Last October, I signed up for the Chicago Marathon. One of the things I like about signing up for these races is that it gives my family an excuse to travel and explore new cities.
Instead of making the long drive, which would be even worse after running a marathon, we splurged and flew out of University Park Airport. This was also going to be the first time my kids would fly on an airplane. Needless to say, they were excited to be flying on a plane. Watching daddy run another marathon… eh, not so much.
We waited around with a few friends who were waiting for their plane because heavy morning fog caused a backlog of flights incoming flights. Lucky for us, ours was the first one to board and takeoff. My kids loved sitting by the window and looking at the clouds. My son’s ears bothered him a little bit on the descent into Chicago in spite of giving him half a pack of gum.
Once we got our bags, we were introduced to our awkwardly quiet Uber driver for the 40-minute ride to our hotel. Small talk wasn’t happening for him, until I mentioned to my wife about taking the subway to the expo. Our driver piped up, “Don’t take the subway. Very dirty. You take Uber.” Well of course he said that.
After a clean ride on the subway, we made our way around the impressively large expo. I wasn’t too impressed with the Nike Chicago Marathon race shirt, especially for it being a World Major Marathon. We left the expo and had some dinner at Pizano’s. I didn’t care where we ate, but when in Chicago, I wanted to get some deep dish pizza! First impression: not too bad. The crust was a little too crunchy for me, but it was decent. I’d give it a solid 6.1.
The next morning I went for a run along the waterfront with some of my Hyland’s teammates. It was great to catch up with them and reminisce about our experience from Boston last year. It was honestly like a family reunion. We picked right back up where we left off from a year and a half ago.
Saturday afternoon my family and I headed back into the city. On our way, we noticed our subway train went right by Wrigley Field. That forced us to take a mini-detour to check out the stadium. It was really cool to see the outside of the stadium and its various statues. Hopefully we can come back to check out a game there some time.
Then we headed for Millennium Park to check out the Cloud Gate sculpture, known as “The Bean.” I don’t get the draw associated with it, but there were a ton of people there. Near The Bean we found a park for the kids to play in for a while and then we headed back to our hotel. Since I’m on the thrifty side, our hotel was about a 40-minute subway ride into the city. I felt bad we couldn’t do more in the city but after playing in the park for an hour, I don’t think the kids minded, although my daughter was bummed that we couldn’t see ‘Peppa Pig Live’ as we walked past the Chicago Theater.
Dinner was yet again deep dish pizza. This time it was from Giordano’s, which is supposedly the best Chicago deep dish pizza according to my friend and assistant marching band director, Matt Nelson. Giordano’s didn’t disappoint. It was really good with super gooey cheese. I’d give it a 9.1. It was also by far the densest slice of pizza I have ever had. In fact, when the waitress brought out our pizza and placed it on the holder, she told me to serve a slice from the front because if you choose one from the back, the pizza could flip itself over onto the table. Pizza physics, who knew?
We walked back to our hotel after stopping by the small beach area off of Lake Michigan. According to my daughter, that was her favorite part of the trip. Apparently daddy running for a long time isn’t that exciting. At the hotel the kids watched a movie while my wife and I prepared for race day. Penn State was playing Iowa at night. Normally this would be a problem to stay up this late the night before a marathon, but with the time zone change it wasn’t too bad. I could get used to Penn State night games being done by 9:30 p.m.
Race morning was a very dark o’clock wake up call. Like typical, I got ready in the bathroom so not to wake up the wife and kids. Then I headed to the subway at 5:30 a.m. Let’s just say there are some very interesting characters who ride the subway in Chicago at that time in the morning. Luckily, as we got closer to the start line more runners started getting on. One of my Hyland’s teammates, Kirstin, got on at the stop after mine. Being able to ride with a Hyland’s teammate calmed any nerves we might have had before the race.
We got into the runner’s village near Millennium Park so I could drop off my bag and then wait in the slowest line for a porta potty ever. I managed to make it to my corral with about two minutes to spare. Somehow in the sea of 45,000 runners, I found Mike Renz in our corral. We ran together for about the first tenth of a mile until he said, “I think I’ll start with some 6:45 miles and go from there.” Ok, Renz, you go right ahead.
The crowd was amazing for all 26.2 miles — loud, great signs, and very supportive. It was also amazing to see how many international runners were there. I will normally strike up conversations with a few runners along the way, but I didn’t because I didn’t know which language they would respond to.
