Initial report from Sit Down:
A weekend up date will be coming soon!! -Sit down
If you are wondering if I added Illinois to my 50 sitter list, the answer would be "YES".
From Shidingo:
Okay..the full story...
Expo was HUGE and Rich was the main attraction in his 26.2 jacket -
LOTS of attention - everyone wanted their picture taken w/ him!
Hotel was perfectly located at Mile 9- across the street from Walgreens
- where extra gloves, earmuffs and earphones (!) were purchased - up the
street was perfect pasta restaurant - 1/2 block away from a pancake
house (another great "counter" experience!), a salvation army of sorts
where additional clothing for race day was purchased! And close by the
subway - perfect location!
Race start was 30's, spitting rain/snow and Windy! 25-30 MPH wind
gusts. We started w/ lots of layers but quickly came off by mile 2 -
amazing what a little running will do to the body temps! We arrived
early (gee..what a surprise!) but Rich found us a heated tent
(gee...what are the odds of that!) so we hung out and stretched and
stayed warm until it was time to go! Oh, have to add, cab ride to start
was cozy - there were 6 of us PLUS the driver :-) Very squishy :-)
The fans (est. 1.5 million!) were amazing - you had so many fans the
whole way - it was just a beautiful course - what a way to see Chicago!
The bands (21 I think) along the course were GREAT!
My knee started swelling around mile 10 or so and I was more relieved
to see the white medical tent than I was the finish line (TRUE!). An
ice bag, numbing creme and an ace bandage and I was back on course and
smiling all the way (Dan - I remembered that I wanted to be a HAPPY
runner!). I never wanted to quit and I think it was really because it
was just a beautiful run and the fans were just amazing.
Okay - and here's the best part of the race (er....of the day..no..of
the weekend...no...of my LIFE!). At the finish, right after I changed
into warm clothes, Rich said let's take pictures by this banner at the
finish. My friend from Bel Air was with us so he took one of us and
then she took one of Rich and I. Then he said that he got me something
at the merchandise tent and for me to close my eyes. He did tell me to
take off my gloves but nothing registered at that point. He told me to
open my eyes and he was on one knee saying THE most beautiful things and
I was stunned. My fingers were swollen (uh...running 26.2 miles had
something to do w/ that!) so he couldn't fit the ring on my ring finger
but we put it on my pinky! Lots of tears & hugging - clapping from the
spectators behind the fence who witnessed this momentous event!!!
Attached is a pic to w/ go the story - as you can see the word "stunned"
is accurately captured!
The rest was kind of a daze - lots of phone calls to my family (my
parents already knew as Rich asked my dad for his blessing the week
before) - napping was out for me after the race - I too busy talking (no
surprise there!)!
THEN, we went to the Post party - which was just the BEST! Huge tent -
great band - free food and beer - we got 5 tickets to use where we
wanted. Rich wore his 26.2 jacket so he was usually the center of
attention (gee..no surprise there huh?!). The local TV station was
covering the event and of course Rich got noticed! They came over and
talked to him and he told them that we got engaged and they asked if
they could interview us! So...we got interviewed and were on the 10:00
news that night! Rich told them we had a pic capturing the proposal and
they asked us to email the pic so this was on the news too!! I'm asking
for a copy of the show so we can share w/ all!
THEN - yes there's more - we were at the airport the next day, going
through Security, and some guy said to me - hey..i saw you on the news
last night - congratulations! Famous couple huh?!!
So all in all - highly recommend Chicago !!
OH and by the way..I had NO (not a one!) "intestinal" issues before,
during OR after the race - woo hoo. Seems that eating protein bars is
NOT a good idea before running - duh..I had NO idea..... :-)
That's all folks...................
From Sammy:
From the way it is, I am compelled by the happenings of the last few days to say a mighty “CONGRATULATIONS”
in capital and in colors to my lifetime coach! It seems that the windy city has its own magic, I may be
headed there next… a Kenyan fell on his back and went to the Hospital, Rich fell on his knees and went home
with a lot of happiness…
Hail coach sit-down! You are the man!
Sit Down replies:
HEY Sammy- DON'T TELL ANYONE ! I WAS RUNNING WITH THE RING WHEN I LOST IT AT MILE 26.1999999. I WAS ON THE GROUND
LOOKING FOR IT, WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE SOME KENYAN COMES RUNNING BY; SLIPS ON THE RING, HITS HIS HEAD AND WINS THE
RACE. I COULDN'T Cross THE LINE Until I FOUND THE RING. IT TOOK ME 1:35 MINUTES TO FIND IT. AFTER PICKING UP
THE RING, LOSING THOUSANDS OF Positions, I CROSSED THE LINE @ 3:42:44.
PS - REMEMBER - IT'S OUR SECRET (SHHHHHHHH) SIT DOWN
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