but all I can think about is running it again!  I'd love to run it again.  I think it would also be fun to just go and spectate. 
Soooo, there it is, my Chicago Marathon adventure!  I can hardly believe it's over. 

Runner Nerd
Chicago marathoner

I RAN THE CHICAGO MARATHON!!

Guess what!  I ran the Chicago Marathon today!  It wasn't my fastest, it wasn't my slowest, but it was the most fun I've ever had in a marathon! 
This is certainly the biggest marathon I've ever run.  I've never seen as many spectators either; there were spectators lining the entire course.  It was something else! 
I'm not going to write very much right now because I am exhausted.  I stayed in the city until my daughter left on a train for home and then had to ride a train back to where I'm staying. 
I will say this:  I FINISHED!!  I even finished moving at a pretty good pace!  I had a 4:49:36. 
My daughter has a lot of pictures on her camera and phone and will have to send them to me. 
I only have one to show:
This is my sis-in-law and me shortly after finishing. It was not easy standing for that picture! 

Marathon finishing sister-in-laws

OK, it's time to crash!
Runner Nerd
Chicago Marathon finisher

Chicago!

I'm in Chicago! 
We went to the expo this afternoon!  We figured that it would be better to do that today instead of tomorrow because it could involve a lot of walking.  It was huge; I think it is the largest marathon expo I've ever been to. 

Entering McCormic Place with our packet pick up tickets

 

 

OMG!!! It's Dean Karnazes!!!!

I saw a celebrity!  Dean Karnazes was there.  There was a long line to see him so I just took a quick picture.  It would be sooooooo cool to actually have a picture with him but I was the only one in the group who was interested so I just took the pic!
I got my bib!!

Chicago Marathon race bib

There were photo taking spots all over the place in the expo.  This is one of them.  You scan your bib and your name appears on the background! 

I own 26.2

My feet were beginning to hurt from all the walking.  I'm not sure how long we were there but it was around 2 hours. 
We took a bus to near Millennium Park and saw the Bean; my daughter really wanted to see it again.  We thought we were going to get on the train right there by Millennium Park but when we got there we found out that it wasn't the right one.  We had to walk several more blocks to the right place.  I nearly fell asleep on the ride back to where we had to go. 
Tomorrow, I'm going to attempt to go into downtown Chicago by myself to meet up with several running bloggers!  This should be interesting; the country girl in the big city!  I have it all written out - which train to take and when to get off the train, then the next train to get on and where to get off and then it's 2 blocks to the place. 
 There's just one more day until the big day! 

Runner Nerd
blogging from Chicago

Chicago, Here Comes Runner Nerd!

Today, I ran my last run before the Chicago Marathon!  A little ole 3 miler!  I can hardly believe that I'm done training and all that is left is two rest days and then the big day!
I am heading to Chicago tomorrow.  My sister and sister-in-law are there; they flew in from CA this evening.  My daughter and I are driving there tomorrow morning.  My sis-in-law and I are going to the expo tomorrow afternoon.  We're staying with relatives of my sis-in-law who live in a suburb just north of Chicago.  This will be the first time I've ever not been alone in a hotel room the night before a marathon.  I'm  not sure about having so many people around me the night before.  It will be different.
I'm almost packed and just waiting for a load of laundry to finish drying; there's a couple things in there that I need to pack -nothing like waiting until the last minute! 

Chicago, here comes Runner Nerd!!!

20 miles and the work is done!

Three weeks from tomorrow is the Chicago Marathon which means that this weekend is the marathon training favorite...the 20 miler!  It was my second 20 miler and, as is usual for me, went much better than the first one!  I didn't even have to walk this time.  The best thing I did was to slow down to the pace I should be running my long runs.  What a difference it makes!  I can make it all the way through the run at the same speed I started at instead of much slower!
Here's my Garmin shot of my run.  This Garmin leaves whatever is showing as the pace when it is shut off instead of showing the average for the whole run.  As soon as it turned over to 20.00 I stopped running.  I didn't stop the Garmin until my last mile split displayed.  I was right by where we end and the few steps I took must have been really really slow - 35:06 minutes/mile!!  20 miles in 3:32:35 is actually a 10:37 pace.  This pace is actually a little off because on the second half of the run I wasn't turning it off when we stopped at the water stops.  I've already messed up two runs by forgetting to turn it back on after a water stop and I was getting tired and didn't want to take the chance of forgetting to turn it back on.  I did turn it off at a water stop where I took a gu but there were three water stops where I just let it run.  We didn't stop long so I'm thinking maybe 2 minutes between the three stops. 