I knew I didn’t have the legs to go for a personal best so I, for once, enjoyed the race and the crowds. Also, having deep dish pizza the day before the marathon was not the wisest decision. That may have also contributed to the slower than usual pace.
I can confirm that Chicago lived up to its name as the Windy City. I thought the buildings would block the wind coming from the lake. Instead, it created more of a wind tunnel. It was so windy that at one point, a road sign was blown across a road until it smacked into a parked truck.
My wife was a trooper and managed to figure out the subway system by herself, with the help of a very directionally-advanced 9-year-old. She saw me twice which was much appreciated.
I managed to catch up to the ageless wonder, Tom Cali. We chatted briefly and he told me that the other ageless wonder, CJ Wagner, was up ahead. Both of these guys are incredible as they would finish in the top 50 in their age group.
With about a mile to go, and realizing that running two marathons within a month of each other was not the most intelligent thing I’ve ever done, I saw one of my Hyland’s teammates, Jess, up ahead. I tried to catch up to her but she had a solid finishing kick. I finally hobbled over to her after the finish line so we could buddy up to find others. We both agreed that whatever the post-race beer given out was, it was fairly nasty and the bananas weren’t ripe enough. Apparently we both became post-marathon food critics. We eventually found my family after my wife navigated the never-ending maze of closures to find me. After meeting up with a few other friends we began the slow post-marathon walk to the subway station to head back to our hotel.
I wasn’t able to meet up with the other State College runners who ran Chicago, but I’m super proud of how they crushed it. Here is the list of runners from State College who finished the Chicago Marathon:
Mike Zimmerman 2:52:03 – who placed in the top 1,000 runners out of 45,000+. Way to go, Z!
Bob Shaffer 2:56:00 – starting to make sub 3:00 marathons look easy.
Mike Renz 2:59:51
Mary Higgins 3:16:01
CJ Wagner 3:18:52
Tom Cali 3:26:56
Mike Martin 3:37:18
Laura Velasquez 4:01:48
Overall, I enjoyed my time in Chicago. I’d love to go back when it’s warmer and enjoy the city more with my family, especially to check out a Cubs game. And of course, enjoy some more deep dish pizza.
Upcoming Races:
11/2 – 9 a.m. – 3rd Annual Brace Yourself 5k and 1 Mile Kids Run – Schuchert Orthodontics – 1951 Pine Hall Road
Beginning at the offices of Schuchert Orthodontics, this 5k features a nice run through the neighborhoods off of Pine Hall Road. The race benefits “Team Nancy” as Nancy Schuchert is battling a rare form of cancer. Race day registration is from 8-8:30 a.m. at the Schuchert Orthodontics parking lot.
11/2 – 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – DECA Dash Color Run – State College Area High School South Track
The race will mock the idea of a color run where participants will get covered in different color powders throughout the event. All proceeds of this event will be going toward The Anthony Myers Movement.
11/2 – 1 p.m. – Coaches vs. Cancer 5k Run/Walk – PSU Golf Courses Clubhouse
Proceeds from this race benefit the Coaches vs. Cancer Penn State program. Now in its 24th year, the program has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat cancer.
11/3 – 1 p.m. – 10th Annual NVRC Give ‘Em 5! Runs for Veterans – Bellefonte Middle School
This race — either the 5 mile run or the 5k run/walk — benefits the Veterans Assistance Fund. Race day registration and packet pick-up is at noon at the Bellefonte Middle School.
11/9 – 9 a.m. – 19th Annual Big Valley 10k – Maple Grove Mennonite Church 115 Maple Grove Road, Belleville
Organized by the Juniata Valley Striders, the race benefits the Big Valley Ambulance Company and the Juniata Valley Striders. Race day registration opens at 8 a.m.
11/28 – 9 a.m. – 7th Annual NVRC Boalsburg Turkey Trot 5k – Pennsylvania Military Museum
This race is a great way to help counteract your day of gluttony. It benefits the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy’s cross country/track and field program and The Friends of the PA Military Museum. The race begins and ends at the PA Military Museum. Registration can be found here.
11/28 – 9 a.m. – 10th Annual Penns Valley Turkey Trot 5k – Old Gregg School, Spring Mills
Another opportunity to combat the day of turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. This 5k run/walk benefits the Hope Fund of Penns Valley.
