| Author |
Topic: Chicago experiences |
SueT48
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-10-2007 10:37 AM
   
I certainly can't call this a race report. Death march might be more accurate. I arrived at the starting corrals around 7:15 in my red singlet, black race ready shorts, black FUG, white anklet socks and red gel Nimbus shoes. Slathered with sunscreen and wearing my Rudy sunglasses, I was in the corrals before I realized that I would have no access to the porta potties. I fought my way back out through the streams of incoming runners and stood in line. Three of the runners waiting in line with me were marathon virgins. One of the three indicated that his longest run had been only 10 miles - he said he didn't like running but that his friends had bet him that he couldn't do a marathon............ It was 77 degrees at this point. It actually felt surreal standing in the start corrals. There wasn't the cold, shivering and stripping of throwaway garments immediately before the race start. I knew this wasn't going to be a race - I had already decided this was going to be a well-supported training run - it wasn't long before I found out how wrong I could be. I finished my first mile at a sub 10:00 minute/mile pace and knew I would have to go much slower if I was going to make it through the whole race. Just before I reached the aid station after the 5K marker, one of the station workers was directing us to keep moving as they had already run out of fluid. I wasn't struggling yet, but, mentally, this was a tremendous blow. I wondered how I was going to finish if this was going to be a recurring theme. I saw a quick stop nearby and thought that I could just pop in and grab a water, but then it dawned on me that I didn't have any money (the last time that this will happen to me). I stopped to visit a tree in Lincoln Park, and as I was making my way back to the course, I saw runners swarming what I thought was a water stop. It turned out to be a group handing out empty water bottles. In my second mistake of the day, I didn't grab one of those. There was an ornamental fountain in the park that was swarming with runners - dunking themselves and drinking the water (ewww!). I saw this phenomenon at a hotel fountain as well. I managed to keep running until mile 6 or 7 when I decided I had better start a walk/run strategy. I was managing a 10 minute run/ 1 minute walk for a few miles. When my heart rate started approaching 180, and the aid stations were consistently out of water, I started running by heart rate. I ran until my heart rate was in the high 170's and then walked until it went back into the low 150's. Somewhere between miles 17 and 18, a policewoman told me to stop running because the race had been called. I thought she was kidding, so I kept going. Shortly thereafter, we started seeing written signs that the race had been canceled, and that we should stop running. At that point, I did stop running. One sign indicated that fluids and bus rides would be available at the next aid station, but this wasn't true. There were no fluids at the next several aid stations - there were cups, so we resorted to drinking from open hydrants. The last couple of aid stations had hot gatorade - yummy! As I was approaching the Roosevelt overpass at the 26 mile marker, two air-conditioned buses loaded with runners pulled up. The runners quickly ran up the hill and sprinted for the finish line to collect their medals. I just chuckled. There were cases and cases of water at the finish (which the organizers were quick to point out). I am angry that the organizers have chosen to put the blame for the fluid shortage on the runners. I suspect that their attorneys have told them to "deny, deny, deny", but blaming the runners is just wrong. Dousing heads and bodies with water is not a new phenomenon - anyone who has experience with warm weather distance races knows that this will occur. I'm a little surprised that they say there were only 300 or so runners treated for heat-related problems. One of the EMT's at an aid station near the end of the race said that there were over 1000 "casualties". I suspect that the 1000 is the more accurate estimate. I'm happy that they made the decision to call off the race, but it's too bad it had to come down to that. At any rate, I'm going to try to find another race in the next month or two so my training wasn't all for naught. In retrospect, I should have bagged the Chicago race and registered for Hartford this weekend, but then I would have missed the Chicago pizza :-).
