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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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 Posted: 10/09/05 - 16:21 Post subject: Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box
Race Report - LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
The score is settled - the course did not knock me down this year.
Temperature at race time was 51* with winds NE off the lake at 9, 10 mph. This time, the Riff Raff in presence - LC, JU, and JUJR - were able to see me off. But not after we helped numerous runners climb over the fence. They got the race going pretty much on time, and it seemed we got to the finish line a few minutes faster than last year.
Started out quite well, with sub-ten miles in the beginning (quite good given the street is side-to-side people. What you'd expect with 40,000+ - I think that cap was removed a bit). Rather than try my usual dancing through the crowd, I focused on getting a rhythm. Which apparently worked, as I had low nine-minutes splits (and even a couple in the high eight minutes) for over half the race.
First crucial point was where I was clipped last year. I can remember the spot quite well - a nice bend in the path going through the park. I reach it, and nothing happens - so far, so good. Again, I think this was due to the congestion; last year was a little more open room, and hence the runner who spiked me must have tried making a move.
With that hurdle crossed, I was able to actually take in the sights, and of course the signs. One was a picture of a baby with the caption "My Dad Didn't Prepare for This." The race or the kid?  And another at mile nine saying "17 more miles? F*ck That!"
Coming back into the Loop gets you to the half-way point. But after mile 12, as I'm running down La Salle Street are the Riff Raffers with cowbells and signs, yelling there heads off, and I think kind of moving down the street for a few moments. It's fun to get the attention - I got a good view of them and vice versa. I gave them two thumbs up (I think) and rambled on. Just like this report. 
I really surprised myself by not slowing to a walk until the waterstop at the eighteenth mile (I was getting others before then but still running). For some reason I walked, could not have been more than a minute and a half, and never got a good running rhythm back. Fortunately, the total time walking on the course was between 10 and 15 minutes - closer to the former. And while the calves acted up, it wasn't until the last mile and a half, and I was able to work them out by running.
It must be acknowledged here that I had a first in any race ever - I took a bathroom break. In the 25th mile. In a business doorway (the business was luckily out of business). In front of one of Chicago's Finest. Props to the man for understanding. 
I hit the incline down to the finish like the whole race - controlled with no kick. It took eons to get through the runner's area (where I made a stupid motion with my leg and realy cramped - I couldn't step on my foot for five minutes, let alone try to walk. And after another ice age or two, I found the three ladies at Buckingham Fountain. I will leave them to comment on the lack of crowd control.
The race organization truly took several huge steps backward this year - from the White Sox incident, to no crowd control (on or off the course), among other things. Crowd issues aside, again props must be given to the people overall - 99% of them were enthusiastic, and they do get into the race. That is as much a strength of this race as the organization of it. Up unitl this year, anyway.
Partial unofficial stuff from the website:
Time - 4:19:52 (last year 4:44:58 ). Second fastest marathon
Splits -
5K 29:27
10K 58:09
15K missing
20K 1:54:51
Half-way 2:01:05
25K 2:23:37
30K 2:54:38
35K 3:28:04 (this starts to show the loss of the rhythm)
40K 4:04:32
Placings -
Overall 15,712 of 33,010 (website; their e-mail shows 33,012)
Male 10,761 of 18,682
Age 721 of 1,476
Many thanks to Cindy, Deb, and Julie for showing up and actually getting to see me at the start and mid-point. It was certainly a big encouragement. Just the mistakes are mine. I know there are other reports coming that are more anticipated than this one (and that's fine). But this was a good day to be the Retriever.
Now to the post-race party and hopefully another encounter with Deena Kastor! 
Last edited by gretriever on 10/11/05 - 09:22; edited 5 times in total
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Library Chick
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Joined: 17 Feb 2004
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Location: On the Waterfront
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 16:36 Post subject:
Great Race!! It was fun to be able to see you at mile 12; and it was great having Deb and Julie to hang with. Crowd control was awful - including spectators with their 6 children crossing the street in front of the runners  ! Then telling us to "Relax, the kids just want to see the runners.". 
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 16:42 Post subject:
AWESOME!!!
you actually made that sound easy and, after yesterday, i know it's anything but.
 congratulations gretriever. you more than deserved this most excellent time on 26.2 miles! very happy for you.
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Kimba90
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 17:22 Post subject:
Hurray!! I was thinking about you, and the other marathoners, on my run today. For you, I was mainly thinking " I hope gretriever doesn't trip on this race..."
Sounds like you had a helluvagood race!!!! It was great, also, that you were able to actually see the RiffRaff Wimmins  in that crowd!!!!
SO happy for you. Enjoy the festivities.
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roughausen
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 17:33 Post subject:
Congratulations on a great, great race!  Have fun at the party!
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 17:43 Post subject:
Excellent job!  You evened the score on this one! And you didn't need to bail me out. Yet! 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 18:21 Post subject:
Congrats Congrats Congrats!! I thought of you this morning and wish I had been there to cheer you on (or run far far behind ) I'm so glad the "score has been settled" Well done!
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Cappy
Excelent
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 19:04 Post subject:
Great race g-dawg. Nice improvement over last year
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billflu
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 19:44 Post subject:
Nice run! 40,000+... and I thought my 3,000+ race was big
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thooogy
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 21:03 Post subject:
rolling rock is right - you DID make it sound easy (leave out anything important? The dog you had to hurdle over? Groupies throwing panties at you? Anything?)
Good job - enjoy your well-deserved rest. Grab a cold one & put your feet up on the coffee table!
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Posted: 10/09/05 - 22:56 Post subject:
| thooogy wrote: | | rolling rock is right - you DID make it sound easy (leave out anything important? The dog you had to hurdle over? Groupies throwing panties at you? Anything?) |
Memo to self: Suggest and encourage this sort of behavior at future races.
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Posted: 10/10/05 - 06:59 Post subject:
Good job gdawg!
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Noley
AZhat
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Posted: 10/10/05 - 08:09 Post subject:
THE SCORE IS SETTLED...
THE SCORE IS SETTLED...
THE SCORE IS SETTLED!!!!
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Sahara
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Posted: 10/10/05 - 08:09 Post subject:
Congrats!
Great report
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 10/10/05 - 08:42 Post subject:
hooooooooo---ahhh!
That's a good read. Great going G-Dawg!
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