Race Day

After months of training and preparing, the big day arrived.  It was time to head into downtown Chicago so that we could run the Soldier Field 10 Miler in honor of Comfort Zone Camp.  We took the train down the night before.  We had to be there at 6:30am so had we made the drive the morning of we would have had to leave at 4:30 to give ourselves enough time to drive, park, and get to the start line. 

I wasn't as nervous as I thought when the time came.  The weather couldn't have been better.  The week before the temperature hit nearly 100.  Race day was in the 70's and overcast.  Perfect. 

The first 5 miles were so smooth.  I felt great and I was so pumped by all of the people cheering us on from the sidelines and bridges we were running under.  When we turned the bend at the halfway mark, we stopped for a quick bathroom break.  When I started up again my knee completely gave out. 

The final 5 miles were excruciating.  I was in so much pain that I cried my way through it.  But I knew I had to finish - for the kids and for the loved ones that I've lost.  That is where I drew my strength and I did it....I finished!  My time was nothing to be proud of but I did it.  That definitely called for a celebratory glass of champagne!

When I got home and came down from the rush, I realized how bad my knee was.  Lot of ice and a little contraption my nurse friend loaned me helped me to mend over the following two weeks. 

Next up we've got the Warrior Dash and then the half marathon.  And then?  I may never run again.