20 miles in 3:32:35 (10:37/mile)

I got to try:

Salted Caramel Gu

I'm not going to say that it is sooooo good, just like gooey caramel smothered over ice cream.  It's doable for me.  I've mentioned a million times that I just can't get past the slimy texture of Gu.  This really does taste like caramel and almost feels like caramel.  I also tried Chocolate Raspberry Gu.  When I squeezed the packet in my fingers it didn't feel like the gel texture of Gu, it felt more solid and thick.  It wasn't that bad.  I'm not sure if I'll use it in the race.  I also tried Honey Stinger Vanilla, didn't like it. 

After my run, all I wanted to do was to go home but...
I had to go to the downtown branch of the running store.  It's only a block away from where my group run meets.  The running store branch I go to on Thursday nights for running group is on the west side of Ann  Arbor.  Thursday I tried on new running shoes.  I've been wearing Asics Gel Foundations for years but they just discontinued the Foundations and replaced them with a new model called the Forte.  I tried on the same size I currently wear (10.5) but I felt like my toe was pushing against the top of the shoe.  They said I really needed to try on a size 11 but they didn't have a size 11 in the store but the downtown store did have an 11.  One of the employees took the 10.5s to the downtown store on Friday so that I could try on both sizes after my run today.  I ended up getting the 11s.  When they held my current shoe sole to sole with the new 10.5, you could see that they didn't quite match up; the new model is just a tad shorter.  The 11s fit perfectly.   I kept "warning" them that they might need nose plugs and I should have come in tomorrow but the woman who waited on me said that it was the best time to try on new shoes because feet swell during a run and my feet would never get any more swollen than right after a 20 miler.  Then I hobbled two blocks to where I parked my car and headed home.  I so wanted to take a nap but had to hurry up and shower so I could help my neighbor.  Their daughter was getting married this afternoon in their yard and they didn't want a bunch of cars to be showing in the pictures so we let them park some cars here.  One of their guests with a mini van shuttled the wedding guests to their house.  After the ceremony and pictures were done, several of the relatives made a few trips to get all the cars back to their place. 
I never did get my nap and I'm exhausted this evening.  Tomorrow I will run an easy 3 miles and then begins the three weeks of........  TAPER!!!!!!!!!!
I am so ready!  I'm tired out from all this running! 

Runner Nerd
happy taperer

16 weeks

16 weeks from right now, I will be lining up with 39,999 others to run this thing called the Chicago Marathon!!  I'm getting excited. 
I still need to pick a plan and commit to it.  I've been going over a couple of plans from the Chicago Marathon website.  I'm also going over Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan.  I'm pretty sure it was the plan I used for my first 3 marathons.  (My 3rd one is my PR of 4:09)

I didn't do my long run yesterday because I'm doing it today at 4pm.  I'm running with the Ironman training group from the gym, same people I do track workouts with on Wednesdays.  They are swimming this morning, I believe they are swimming the Ironman distance of 2.4 miles. They will then be biking 100 miles, they are out there biking right now.  There are a couple people who will be joining them for the last 30 miles of the ride.  After that, they will be running 10 miles and that's when I join in the fun!  I'm running with two men who normally run faster than I do but after a long swim and 100 mile ride won't be moving along normal speed.  They want to stay right around 10 minute miles so that's my job!  It's going to be around 85 degrees when we run and the sun is out and shining brightly today!  This will end their biggest training week, then they will taper for 3 weeks and do their Ironman!  They may be running 20 miles next week, I'm not sure.  If so, I'll probably run along some portion of the 20 but that will be in the  morning.  Today's training is to mimic the actual race day.  They will be running the marathon in the afternoon heat and sun so today they practice in it. 

Runner Nerd
runs with Ironmen

Working on a comeback

This week, running group changed back to Thursdays like it used to be.  Tonight I ran the best I've run in a long time!!  5.5 miles in 52:19 or 9:24 average pace!!  ALL 5 miles were in the 9s!!
When we finished, I was spent but it felt good to push myself again!
It was 34 degrees and no wind so not bad.
I've lost 17 lbs now!!  Pre-college weight is getting close!!
I still have a while until a 16 or 18 week training program would begin.  I'm undecided on how to proceed until that time.  I'm super paranoid of getting my mileage back up because of the plantar fasciitis coming back.  My friend wants me to run a half marathon with her on June 2nd.  That's a week before an 18 week training program would begin.  It would be good to be up to 13 miles but then again, I'm not sure if I should because I'm so paranoid of the PF coming back.  Most plans begin with 6-8 mile long runs the first week. Every now and then I get some soreness in my heel.  It's nothing like when it was bad but it scares me.  Saturday night, it was letting me know it was there so I wore my splint to bed which I haven't done in a long time.  Sunday it was fine but I decided not to run.  I researched rowing machine workouts.  I found some you tube videos made by two gals on the USA Olympic rowing team.  They showed how to use a rowing machine and proper form and how to row.  I guess that should be a reliable source!  I found a "beginner" 20 minute workout.  It's much harder than it looks!!  It took me some time to get the hang of the form.  I could not get to the speeds in the beginner workout.  After I finished the 20 minutes, I just rowed for 10 more minutes.  I was dripping sweat!  I was sore the next day, in fact, I was still sore yesterday when I went back and did another 30 minute workout!  It was easier to get the form this time but it was still a hard workout.  I barely made it through the 20 minutes and by the end of the extra 10 minutes of rowing I was slowing down big time!  I do think rowing machine workouts will be good during marathon training.  I am looking into different things such as elliptical, rowing machine, swimming, biking.  I am thinking of running 4 days per week and cross training 2 days per week.  I hope that it will keep PF from coming back.   I just want to have a really good time with my Sis running the Chicago Marathon, especially after all we went through getting in!!  I saw an e-card on Facebook that said, "I hope running the Chicago Marathon will be easier than registering for the Chicago Marathon!"  Yep, that is how we feel!!

