Chicago Marathon: Cold Hands, Warm Heart

By Ross Forman

(Sunday, October 11, in Chicago)

The 32^nd annual Chicago Marathon was a case of good news, bad news for me as I was running in my sixth marathon in less than two years.

Scratch that, the Chicago Marathon was alllll good.

I had a time goal and was on pace until about Mile 23 or 24. I ultimately missed by pre-race goal by 7 minutes, so for a split second as I wrote this, I was bummed. But still, I set a PR by about 15 minutes. Meaning, it was my best marathon time of the six I’ve run.

It also was the coldest.

The temperature when the race kicked off at 7:30 a.m., was 33 degrees. The thermometer eventually hit the low-50s and the sun shined. Sure, ideal running weather, but cold nonetheless.

My finger tips were numb for about three-quarters of the race, and even for an hour or so after crossing the finish line. So much for the snazzy black cotton gloves that I bought for $10 at the Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, held Friday and Saturday at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

The Chicago Marathon was everything I hoped it would be, a weekend-long spectacle that I never will forget. Just consider:

- 19,444 registered female runners.

- 25,056 registered male runners.

- 34,792 started.

- 33,411 finished.

- There were 291 runners from Brazil – and I had to laugh at the fan, who was serving as a DJ in his area on the course, who broadcast, “Don’t trip the Brazilian; it wasn’t his fault that we lost the (2016) Olympics.”

- Among the countries with one entrant were: Albania, Bangladesh, Egypt, Gabon, Fiji, Jordan, Namibia, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

- 114 countries were represented, for 6,232 runners.

- Following Illinois, the most domestic runners were from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The fewest came from Hawaii, North Dakota and Wyoming (21 each).

I had an emotional, spirited Pasta Party on Friday night with the entourage from the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, held at a church located at Mile 14 on the course.

Saturday was a pasta dinner at Rob’s for my marathon group of 5, along with some family and friends. Then it was an early bed-time at the Chicago Hilton, located steps away from the Starting Line.

Come Sunday, I knew I was running solo since Chuck, David and Ernie opted for a different pace. No worries, I thought, since I train so much year-round by myself, so, I knew running the marathon by myself wouldn’t be a problem. Good thing for the iPod and the estimated 1.5 million fans who spanned the course in support of those of us willing to run 26.2 miles on a Sunday morning.

Including my dad, who I spotted at Mile 4, then Aunt Linda and Bob at about Mile 10.

What and who else did I see on my 26.2 mile journey? Let’s see …

- Signs featuring Hulk Hogan and Susan Boyle, among others.

- Cups of beer offered to runners at about Mile 20. I did not indulge.

- Music in Pilsen that was incredibly loud.

- Runners in New Mexico shirts, so I had to wonder if they were from Las Cruces, my old stomping grounds.

- Two sets of female-impersonating cheerleaders along Broadway in Lakeview.

- The United Center and U.S. Cellular Field.

- The water was ice-cold; it tasted great.

- I ran with Yurbuds earphones (http://www.yurbuds.com/) which I purchased at the Expo. I’d give ‘em a grade of a ‘C.’ Though company COO Richard Daniels gives a great presentation and I do think they work, they just didn’t Sunday for me. First, I wasn’t certain exactly how to get the fitted rubbery piece onto the ear-phone and ultimately I had trouble with the left one; I now know how to use them and look forward to using them in the future.

- Dan spotted me at about Mile 22 and ran with me for 5 or 10 minutes. I needed his encouragement at that point; that helped.

- I urinated only once, next to a tree near Mile 17 and not far from a female squatting behind a bush.

- Ryan was supposed to have Rice Krispie treats for me after the marathon. He didn’t, but hopefully because he ate all of them himself after finishing in under 3:30. Congrats, Ryan.

- Congratulations to everyone else who finished, including Joe and Carlos, and of course Rob (sub-4), David (his first), Ernie (nailing his goal time, 4:59) and Chuck. And don’t worry, Chuck, you won’t hear that I beat you by more than 30 minutes for two years, as we’ve been hearing it from you.

I’ve said it before and will say it again, running a marathon isn’t for everyone. But everyone can do one, and should. I’m a strong supporter of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. Chicagoans definitely should give it a run – great program, exceptional coaches and a worthwhile cause.

Next up for me on the Marathon trail: the 37th annual

Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 13. I know there won’t be any talk of cold temps at that race.

Thanks for your support,
Ross.