Chicago Trip

Damien signed up to run the Chicago marathon at the beginning of the year.  It would be our first trip without kids since Natalie was born. I was a little apprehensive...ok a lot apprehensive but I knew I could do it.  After dropping them off at my parent's house, I cried a little but it would be the only time I cried, let me just say that.  I was worried how Natalie would do without me as we have never been apart for more than 4 hours. We are like paper and glue.  I knew that it was good for all of us to have a break.  It would make us stronger.

We got to Chicago early Friday morning and after checking in, we hit up the runner's expo so Damien could get his bib number and other things.  This expo was huge. All kinds of vendors and things to be seen.  Wow.  I even found Damien's name on the Nike wall.

We didn't do too much touristy things as Damien was trying to rest and I was trying to shop. We did manage to get a picture with the larger than life Marilyn Monroe.

We ate some delicious food as a couple, with friends and solo.  Did a little shopping. Got a massage after the race (obviously more for Damien than for me).

The big event though was the marathon.  I tried to find Damien and 3 different points (1 mile, 3 miles and 13 miles). The 1 mile was crazy chaotic. With 50,000 runners, they were all packed in tight. I didn't tell Damien I would be at that point so he didn't know to look for me.  After watching for a while, I trucked on to the 3 mile stop.  Snapples! There's a split in the road.  I stood on the right side and Damien took the left side. We missed each other again.  I joined the race at this point for a block so I could safely cross the runner's traffic. I tried to snap a picture of my "running" the marathon but I only got curb in the picture. Finally at the 13 mile point, did I see him. I got to there early and got a good spot, right after the drink stations.  Then I finally saw him.....

Damien ran for Holiday Heroes which is a local, Chicago charity started by two teenage sisters.  It's awesome.  They go to the local hospitals and cheer up the kids on their birthdays and Christmas with gifts and visits from athletes.  Learn more about the organization here.

Damien's goal was to run the marathon in 4 hours. He was ahead of that goal up until mile 16, then hip fatigue sat in.  He really felt the toll and had to walk a little more than he had hoped.  His final time was 4 hours and 30 minutes.  He did amazing.  We tried to meet up after the race. I went to the Holiday Heroes tent and waited for him but he was too tired to walk back so he went to the Hotel.  Thankfully, I met some really nice people at the tent, including Santa...

Damien said he would never run a marathon, well now that he has, he's checked that off his list and....is already thinking about doing another one!!!  I told him that for every marathon he runs, I will get a tattoo (I was debating one in Chicago but think I have opted out).  I said, so basically it's up to you how many tattoos I get.  :)  Of course I am joking.  Maybe one day the running bug will bite me, but until then, I will stand on the sidelines and cheer him on, like this guy....

I love seeing people run marathons that have fun doing so...

One lady ran the marathon 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant. She finished in 6 hours and 30 minutes and 7 hours later had her baby.  Talk about dedication.

Oh, and the kids, they did great.  Why did I worry?