------------------
Sue
IP: Logged |
rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 10:55 AM
Sue, I was glad to see your post since you were one of our Chicago runners who had not checked in yet. But I am so sorry that your trip turned out so badly. At least you had the good sense to ditch your goal and know that you would get another chance somewhere else. A lot of people who got into trouble were probably those who just didn't know when to quit!I just got a mass email from the RD of the upcoming Grand Rapids Marathon (Oct. 28). Grand Rapids is maybe 150 miles from Chicago, and they're getting so many entries this week from people who couldn't run their BQ times at Chicago that they've expanded their limit by 400 to accomodate them. If you want to come back to Michigan for your attempt at the end of this month, you can probably get your entry in and hopeful and I will see you there (we're both doing the HM)! So again, great to hear another viewpoint of this disastrous event, and best of luck at following up with a successful run! ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
IP: Logged |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:03 AM
Sue, you are a tough runner to have survived at Chicago. You are also smart, adjusting to the circumstances and being able to finish. For years to come, you can tell people you survived the Chicago Marathon of 2007. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:05 AM
Good for you. You ran (and walked) smart, making your own decisions. Yeah, you should have picked up a water bottle when you could, but at least you stayed clear of the fountain water! Thanks also for your candid comments on the race organization. It's great to read a first-hand account. Better luck next time!------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
IP: Logged |
pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:15 AM
Sue,Glad to read your RR. I wanted to know what was occurring behind us. I was ahead of you on the course and did not experience the problems that occurred for you. I think I was just a bit fortunate in my position in the throng. The numbers you list is what I was hearing from folks on the course and immediately after the race, about a thousand runners treated at the medical stations with over 200 transported to hospitals. My RR probably has scrolled over to page 2 by now if you wish to see a slightly different perspective from a bit ahead of you on the course. I'm glad you survived Chicago and are ready to run another marathon soon. I also see on Ilene's/Tammy's race calendar that you are doing the Goofy this January. Maybe we can try to link up there. Once again, glad you survived, Paul
IP: Logged |
hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:16 AM
Sue - I was waiting to hear from you. Thank you for a wonderful account of your experiences in Chicago. I know it is so disappointing to have trained so hard for this and have the let down, but there are lots of marathons in the coming weeks, and you are ready and prepared for one. I don't remember where you live, but there is a big marathon in Columbus, Ohio on 10/21, which would be great timing for you. Chicago would just be another long run, then you would taper again until the 21st. Just a thought.------------------
Holly
IP: Logged |
Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:18 AM
So sorry this was such a terrible experience. Seems like there are all sorts of varied reports, depending on where you were in the race. I hope some post-race investigation and assessment takes place to figure out what went wrong here and how it can be prevented in the future.Glad you're safe.
IP: Logged |
rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 11:18 AM
Sue:
The Breakers
Newport Rhode Island20 October, 2008 Be there or be square
IP: Logged |
dg9
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 12:28 PM
Sue, I'm also very glad to hear from you. What an experience. It must have seemed like a nightmare, passing aid station after aid station with no water. I don't blame you for being angry. Congratulations on getting through it. You're tough. I wish you the best for the next one. {{{{ }}}}
IP: Logged |
evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 12:41 PM
Good job on making the best of it, Sue. You're one of the lucky ones who can say you finished. Those runners who pulled up in the buses to dash to the finish... they really got medals? Hmmm, that doesn't seem right.
Isn't RI real close to you? Take up RCG's suggestion...! You are a tough cookie, glad you're ok.------------------
evanflein
IP: Logged |
huskydon
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 12:43 PM
Sue,I am sorry too that you had to go through such an experience. I can't imagine what it would have been like. The next one will be much much better, no doubt.
IP: Logged |
jtv
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 01:08 PM
Sue,Great job getting to the finish. I would definitely agree that "death march" sounds appropriate. Sorry to hear about the problems at the water stops. I didn't experience that. Good luck in finding another marathon. I am probably going to Philly next month. ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 02:32 PM
Thanks for your report, Sue! I'm glad you're okay. It's great to read your insights as to what was really going on.There's been a lot of talk about many runners not being fully prepared to run a marathon and your story about the guy only running 10 miles prior to this one is a good case in point. He's a good example of "an accident waiting to happen". Sue, I'm confident you'll have a great next marathon, whichever one you choose to enter. Best of luck.
