Chicago Marathon - Oct 8th 2023

I loved that report. Well done

Brilliant, Mike, congrats on a fantastic performance. So glad you had an experience as positive as mine the year before. Recover well. 💪

Superb report and what a run! Great strong finish!!

Well there's a blast from the past. How are things, J? 😀

@Bulmers74 Cheers bud - you set the bar for me and showed me what was possible 👍️

Pretty damn amazing run and a great report! Congrats.

I have a GFA place in Chicago, delighted and excited, but also awaiting the Berlin lotto tomorrow, first time ever hoping for a PFO :-). Good luck Thursday🤞

Oh, have the emails started already? My account still shows as Pending Selection

Nothing on my bank account yet :(

Part of me wants to get a PFO, and I'll pay for a spot in Berlin instead, but then I love Chicago, so would love to run this one again

Got my PFO email :(

I've gone from being terrified I'd get both Berlin and Chicago, to getting neither.

Must look into other Autumnal marathons for next year so. Might pay for Berlin via a Tour Group, or do something like Amsterdam

Got my accepted email this afternoon. Hotels are more expensive than I expected having just been to NYC in May. Wife always wanted to go back to Chicago since her J1 so a week has been booked at 3k with free cancellation, I'll be keeping an eye out for deals over the weeks and months. Very keen to get back training and building a good base before the summer marathon block starts.

yeah, very expensive. we booked Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, 2200 for 3 nights on booking.com

Booked the silversmith, 800m from the start line for $950 for 3 nights, but non refundable 🤞🤞

I used the marathon”s own hotel booking site ‘mgeRes’ link posted above ages ago

I've been struggling with a niggle all year so no thoughts of a PB for me. I'm going to drop down to wave 2 and aim for somewhere around 3:40. The next long run should give me an idea if thats achievable.

Training has improved over the last 6 weeks though so I'm now really looking forward to it.

How about you?

Very jealous of everyone doing this race in a few weeks. Definitely will consider doing it again.

on the 11:35 aer lingus flight to Chicago on Friday morning too

just need to get Berlin done first

On the 11.30 Aer Lingus to Chicago too!

Some personal advice for you flying on the Friday

Try to stay on Irish time for the first few days at least.

I was awake at 5am Chicago time on both the Saturday and Sunday morning. Meant I got to the expo nice and early on the Saturday (which was a very smooth experience), and also, getting up at 5am for the marathon was easy on the Sunday

I was staying about 10 or 15 minutes walk away, and I think I was in the 7:50 wave. Anyway, I got there early - maybe around 6am. Lots of people going in at that time, but it was still before the rush, and I strolled in. Long time to wait, but no stress.

I'd definitely bring as much throw away clothes as you feel comfortable with.

I only brought a light top, and was frozen hanging around that early in the morning. If you can bring pants, I'd seriously recommend it.

Saw plenty of people that morning in dressing gowns, and with foil blankets. It's quite cold until the sun comes up

Sunday now has highs of 18c

That would be a bit easier

Weather is starting to look a bit better.

How are all your journey times looking what what wave are you in?. I'm wave 1 starting at 07:30! Suggested arrival is 05:30. The place I'm staying overlooks the park so I'm a few minutes walk.

I did switch starting waves, wasn't as easy to do as it was in other places.

I had to try a few times and eventually got in as part of a larger crowd.

My top tip is when you are going to the toilet for the last time go to the "27th Mile post race party area" there was zero queue. It will be on the top right if you are facing the start line.