Ron Robisch [Bib # 14381], Monrovia, MD

As for my race, I have no mixed feelings: every time I think of the race I get a silly looking grin on my face. I ran with a friend of mine who lives in Evanston. We were basically shooting for 4:30, with the idea that we'd start very slow, then settle into a 9:50 to 10 min pace up until about 18 miles or so, and then just see how we felt at that point. Neither of us had ever done a marathon, so our primary goal was just to finish. My friend (Brad) and I had very different tactics as far as energy replenishment is concerned, and I'm convinced it made a big difference. Brad took no food with him; he counted on seeing his wife or sister at the 5 and 10 mile marks and receiving power bars from them. I, on the other hand, followed the advice of some of the runners in the Chicago Marathon Forum and safety pinned 3 Gu's and a small Power Bar to my shorts. Well, everything went according to plan up until mile 5--but then no sign of Brad's wife or sister (they got off at the wrong el stop!) We kept on pace, I ate a Gu, and I offered Brad one. But, being about the pickiest eater in the world, Brad refused because it was berry flavored! He also refused my Power Bar because it was wild berry!

As the miles went by, we were really enjoying the race--the fans, the runners, the weather--it was great! Mile 10 came along and still no sign of Brad's wife or sister. I kept eating, Brad didn't. (We both did a good job of drinking at every station.) Around mile 16 or so, I could tell Brad was starting to work hard. Up to this point most of our miles were between 9:30 and 10:00. Finally, at mile 18 by that Chinese dragon, Brad's sister appears out of nowhere with a Power Bar for each of us. If she didn't show up then, I really wonder if Brad would have finished. Anyway, we continue and gradually slowed a bit (I don't think we had anymore sub 10 miles after 19). I was getting gradually more sore, but Brad was really starting to labor. At Comiskey Park I really got rejuvinated--more food and the band there just started a rocking version of Helter Skelter. I forgot about how I felt and just let emotion carry me for about five minutes. I was enjoying myself!

During the last 10k, I occasionally felt some really weird twinges in some of my upper leg muscles. I was worried something was going to really spasm, but nothing serious ever happened. Other than that and the expected stiffness at this point, I really still felt pretty good. At about mile 22 Brad fell back a bit, but he kept fighting and about a mile later we were running together again. During that time in between I ran with Hal and the small group that seemed to be right with him. By mile 24 Brad had fallen back again, and I eventually got ahead of Hal. I think I saw Cristina around this time.

The tunnel under McCormick Place was a bit nervewracking to me. I kept my sunglasses on the whole time and was practically blind. OK, so that was stupid. I don't think the thought of taking them off ever even crossed my mind. I was with Hal's group at that time--a bit to his left.

The last 2 miles were the hardest work for me--about 10:20 or 10:30 pace, I think. However, I did manage to rip off a "blistering" 8:00 minute pace for the final .2 miles! I must have felt a dozen twinges in my upper legs during that little kick, but no damage. Officials clocked me at 4:30:11, my marathon proof has me at 4:30:07, but my watch says 4:26:07 (I started it at the startline). Brad finished unofficially at just over 4:30, officially over 4:34. He was forced to walk for about the last mile.

The calf injury which had plagued me twice during training was simply not an issue, even though it was my biggest worry going into the race. Post race soreness was pretty intense, but three days later I started to feel good again. I ran 4.5 miles each on the following Thursday and Friday. Strangely, my knees have felt better since the race than in the prior 2 months!

That's my take on the race. I did the Chicago Marathon, and I couldn't be happier! Tomorrow I run again!