PJ
IP: Logged |
perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 02:51 PM
Sue, thanks for the account! This is the one you'll talk about the most for years to come. Maybe you'll look back at this as your final long, hot training run (unsupported) before your cool marathon. Good luck on your next one!Steve
IP: Logged |
SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 04:11 PM
Thanks, all!!Doug - thanks for the heads up on the Detroit race! I'm glad to hear they are opening it up for the folks who crashed in Chicago. evanflein - yes, everyone got medals. Some of the folks who were diverted ended up at the end of the finish chute and were advised to run the wrong way through the finish chute and then turn around and run across the finish line so their time would be recorded. So the posted times are almost worthless unless the runner was in the front half of the pack and finished under 4 hours or so. jtv - glad to see you made it unscathed and didn't have the water stop problems. My husband also made it through without difficulty. I've been looking at the Philly marathon, but without any knowledge of Philadelphia, I'll like save this one for next year. It will be a good substitute for Chicago. Holly and Rose - good suggestions! The Breakers sounds wonderful from what I can gather from their website. I'm also looking at the possibility of the Cape Cod Marathon on the 28th. I'm thinking that three weeks off might be optimal before tackling another marathon. My immune system took a beating - my musculoskeletal system came through like a champ, but by Monday morning, I had a severe sore throat/upper respiratory symptoms. PJ - I thought about suggesting to the young man that it wasn't too late to rethink the marathon, but he probably wouldn't have listened to a gray-haired motherly figure at that point. A friend of ours decided that he would run Chicago with my husband a few years ago. He didn't train seriously and ended up hurting his knee around mile 9. He actually walked the rest of the race (and lost a toenail in the process). The stupidity of the masses sometimes amazes me. ------------------
Sue
IP: Logged |
MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 08:04 PM
Sue, good to hear from you. It must have been surreal and it's good that the alarms went off for you before the race even started. Smart approach to the race. Glad you made it safe and sound. What an experience....
IP: Logged |
hopeful4ever
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-11-2007 10:15 AM
Sue - you made it through and it'll be a story to tell for years to come! I guess my doctor ran it too and I'm tempted to make an appoinment - fake an illness - just to hear his account of things too!  Doug was referring to the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28 - we will be running the 1/2 marathon - and we'd love to see you there. ~Mary
IP: Logged |
Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-11-2007 01:57 PM
Sue, I hope you've been resting -- what an ordeal that must have been, and hard on your system to cope with the heat & minimal fluids.There are lessons for us here, imbedded in your report!
IP: Logged |
Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-11-2007 03:05 PM
Sue
Hope you are recovering well now after that experience. Good for you to run/walk the way you did to get through. Well done.
IP: Logged |
roy c
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-11-2007 06:47 PM
Sue
You done it when hundreds took the bus. Welldone girl 
Roy
IP: Logged |
smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-12-2007 05:15 AM
Man you're tough.Your RR shows us how a person can keep their cool in extreme situations. Thanks------------------
Have Fartlek - Will Travel, SteveP My User Profile
IP: Logged |
rtravers
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-12-2007 05:20 AM
Wow...I'm so sorry you had to struggle through such a horrific race. Over and over again, I've heard about what a lovely marathon Chicago is...I'm guessing many folks will change their tunes after this year. It's interesting that both Boston and Chicago were hit with unforeseen weather circumstances that made things very difficult for the runners, and that in both cases, race organizers were criticized. But Mother Nature was much crueler to those at Chicago...I'm sorry, and I hope you're able to find another race that will do justice to your training. --Robin
IP: Logged |
hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-12-2007 05:34 AM
Sue - I got hit with that post-marathon cold as well - severely sore throat and some respiratory - within a couple of days, and then it went on to DH and DD. I'm wondering if next time taking high doses of vitamin C immediately after a marathon might help protect against that. Rest up now, and let us know what you decide to do.------------------
Holly
IP: Logged |
SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-12-2007 07:51 AM
Mary - thanks for the clarification. I'll bet the Grand Rapids race will be great. Funds are low after the Chicago expenditure, so I'm going to try to do a race closer to home - something within easy driving distance.Robin - Chicago really is a good race - or has been. My first two marathon experiences there were excellent. I wouldn't discourage anyone from running it next year. The probability of the same thing happening again is pretty low. Holly - I was popping Vitamin C before and immediately after the marathon. My husband was hit hard with the upper respiratory crud immediately following the Chicago Distance Classic and spent a couple of days in bed (very unusual for him). I was trying to avoid the same thing in the marathon. I think perhaps the Vitamin C and zinc tabs may have lessened the severity. Thanks again, all! ------------------
Sue
IP: Logged |