The former world's oldest college student and Valedictorian of her class is still looking for a job.  I've applied for a bunch but have yet to hear anything.  The two places where they were all excited about me when I was doing my clinicals and asked me to let them know when I have my Registered status haven't been back in touch with me after I called them.  Hopefully soon.

Runner Nerd
feeling like a runner again

It's going to be a lottery

The Chicago Marathon announced today that they are going to fill the remaining 15,000 slots with a lottery.  I am so glad that my Sis-in-law and I both managed to register.  I don't know how we did it. 
I saw the announcement on Facebook and the angry comments just flew in!  I spent way too much time reading comments! Many, many, many people said that they had registered but their friend did not get in before the crash or the other way around - their friend was able to register but they weren't. I also read that husbands and wives got one registered but not the other and many stories of some of a group getting in but not the others.   People are saying that if their spouse, friend, etc does not get in through the lottery that they don't want to run and are demanding refunds.  I'm not sure how far they are going to get with demanding a refund but then again, this was an unexpected mess! 
People feel that it's not fair because they were online and ready to go right at noon Chicago time with the 30,000 people who managed to register and now people who weren't trying to register have the same chance as them to get in through the lottery. 

I am just soooooooo happy that we are registered!!!! 

Chicago, here we come!!!!!!

Runner Nerd
got lucky!

Chicago Registration Nightmare

The good news is that I am registered.  Late last night I received an email directly from Chicago Marathon (not Active.com) and the 2nd paragraph (after all the apologies) read: "The fact that you received this email is assurance that you are registered for the 2013 Chicago Marathon even if you did not receive a confirmation from Active.com."  Whew!!
I did receive a confirmation from Active and payment confirmation about 2 hours after I registered.  I have a couple of friends who showed as being registered 3 and 4 times AND had been charged 3 and 4 times too.  I checked my credit card acct online several times after I registered and was only charged once.  My sis-in-law also got the email and was only charged once.
However - today I am showing as being registered 3 times and my sis-in-law is showing as being registered 4 times.  Both of us have rechecked our credit card accounts and have only been charged once so we consider ourselves lucky! 
Every time Chicago Marathon posts an update on Facebook they get hundreds of angry comments.  Most people seem to think that Active.com isn't up to handling an event so big.  I've registered through Active.com many times but I'm pretty sure it was all local smaller events. 
I knew that there would be a very large number of people attempting to register right at noon central time so I expected it to be slow and maybe even have to try several times.  I had that happen both times I registered for a Bayshore event which fills the first day.  It's not unheard of.  A long time ago after I registered for a Race for the Cure, I got charged 3 times and that wasn't even a situation like a race where many try to register at once.  It just happened.  I emailed the race director but that error was already in the process of being corrected.  I actually got a call.  In that case, there was an alert of the same credit card being charged multiple times so it is "human checked" to make sure it's actually 3 separate registrations, which, in this case, wasn't.   So, it DOES happen. 
I know Chicago is a popular marathon and it's one that I've always said I'm going to do someday.  I don't know how many more marathons I'm going to run.  I like halves better.  I wasn't planning on doing a marathon this year but my sis-in-law and I had talked about this for after I was done with school and I'm done with school!  I guess I'm glad that this is the year we do it if it's going to become another event that fills the first day and is hard to get into, especially when people want to run it together and there is the chance that both can't get in.   I will be able to say that I've run Chicago and I won't have to deal with this kind of registration again!! 
CHICAGO HERE WE COME!!!!!!!

Runner Nerd
running Chicago as 3 people!!

I'm in!! I have plans for October 13th!!!

