Hi friends! A while back I announced that I was selected from the lottery to participate in the 2018 Chicago Marathon! It’s something that really called to me for a number of reasons: I seek to develop my running skills, continue this fit and healthy lifestyle, and return to a city that I knew would have welcomed me had I moved. Much like the WDW Marathon in January, I wanted to get on here and provide updates to you, my readers, with the good, the bad, and the sweaty. Here goes!

I’m mostly excited to return to Chicago and eat. Seriously. They have some of the best restaurants and meals I have ever eaten, and this is coming from a Boston girl who frequents New York City. But onto the training bit…

Training

Much like the WDW Marathon, I have hired a patient, thoughtful running coach who has paid close attention to my strengths, weaknesses, and pace group. I’m no professional athlete, but I knew if I wanted a chance at an improved running time, I needed to put the work in and push myself beyond my comfort zone, something I’m really not comfortable doing on my own. I need someone else to gently push me and help me realize my potential. I highly recommend professional coaching services if you want someone to nudge you along and keep you honest.

This was my workout last Wednesday. A clear mind, strong legs, and
the will to finish unleashed times I have not yet seen!  I am so excited.

This past week I had a near-perfect training week. It’s silly to say but after weeks of training and higher mileage on the weekends, I’m really starting to see results. They’re small from the outside, but they mean the world to me. I did a treadmill class on Monday, a speed workout on Wednesday, and I ran 12 miles on Saturday in the hottest, most humid conditions to-date this year and survived. I wanted to quit after mile 4 but did not give up. Don’t let yourself give up! I also recently ran the B.A.A. 10K again and cut my time by MINUTES to a 58:20.

I’ll have shorter updates as we go along, but this was the first section of hopefully more successes to come!

I’m comin’ for ya, Lou Malnati’s!

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Thanks for reading, and Will Run for Disney, err trips to Chicago!

Gina