The First Time I thought about Running the Chicago Marathon

I have known marathons existed to some extent, as most people do (unless you’ve failed to ever watch the Olympics).

But, I never EVER thought about running one. In fact, I primarily thought people who did so were crazy. Or just really thin, good runners (traits I didn’t possess: I was stocky and hated running).

One day, at my old job, a co-worker (lets call him “Boston”), came into work on his day off, wearing running shoes that just completed a marathon.

He had my attention. I have always been a fan of working out, and pushing myself. So, naturally something very difficult, virtually unobtainable in my thoughts, was something that interested me.

A year went by.

He started talking about the Chicago Marathon again, and how “anyone can run a marathon.” Ok, he had my attention again.

I quietly started researching running and marathon running. I had typically stuck with treadmill running at the gym, and quickly learned that if i wanted to run a marathon, I’d have to run on … the road! #shutter#

That scared me. It brought me back to my days when I did track and field in high school. Don’t get too excited, I did shot and disc. Running was viewed as punishment mostly.

My first run to test the marathon waters

Boston still had my attention. I wanted to know if I could run a marathon. So, after work, I went home and tied up my cross training shoes (that’s typically what gym go-ers wore), and went for a run.

I wanted to run for as long as I could. Just to see how long that would be.

You know, to see if I had the guts to actually attempt running a marathon.

I ran 2-3 miles.

It was awful.

LOL! Seriously though, I did NOT enjoy running on the concrete sidewalk. It was not as soft as the nice treadmill at the gym. And, there was wind, and stuff.

I quietly penciled off running a marathon, and never mentioned my trial run to Boston.

Changed Jobs

Five years ago, I changed jobs and shortly after starting, someone asked if I wanted to run a 5K with other co-workers. Of course, I said yes.

Then, I spoke to someone at my new job who had run a marathon. Several of them, in fact.

He told me to read “Born to Run.”

I did.

Then I bought a pair of Vibrams. lol

Then I started analyzing my running form.

Then I read a couple more running books, and one in particular was life changing: Chi Running. I read this book very carefully, and slowly. I took in every word, and further scrutinized my running form. I watched the Chi Running DVD after I read the book.

I started running more.

I joined a local trail running group.

I bought real running shoes, at a local running shoe store.

I learned what the heck my hips were, and how they affected my running.

I kept running.

And running.

And, well the rest is history 🙂