Chicago Marathon....check!

Well, yesterday was the big day and I survived my very first Chicago Marathon!!  Yesterday, could probably be one of the coolest days of my entire life - thus far.  From waking up well before sunrise, and seeing a few bar flies staggering home, I made it down to Grant Park with Chris to line up with 45,000 other people for the marathon!  It was great to have him down there to help me calm my nerves before the very start of the race.

Running through the city and seeing all of my friends along the way was by far one of the greatest things ever.  I was amazed by the number of people out there cheering everyone along the way and how there wasn't one part of the race where there wasn't someone holding up a sign of encouragement.  Just before Chinatown was probably one of the worst parts of the race.  My legs were starting to tight up and the soles of my feet were really feeling it, however just before turning into Chinatown I saw my traveling cheer group which gave me the extra push to go the last 5 miles.

I finished the race in one piece, which was my main goal.  Probably one of the coolest things I saw just as I was finishing was a man fell about 100M before the end and two medical assistants ran out there and put his arms on their shoulders and helped him cross the finish line.  What was even cooler was that the crowd began clapping and cheering him on as he crossed...it was just like in Cool Runnings! Minus the bobsled and luck egg of course :)  It was great to celebrate with everyone at Jack's after the race as well!

I'd like again to give the biggest THANK YOU to everyone for their support and generous donations to Catholic Charities.  Thanks to all of you we were able to raise $2,180 (actually more thanks to company matching programs).  A special thank you to The Walker's, The Burt's, Jay Feeney and Christina Ridgeway, Chris Kudia for your donations!

Here are a few photos from the race:

Excuse me, but are you running for Australia?

After a serious search after work today between Sports Authority and Niketown, I was finally able to settle on an outfit for the marathon.  I'll be wearing a bright yellow (yes, bright yellow) shirt, with green shorts and a green hat.  So, I pretty much look like I'm running on behalf of the country of Australia.



No, that's not me running, but get the idea?!

I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow, along with details for the marathon such as how to track my progress and places to hang out, cheer and be merry :)

I'd like to say a big THANK YOU! to Chris Hoel, Brittany Turski, Elise Melancon and Cheryl Swinford for your generous donations to Catholic Charities.  Thanks to you, we're going to surpass our goal!

And We're One Week Away!

In officially one week I'll be finished with my very first Chicago Marathon.  The excitement has been building up over the last few weeks, but reality finally set in while I was on an absolutely beautiful 9-mile fall run this morning.  With each stride forward, I'm getting closer and closer!  After my run I cooked a feast for the Bears game, but filled with Buffalo food.  There was plenty of chicken wing dip, chicken finger subs, bacon wrapped dates (thanks, Chris!) and chili to pass around.  Thank goodness I had that run in the morning...  However, while running, I saw a woman rollerblading.  Do you think they'll let me Rollerblade the marathon versus run it? ;)

Yesterday, I went shopping with Chris to pick out my marathon outfit.  I was more than a little bummed to realized the shirt I wanted to wear was a long sleeved shirt and not short.  I'm not sure how much I really want to run 26.2 miles in sleeves.  So, it's off to Sports Authority, Niketown and/or Fleet Feet to figure out what to wear next Sunday.  I'll be sure to find something and let you all know so you can look out for me.  Think bright colors!!

Also, a big THANK YOU!! to Bill Bressie for his generous donation to Catholic Charities.  Thank you everyone for all of your support.  We're almost there! :)

Let the Countdown Begin!!

I can't believe it, but it's almost here!  In 12 very short days, or 288 hours, I'll be starting my very first Chicago Marathon.  Let the countdown begin!

After a jam-packed weekend of events and the rain that never seems to end, I'm taking a canoe to work tomorrow, I went for a nice three mile run this evening to get the legs nice and loose.  I'll have to say I felt pretty good and am looking forward to a six mile run tomorrow.  After discussing with my roomie, and fellow marathon runner, DJ, I'm going to try to change my diet over the next two weeks to just be a bit more careful that I'm putting things in it that can supply me some energy to get through the race.

Now, on to more important things, like my outfit for race day.  I'm thinking of wearing bright so that you'll be able to pick me out of the sea of 45,000 on Sunday.  When I was walking past The Runner's Edge in Andersonville on Saturday I saw some bright pink and bright orange shirts.  What are your thoughts?  Or should I go with something a little more unique?!

Also, for those readers that are interested and have a free moment, please stop by my fundraising page and show some support for the Catholic Charities "Neighbors in Need" program.  Every little bit makes a difference! -  http://www.active.com/donate/catholiccharitieschi/runkatelynrun

A big THANK YOU! to the following for your support of me running the marathon and Catholic Charities, your kindness is truly appreciated - Colleen Calvey, Erin Cohn, Ursula Slotkus

20 Miles...Check!

Well, this was the 2nd biggest weekend of training, I ran 20 miles on Saturday.  To my surprise I actually felt fairly good the entire time, however a little later was another story.  I should really learn to factor in adequate "nap time" between running distances like that and then moving on to my next activity.  However, I think that I'm going to miss the 20 mile diet; it's my only excuse to eat a Big Mac and still be hungry afterwards!

This week will be filled with a few nights of light runs and only 12 miles on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to it

Also, I owe a big THANK YOU! to Aunt Judy & Uncle Jerry, The Weld's, Erinn Corrigan and Minni Nauhria for their generous support to Catholic Charities and my running.  Thanks everyone!

Dearest iPod

Dearest iPod,

It's been a long summer of continuous play and I know that we've had a lot of close calls, you falling under the wheels of the 151 bus comes to mind, but I ask one thing of you...hang on for 25 more days.  Please.  You've been temperamental all summer with turning on and off at your own will and playing only 15 seconds of a song before skipping to the next one, but I need you to hang in there for the big day.  Once October 9th rolls around, I promise I'll keep you in a safe and quiet place.

Keep on playing,

Katelyn

This Saturday will be the big 20 miler along the lakefront.  Hopefully I'll see a few friendly faces out along the way :)

Also, I owe a huge THANK YOU to the following supporters - Mom & Dennis, Brittany & Dave, Nicole Evankovich & Bill Wood.  Thank you for taking the time to support the Catholic Charities and more importantly, thank you for your continuous words of encouragement! 

Help me reach my goal by donating here - http://www.active.com/donate/catholiccharitieschi/runkatelynrun

One Month Away!

Well, after taking a bit of a hiatus on long runs to take a much needed and extremely fun trip out to Colorado to go hiking and camping, and then I had the pleasure last month of pulling my hamstring (which has made training interesting for sure).

The marathon is officially only ONE MONTH away, yay!  So, now it's time to finish the tail end of my training program and prepare for the big day.  Now that I've been looking back on my training over the spring and summer, I can't believe how much fun it's been.  Don't get me wrong, I had my bad runs (and boy were some of them), but overall it's been a great experience and I'm going to miss it to a degree.  Never in my entire life would I expect to feel good after running 18 miles and it's been great running into people along the lake path during the summer.

With the big day less than 30 days away, I have to send a big THANK YOU to pretty much everyone.  I can't believe how supportive my family and friends have been over the last six months.  I truly don't think I could have gotten this far without all of your support and well wishes.  You're all the best!

Also, today's September 10th.  Let's wish Kath (my mom) a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Hope it's a fabulous day!

Here are some photos from Colorado :)  Hiking counts a running, right?!?!