Welcome to Weekly Wrap. Recapping my Chicago Marathon Week! I did not run the marathon this year; I decided just to cheer this year instead. If you haven’t checked out my Berlin Marathon race recap, read it here. Linking up with Holly and Wendy for this Weekly Wrap.
In my opinion, Chicago Marathon week is better than Christmas! The race holds a special place in my heart because it’s my PR course (2016 recap). Last year, I had the added excitement of being a coach for the first time. This year, I had the excitement of being a coach and being on the Nike Windrunners team. SO many wonderful events!
On Wednesday, some November Project friends and I got together to watch a running-themed movie to kick off the Chicago Marathon Week. We watched McFarland USA, a heartwarming movie about a cross-country team. I totally teared up at the end. Disney movies always make me happy cry. To share, I made dark chocolate peanut butter vegan fudge. I’m pretty sure I’m incapable of going somewhere without bringing food.
Friday, I met with one of my out-of-town athletes for the first time in person! She gave me a TON of books to read, which I am hoping to convince my book club to read these next few months. In the evening, EDGE hosted a potluck for the Chicago Marathon training group. The coaches gave speeches and last minute tips for the race. Then, Nike hosted its final pop-up race of the season. It was a 4x800m relay around the Maggie Daley Ribbon. SUCH a fun race!
Saturday morning, I joined the EDGE group for their final shakeout run before the race. Then, the Windrunners got a chance to meet with Elyse Kopecky, one of my culinary idols! She co-authored the cookbook Run Fast. Eat Slow.
We also got a chance to meet Jordan Hasay, Amy Cragg, and Joan Benoit Samuelson. Coach Robyn and Coach Emily moderated a discussion with the three women about all things running related. I loved seeing such inspiring women all in one place!
Then today was the big day! The Chicago Marathon! It was rainy, grey and humid. The EDGE cheer station was a party! We all wore green wigs and DJ Kelsey provided the pump-up tunes. After the Windrunners and some of the EDGE athletes ran by, I headed to mile 22 to join in with November Project. Their cheer station lifted me up so much when I ran in 2016; it was fun to be a part of it this year. My voice is gone now. Ha!
And that’s a wrap! With so many events and such a positive vibe, Chicago Marathon week is my favorite time of year. I’m grateful to have all these wonderful opportunities and to know so many in the running community. Definitely eyeing this marathon again. So don’t be surprised if you see me out there next year! 🙂
Were you out there running the Chicago Marathon this year? Or cheering? Let’s stay in touch! Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.
Happy running,
Becca
What an amazing week. I love living in a big city for the surround sound events around major events
What books did your friend bring? Always after new recommendations
The two that sounded most interesting to me were The Marrow Thieves and American War. The Marrow Thieves is a young adult dystopian novel, where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow. American War takes place in a future where fossil fuel restrictions spark the second U.S. Civil War. I’m finishing up my coaching book now before starting these.
Sounds like a fun week! I have only run smaller races and that’s what I like, but all the events surrounding the big races always sound so fun.
I ran yesterday for the first time since 2011 (have volunteered or spectated in the intervening years) and the course, as a runner, was even BETTER than I remembered!! I loved both the Edge (at Taylor and Halsted) and NP cheering zones! The last time I ran, the back half was pretty empty compared to the first half, but NOT ANYMORE!!! Amazing support throughout – a party the whole way. I loved it so much – thank you for being out there!
Ah congratulations! The NP station was bigger than I remember this year – good to know that the back half had more support in general. Hope you are recovering well!
How cool to meet so many great women!
Someday I hope to actually meet my coach in RL . . . it WILL happen!
Love, love, love McFarland, USA — Disney does the motivational movie right!
I kind of feel the same way about NYC Marathon week! Since I live close to Manhattan (about 45 mins by train) I often go into the city that week for events. This year I’m volunteering at the expo handing out bibs (Thursday), running a 5k (Saturday) and then spectating the race (Sunday). I’m looking forward to it all!! So cool that you were able to be out there and give so much support to so many runners. I’m sure that they appreciated it all. Having run the Chicago Marathon last year, I have to say that the spectators and… Read more »
It’s so great that you were so involved! Coaching and spectating make all the difference for other runners. Love how Nike “paved” that route!
A gal who works in our Chicago office raves about the whole CHI marathon…and she’s never run at all. I’d love to do CHI someday! I have heard so much awesome stuff about it. I totally loved my R’n’R Chi experience a few months ago 😉
It sounds like a wonderful week in Chicago. I DNS’d 2015 but was there in 2016 and definitely felt the FOMO this weekend. It would have been so awesome to be a part of the women’s discussion on Saturday. Thanks for linking!
I was supposed to run Chicago in 2015 but was dealing with an injury so spectated instead. Such a fun race! I must get back there one day…when I start running marathons again! Lol!
I wanted to go down to spectate, but I didn’t have anyone to meet up with! Looks like a lot of fun for you, leading up to the race. I saw Joan Samuelson being interviewed after the race. She said she was able to run with her daughter and was very emotional. Gotta love that!
If my health stays good, don’t be surprised if I run it next year either…
I saw that interview too! She’s so inspiring – I caught a glimpse of her running at mile 18 and the crowd went nuts cheering her on.
What a fun week of events for you! I bet it was a blast to spectate today