| Date added : | 27-Oct-2009 |
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Chicago Marathon Oct 10th Travel day Jesus it feels like the last day of my school holidays as next weekend I have no marathon to run and I am so looking forward to spending time at home as I feel between work and the last few marathons I have none on the road none stop. However up at 2am and drive to Dublin Airport and fly to the windy city Chicago. I arrived in Chicago and went straight to the expo to collect my number as it closes at 6pm. Job done and off to the hotel. Tonight I am staying with 170 guards from Ireland who are over running the marathon and raising money for the Marie Keating foundation, a brilliant organisation And when you think about it, it’s a testament to the woman herself who most of the people have never even meet, however years later after she sadly passed away you have hundreds of runners from Ireland running on her behalf in memory of her and raising money in the hope to help others and maybe one day find a cure-Brilliant!! So meet up with a few of the Guards and we went for food. Then bed-e-bys……. Oct 11th Race Day Up and out at 5am and a quick breakfast. To say it was cold today is a complete understatement, I was completely frozen. In Chicago they ask the runners to be in there pew about 30 minutes before the start so it was a bit challenging for the skinny Heatless people like me. However 7.30am 45,000 runners hi ho off we go. The marathon was very enjoyable. The crowds were great all the way along the course, lots of music, bands, dj’s etc. I never really warmed up though and found it a challenge. I did cross the line in 3hr 18mins and then back for a quick shower in the hotel and then hot footed it out of there to catch the afternoon flight back home. Arrived home the next morning into Dublin then drove to Galway then straight into work. Job done and a great time was had, new friends were made, I caught up with some old friends and Chicago jumps into top 5 position for most well organised and enjoyable marathons to do. Windy City it wasn’t but cold it was but it made a man out of me, finally. J xx
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