*The name of the person involved has
been kept anonymous out of respect for privacy*
I had first heard of the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon while on vacation in 2012. I met a fellow runner in
the lobby of the resort I was staying at. During our conversation it was
discovered we are both runners and we remained in that lobby at least 2 hours
discussing races, trainings; the works. We both had only run half marathons at
that point. We made arrangements to go on a run together the next morning. Before
we parted ways he mentioned a trip he took to Chicago for his birthday. He had made the Chicago Half Marathon and
Marathon a part of his birthday trip. At the time I had never thought about
running a marathon. I was still keeping to my 13.1 mile races and 10Ks. We
finally went on our separate ways and met up for our morning run.
It was a short 3 mile run but was
torture because of the grueling desert heat. It felt like my insides were on
fire. He didn't have water so I gave him one of my bottles along the run. We
hung together for part of the run. He began to fall back. It seems he had a bit
much to drink the night before and the heat combined with the alcohol, had
completely dehydrated him. He began to walk some. He told me to go on ahead and
he would catch up. Ultimately, I
completed the run and had to go back for him. I had a nice tall bottle of water
in hand. We laughed about it later on. We still keep in touch and have even met
up for a race once. I love meeting new
people especially runners. Runners are in a class of their own, a different
breed. In any event, that is how I first heard of the B of A Chicago Marathon.
As I said earlier, running a full
marathon, let alone Bank of America Chicago Marathon, never crossed my mind. It hadn't until this year. It was brought back to my attention by my sister
friend, my soror who is also a marathon runner and body builder. My soror and I
met on the National Black Marathoner’s Association Facebook Organization Page.
We soon after met up for a track workout.
I admit she kicked my butt. I
could tell this was something of a walk in the park for her. She has a very
strong core and powerhouse leg strength from body building. That was a good
workout. I needed someone to run with to make me step up my game. She most
certainly made that happen.
A couple months went by before
hearing from her again. I was glad to receive the call. What I didn't expect
was the request. She asked me if I would run the Bank of America Chicago
Marathon with her. (By this time I had run my first full marathon in December
2012, Rock ‘N’ Roll Vegas Marathon). I actually was honored as well as
surprised she thought of me. Remember we hadn't spoken for a while. She began
to tell me that she had recently been told by her doctor that she would have to
give up running because of a heart condition. That she wants the B Of A Chicago
Marathon to be her last race of the 2013 year. She went on to tell me that she
is still in training for bodybuilding competitions and would begin training
for B of A soon after the bodybuilding competitions were over. I immediately
said yes! This meant giving up my 10 medals from the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon
series. I was going to run 5 marathons to earn not only the 5 medals from doing
all the races but the extra 5 for completing so many within a year. However,
running with my sister friend and soror, in what would be her last race
forever, is more important.
Both of us eagerly waited for the
first day of registration. Knowing it would be difficult to do so with the
thousands of runners that would be registering at the same time. Bank of
America Chicago Marathon is a Boston Qualifier (BQ). It is said to be a very
flat and fast course. Some of everybody from everywhere would be waiting to
register.
Well we were right about the huge
amount of runners registering all at once. There were so many, that the system
crashed. Before it crashed runners were being doubled billed or bounced off the
registration site. Despite the attempts of the registration host, the system
could not be brought back up. Then the email came from B of A registration
host. Registration could not be open until further notice. Those who were
doubled billed had their money refunded and were able to keep their
registration. A second email quickly
came that said the only fair way to fill the left over 1500 slots was to do a
lottery. My sister friend and I were unsure how this would play out. We were
not just running together but rooming together. We talked and decided to go for
the lottery with hopes we both get in. Soon after the lottery opened we quickly
put our names in so not to miss the deadline. We waited. I still didn’t know if
I would officially register if I made it. What if I got in and she didn’t? I
was also worried about being able to afford to go. I had to quickly remind myself this is for
her. Make it happen. Pray on it.
Eventually everyone was contacted by
another email. I got in! I was so excited. I didn’t register right away. I
wanted to call my soror first to see if she made it in also. There was a deadline given to sign up. So I
had time. I called; luckily she was available to answer her phone. THANK GOD! She made it in also. We were both happy we
could exhale. Next, find a hotel closest to the start and air travel.
I never knew when I would run another
marathon. I knew I wanted to. It seems this one is meant to be. I'm so glad she
asked me to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with her. I wouldn't have
thought of registering if it wasn't for my sister friend...my soror and fellow
runner.
Even though I rejoice in this news, I
am saddened that my soror will no longer be able to pound pavement or kick up
dust on the trails. I will use my legs to carry her with me on the roads,
trails and all weather tracks. I don't know if I could handle not being able to
run again. I love it so much. The sun on my skin, wind in my hair, cool night
breezes, early morning fresh air and the waves and smiles of other runners as
they speed by me. Running is as much a part of my life as breathing. It is one
of the very few things that make me happy and comforts me at the end of a long
day or restless sleep.
Thank you and runner’s love to my
sister friend, my soror and a true runner...An athlete.
~Coach (Sporty Spice) Wells©2013~
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