Monday, October 5, 2015

The Reality of Race Week & A Taste of Chicago...

It's Officially Race Week for the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and I am ready to...


The last time I was in Chicago it was for my very first half marathon, the ZOOMA Chicago half, in August 2014. This was an awesome event for many reasons, but mostly because my dad flew up from Jamaica to surprise me so that I didn't have to be there alone...
(Photo credit @Enduro. I'm "borrowing" not copying I promise)

Surprisingly enough (or maybe not so much if you know my running history) I went into this half with less than ideal training and coming off an injury that required weeks of physical therapy. It was tough but I got through it. So if that experience is any reflection of what my first full is going to be like I know I'll get through the race on Sunday. It may be a struggle, but at least I'll finish it.

The time before the "Zooma Half" trip, I spent a weekend in Chicago with my twin sister in June 2014...
...and together we discovered what heaven tastes like, in the form of cornbread from Bandera.  

We had fun watching Motown at night...

...and singing with "Tina" during the day...

We also went to visit a childhood "vacation spot" where our grandparents used to live...
(other people live there now so we didn't go inside to check out the old stomping ground)

I remember sending a picture of the house to our family's WhatsApp chat group and it sparked a trip down memory lane. So our mom sent this picture of us as little kids with our grandpa...
(I was pretty focused on eating that popsicle)

Prior to the "Bandera Discovery/Memory Lane" trip I hadn't been to Chicago in years. Six years to be exact. Waaaaay back in June/July 2008 I went to the Windy City for Taste of Chicago with my mom...
(My hair was more colorful back then)
and my twin sister...
(we look more excited about the photo than he does)

and my brother-in-law...
(our reflection in the Bean)

My upcoming trip to Chicago will be Kai's first time in the ChiTown and I'm so excited to take her to see all the amazing sites! I asked her to be in charge of photos on marathon day (which was actually a friend's idea) so that I can focus on not dying while she focuses on capturing snapshots of the event.

Happy Race Week!!!

If you've visited (or live in) Chicago, what's your favorite thing about the city?

If you've run the Chicago Marathon before, what is your favorite thing about the event?
{Feel free to share any and all race tips}

2 comments:

  1. My first marathon was Chicago! Of course, that was WAY back in 1997!! The crowds were great! I really want to run Chicago again one day! Unfortunately, I had to leave Chicago right after the marathon and didn't get to see much of the city, other than while running! Next time I want to stay for a few days! Have FUN!!

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  2. Thanks Pam! I hope you get a chance to run it again soon :)

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