The finish (1 of 2)

October 12, 2009 

(NOTE:  This is a two-part post.  I normally limit my post so it will not be a lengthy read and to focus on one message only.) 

The clock read 2:20 am Sunday, October 11.  I had set the alarm for 4:00 am but I am already awake.  My wife is still asleep while I hear Maggie-the beagle snoring at the foot of our bed.  What a dog's life she has.  I went to bed at 8:00 pm but had awaken and could not sleep anymore so I took out my writing pad. 

The house was very quite.  It was still very dark outside.  No wind.  Just stillness.  The last time I had moments like this was when I was still hooked up to my portable chemo pump and could not sleep.  All I hear was the buzzing, every 90 seconds (I counted it in boredom), pumping more chemo drugs.  But tonight there was no buzzing, just me and my thoughts.  It will be a good day. 

So I got dressed.  Made the wife coffee and bagel, while she took Maggie out.  We have to be downtown by 5:00 am because she is a medical volunteer.  I had my usual PBJ sandwich and banana.  I had prepared my clothes ahead and had written my name in front.  I also had a special message to the Kenyans written in the back of my shirt (will tell you about it in part 2 because I need the picture).

Reaching downtown, I helped my wife get registered as a Medical Volunteer and pointed her to the medical tent.  She kissed me good luck and I went to the American Cancer Society tent to get ready.  I was getting cold.  The temp was 32F or 0C getting up to mid-40F by mid-day.  Do I change to my long pants but decided on keeping my shorts, long sleeves, gloves, and hat.  I left my bag at the ACS tent, and there was parade of all ACS charity runners to the start. 

At 7:00 am, I was at the corral for 5 hours 30 minute finish or about 12 minute mile pace.  There were many people all around, runners, families, volunteers, and others.  The corral closed at 7:15 and 45,000 runners were crammed in.  We were packed.  I craned my neck to see forward and you see clothes just flying off being thrown to the side but not reaching.  Mostly sweaters and pants.  People were discarding their warm clothes.  I hear the starting horn.  My adrenalin is up and we inch forward.  As we surge forward I step on discarded clothes. I see runners in costumes too.  I was standing beside a German national on his 19 marathon at age 70's I think.  He was wearing a shirt from NYC marathon.  Wow.

From a far I see this green worm.  As it moved closer to me I had to smile because it reminded me of friends in Scotland.  It was Nessie, Skye, from Loch Ness.  Four guys carrying Nessie on their shoulder for the benefit of cancer research www.Charitableness.co.uk.  Chicago is their 8^th and final race after completing 7 already.  They were in GNR.  How cool is that?  Did you send it here to accompany me run?  When I saw it I decided to run behind them.

So off I go with Nessie.  I love it.

Cheers.

PS:  This is me after the finish.  I felt like Muffs wrap in solar blanket with the medal