I'm IN!!  I registered for the Chicago Marathon today! 
What a process!!  I began promptly at 1pm Eastern time.  I had to refresh the screen 3 times before the registration button was there.  It took until 2:28 pm to get registered.  I'm not sure how many times I entered my name, address, email, phone#, estimated time, clicked the box for 1st Chicago marathon, and a bunch of other stuff and then clicking the I'm over 18 box, no refunds box and then did not get to the payment page.  I finally did get through to the payment info page but had to do that 3 times before I finally got the message: "please wait while we process your payment, this may take up to 3 minutes"  It took more than 3 minutes but, finally, I got the confirmation screen!!! 
It took another hour before my sister-in-law got registered.  Her and I are planning to run this together.  I wasn't sure if I should panic or not.  I had been researching and found out that last year the marathon filled in 6 days and the year before in 10 days.  I know that doesn't mean anything; this could be the year that it fills in 1 day.  Hopefully, it was just a rush of 10,000 or so people trying to be first to register!  The cap is 45000.  They ended up closing registration for a short while to "resolve the issues", as if nobody expected it!!! 
Tonight is running group; I can't wait to get there and tell everyone that I registered for Chicago!!!
It's going to be cold and windy tonight, oh yippie. 

Runner Nerd
registered for Chicago

I lost something

I lost something.  I am going to lose more of it.  I don't ever want to find it.  I don't ever want it to find me again! 
I've mentioned several times over the last two years of my world's oldest college student adventure that I have gained weight.  First it was 5 lbs and then 8 and then 10 and then 15.  I'm sure glad that RT school was only 2 years.  I was determined to be back to my pre-college weight by the time I went to Key West.  Well, didn't happen.  I was down 10 lbs but still had more to lose.  I gained 5 while in Key West and that's fine because I was on vacation and it was one big splurge!! My running mileage was down when I was still a part-time student taking my pre-reqs but I was still running more days per week than not.  Once I started the program and was full time, the mileage really went down.  I used to run 25 - 30 miles per week and since RT school began, it's been more like 10 - 12 and sometimes even less than that.  I had to give up Tuesday night running group during the whole winter semester of 2012 due to night shift ICU clinical.  The first half of the fall semester 2012 also involved night clinicals so no running group. 
While I was in Key West enjoying huge seafood meals, huge cookies and daily ice cream I was also seriously thinking about getting serious about the need to lose this college weight.  I knew that February 19th was rapidly approaching.  What's February 19th have to do with anything??  Well, in the summer of 2011 while I was on my short break from classes, my sisters and I had a sister vacation in the upper peninsula of Michigan where our parents live.  My sister-in-law asked me if I'd ever be interested in running the Chicago Marathon!  She grew up in Chicago but has never run the marathon there.  Of course I wanted to run it!!  At the time, it seemed forever away but now here it is approaching registration! 
I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.  I achieved that many years ago after a weight gain after finishing college (the first time) and entering the real world.  If I remember right, I lost 22 lbs to reach my goal and become a lifetime member.  Not exactly a huge weight loss but enough to join Weight Watchers.  Several months back, a blog that I read called "Runs for Cookies" began talking about Weight Watchers new program called Points Plus.  This woman had lost over 100 lbs over 2 years ago and was going through a rough patch in maintaining her loss even though she had trained for a marathon over the summer.  She went back to following the Weight Watchers plan.  As a lifetime member, I am able to receive the materials for any new program revisions they come out with so I went to a meeting.  I think this was in October or November.  I got the materials for the new program and was following it on and off.  After graduation, I decided to really get going and keep track of my meals and points and it is paying off!  I'm almost back to pre-college weight!  I'm not exactly sure what I weighed as I hadn't weighed myself for a long time.  I just go by how my clothes feel.  I know when it's time to put a halt on pigging out but I was always running 25 - 30 miles per week so that was enough. 
Well, anyway, this Weight Watcher thing has been working and I'm steadily losing the pounds!! I can wear one of the pairs of jeans that I was wearing when I started the RT program, the other 2 fit but they aren't public worthy yet!!  I have a few more lbs to go before I could wear them in public!  I am wearing 2 other pair that I bought somewhere along the way because the others were too tight. 
So, there you have it - my weight loss report!  I know nobody reads this but I feel like now I've admitted my problem, so to speak, and I have to update my progress as time goes by.  I know that it will not be any fun at all in Chicago in October if I don't get the weight off well before the training begins.  I am already noticing some improvement in my running but I am also still turtle slow.  I really want to get back to 9:30 miles being an easy, conversational pace.  Right now 10:30 is not conversational pace, a few words but not conversation.  That's pathetic. 
So, tomorrow is the big day!!  Registration for Chicago Marathon opens at noon Chicago time so 1pm for me and 10am for my California sis-in-law!   I posted on Facebook today and she answered that she is ready to register! 

Runner Nerd
ready to register