My Chicago Marathon and the whole vacation in Chicago was a fun one. I find Chicago a great and safe city. I have no worries walking by myself anywhere during any time of the day. It probably has something to do with the fact that I grew up in Hong Kong and am used to a big city. I laughed when people told me that I shouldn't walk to McCormick Place (the Convention Centre) to pick up my race package, simply because it's not a safe part of the city. I took the subway (The "L", as the local would call it) around town the day before the marathon and found it the most convenience and inexpensive way to explore the city. I took the train to Chinatown, to the Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Field, and the airport, just about everywhere. Just last night I was walking downtown from 12:30 to 2 in the morning taking pictures. Another night I rode the "L" around midnight. Not a single moment I felt unsafe.

After spending all day Saturday on my feet exploring the city, I was pretty tired by the time we had our RS encounter. But the company was superb. It was great seeing Doc again for the first time since May of 2002. He gave me a bear hug that almost suffocated me! It was also great pleasure meeting Bill in person for the first time, whom I have known for couple years online, as well as Charlie and his wife. Good bunch of guys! Too bad that I didn't get to see Matt this time, nor Lisa.

This being my 15th marathon, one would think I know how to pack for a marathon trip. To my own dismay, I realized the night before the race that I forgot to pack any short sleeve running shirts. And the forecast for the start was high 60's and day high was mid-70's. What was I thinking? So I showed up to meet my friends at their hotel room in a long sleeve shirt. The sun was barely out and it was warm already. Jim looked at me and said "are you crazy?" I said I had no choice. But Jim saved the day and lent me an extra shirt. (Thanks Jim!) This year the race sold out all 40 thousand entries. I am not sure how many actually showed up to run but the start area was jam packed with all the runners and spectators. Since my goal was simply to finish this run, I thought I would try something new for future benefits. For the first time, I ran a marathon without my own water bottle, nor a watch.

If you have never run a big marathon, you must consider. It's so much fun to be part of this one giant moving party for 26mi. However Chicago Marathon gets high marks from me compared to other big marathons that I have done, such as Honolulu or San Diego RnR, simply because the course is actually interesting and beautiful to run. Unlike Honolulu and San Diego, where they put you on the boring expressway most of the ways, in Chicago we ran through downtown, little Italy, Chinatown, a Hispanic district, and some old historic area with beautiful neat houses on both sides of the street! Add to the fun is the estimated one million spectators that line the streets of the entire course. You are really too busy soaking up all the excitement to be worried about your race! Mile after mile it just went by so fast. The next thing I knew I was half way done! I knew I started out way too fast because at about 3mi, I looked to the right and saw the 3:15 pace bunny and among the followers was Bill.

I didn't want to distract him so I didn't wander over and say hi. I ran just behind Bill and his group until about 10K, before I told myself to slow down. I knew I couldn't hold that pace. I crossed the halfway mark at 1:40, which means a 3:20 marathon. I knew once again I couldn't hold that pace. But I was running how my body felt, and it felt fine then. It was really hot now. I walked through every aid station, drinking one cup of Gatorade and two cups of water. By 16mi, fatigue started to kick in. My right calf started tweaking. For the remaining 10mi, I battled with my right calf. Every time it started cramping the slightest, I would walk it off, then run again until it would cramp up again. I took some Tylenols hoping it would go away but never did completely. So one after another, I saw the pace bunnies passed by. 3:20...3:30...3:45. And I finally was able to cross the finish line 3hr50min after I started. Not the greatest by any mean, but given the little training that I put into it, it's faster than I expected.

I highly recommend the Chicago Marathon. Everything was superb. Race expo was great, shuttle bus service was great, lots of free souvenirs: posters, stickers, luggage name tags. Start line and finish line were well organized. And the free post race concert/party in the evening at Navy Pier was simply awesome. Plenty to eat after the race, as well as at the party. Unlike Honolulu!!! I am still mad at the Honolulu marathon after 4 years. In Honolulu, we got one apple and one small cookie. That was it! Or the year I ran Seattle, they had instant noodles/soups there. But no hot water!! Dah!! Now I understand why Chicago keeps selling out every year. They even have newspaper coverage of the marathon BEFORE the race and race day live coverage on the tube. If you don't feel like a super star in Chicago, you will never anywhere else. Chicago knows how to treat the runners right.