Happy Friday! Today I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
In exactly ONE WEEK I’ll be boarding a plane to Chicago. I just got butterflies in my stomach as I typed that! As you all know, I’m SUPER excited for this marathon as I’ve been training for it since May. Yup, almost 20 weeks of training and race day is just over a week away! Since this is a free theme week for Friday Five 2.0, I want to share 5 reasons I’m excited to run the Chicago Marathon!
It’s the 40th Anniversary
Last year I ran the 40th New York City Marathon, and this year I get to run the 40th Chicago Marathon. That’s a pretty weird coincidence – I must like the number 40?! I don’t know exactly what the race has planned, but I just know there will probably be some cool stuff at the Expo and during the race for the 40th anniversary! I also just read this article that all runners celebrating their 40th birthday this year will receive birthday cards and a commemorative patch – how cool is that?!
Chicago Marathon Participant Guide and Ventra Transit Card
You can send me inspirational messages
Who doesn’t need a little inspiration while running a marathon? The Chicago Marathon will have large screen set up in the Bank of America Cheer Zones at miles 13 and 26. You can click here to leave me an inspiration message that I can see on the course. Something along the lines of “There’s pizza after you finish this race” or “You can do it, put your back into it”. I’ll definitely need a good laugh and inspiration to get me through the second half of the race! 🙂
It’s a flat course
As long as the weather cooperates, I feel like this will be a great race for me because it’s flat. I have some goals in mind for the race and I feel like I can achieve them on this course. I’m also hoping that my knees and IT band will stay happy because it’s a flat course 🙂
I love Chicago
Chicago is one of my favorite cities! I participated in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago races in both 2015 and 2016 and I was there this summer for a conference. Even though I have visited 3 times, there’s still some places and restaurants that I want to visit. I feel like there’s always something to do there. I’m also looking forward to running through so many neighborhoods during the marathon.
Meeting up with fellow bloggers/IG friends
I feel like everyone is running this marathon this year! I’m SO looking forward to meeting some of my blogger/Instagram friends in person. Social media is amazing because you can form friendships with people from all across the country/world, and it’s always such a treat to be able to meet these people in person. If you’re running Chicago and want to meet up, please let me know! Here’s what my schedule is looking like so far:
Friday, October 6 – Fly into Chicago in the morning, aiming to be at the Expo by noon and I’ll spend some time there.
Saturday, October 7 – #WeRunSocial Meet up @ 9am (once I have more details, I’ll share on my IG) and possibly a shakeout run if I have enough time.
Bonus: If you’re not running Chicago, but still marathon training, check out this awesome giveaway from InsideTracker!
This giveaway is offering a prize pack to help you achieve great performance on race day (Garmin 935, a Roll Recovery, Nuun and Honey Stinger products, an Ultimate plan from InsideTracker and the cost of a marathon! Giveaway ends on October 8th – GOOD LUCK!!
Chicago will be so much fun! Its definitely a race I want to do some day. How awesome that they will show you messages in the cheer zones!
Right?! I wish all marathons did that with the messages because we all need a little motivation out there at some point!
Flat is good. 🙂 That’s cool about the messages — I’ll have to put my thinking cap on. And it’s always fun to run a raceversary! There, I just made up a word.
I like that new word that you made up, lol! Yeah I think it’s pretty cool about the messages too!
Yay for Chicago! Hopefully Carlee and I will make it to the We Run Social meet up and/or see you at another point. So excited for you. You’ll have a great run!
That would be great! I hope I get to see you both next weekend!
I would love to run Chicago someday. Have a wonderful time!
Thanks so much Megan!
I have never been to chicago but I would love to go someday! I have also never run a marathon but If I did I would most definitely want it to be flat!
I’m a big fan of flat race courses!
I have really enjoyed following along on your journey. I am really excited for you!
Thanks so much! I’m hoping my journey has a great ending next Sunday 🙂
The inspiration board with messages is so cooool! I have not seen that at an event before. I think you got this!
Right?! I’m so looking forward to that part!
I am so very excited for Chicago! This will be my 5th consecutive, which will give me legacy status (no more hoping for a lottery spot!) I too am excited to see what’s in store for the 40th anniversary. I can’t wait to see the medal. I’ll be driving in from the ‘burbs some time on Saturday afternoon so won’t be able to make your morning meetup. Good luck on your race!
It’s so cool that this will be your 5th consecutive Chicago Marathon – how exciting!! I’m also looking forward to seeing the medal!!
So excited for you. One week!!! That’s crazy!!!! You’re going to have so much fun. 🙂
Thanks Rachel! I can’t believe it’s so soon! I’m not freaking out…yet, lol
I cannot believe that Chicago is only a week away! Maybe I’ll see you at the expo? We don’t land at Midway until 1pm, so I don’t expect to arrive at the expo until mid afternoon.
Okay, I’m thinking I’ll probably be at the expo around 12 or 1 so I might not see you there, but we’ll figure out something!
Thanks for letting us know about the giveaway! I just entered. I’d love to win the Garmin!! Have a great time in Chicago!!
No problem – Happy to share!
Love the idea of the inspiration board. I hope you have a wonderful experience!
Thanks so much Elle!
I’ve longed for this for months: the time when I had my marathon over so I can just relax and enjoy cheering for everybody in Chicago! You’re right everything hinges on the weather here. If thee weather is good, the race will be fantastic!
Definitely! I’m hoping that Chicago gets an unexpected cold front that day, lol!
I’m so excited for you! You’re gonna do great!
Thanks so much!
I’m so excited for you- I can’t believe it’s just a week away!! Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather gods are kind to you 🙂
Thanks Michelle! I also can’t believe that its next weekend – so so soon!
This is SOOOO exciting!!! I’ll be thinking of you and doing my best to send good vibes to you and to Momma N so it’s a great day with perfect weather 😉
Thanks Kim! Please send all your good vibes to Momma N – lol!!
This is going to be so much fun and so incredible for you! I think if I ever did another marathon, Chicago would be one of the ones on my list. It’s such a fabulous city and everyone raves about what an incredible race it is.
I hope the week passes quickly for you!
This is definitely a bucket list race for me so I’m super excited!
That cheer sign sounds so cool! If I ever did a marathon I think Chicago would be the one. You’re going to have such a good time!
I love the idea of the cheer sign too!!
Sounds like it’s going to be a great time for you! I love flat courses and meet ups 😉
Thanks Amy! I’m really looking forward to the course 🙂
This is so exciting fo you! All that HARD work will pay off! Hope you have a blast!
Thanks so much Anna! I’m really looking for it!
The 40th anniversary should be awesome. I hope I’ll get to run that race one day. You can’t beat a flat marathon course!
I’m very excited for it!
I got suckered in by Flat & friends.
🙂