Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the eighth time!

The Chicago Marathon is easily my favourite race, but not necessarily because I always run my best there. It’s the amazing organisation, the wonderful Chicago running community and the celebratory atmosphere that takes over the city on race weekend. Actually, that atmosphere starts long before race day, building throughout the summer as thousands of runners train along the lakefront and out in the suburbs, all towards the same goal.

This year’s marathon was particularly special because, for the first time in several years, I didn’t have to travel to Chicago for race weekend. We live here again! That meant I could enjoy the entire build-up, sleep in my own bed the night before and hop on the El to Grant Park on Sunday morning.

So, how did marathon number eight go?

Training: Making the best of a busy summer

As many of you know, this summer was super busy. Between work, relocating from Washington, DC, to Chicago, a few family commitments and my husband starting a new job, there was a lot going on! Needless to say, it wasn’t my best marathon training cycle. Although I managed some speed work, I didn’t do any tempo runs, which I consider an important part of building the strength and endurance needed to maintain a faster pace over longer distances. My poor coach, Heather (you might know her as @triandrungirl on Instagram), did an amazing job of moving workouts around and adjusting my training as life repeatedly got in the way. But there was only so much we could do! The good news was that I remained consistent with my mileage. I completed almost all my scheduled runs and didn’t miss a single long run. One of the biggest challenges was adjusting to running in Oak Park during the summer. It was hot, and running around the local streets meant constantly stopping at traffic lights and hunting for water fountains. It was difficult to find a rhythm, particularly on longer runs.

When I finally found time to head down to the lakefront in Chicago, everything changed. Suddenly, I could run for miles without stopping, settle into a consistent pace and concentrate on the workout rather than navigating intersections. Even better, all those hot, uncomfortable summer runs seemed to have paid off. As the weather cooled, I felt stronger, my paces improved and I started to quietly feel much more confident about race day. It wasn’t a perfect training cycle, but it was consistent, and sometimes that’s what matters most.

Marathon Weekend: Volunteering, friends and a little celebrity spotting

Race week in Chicago is always exciting, but this year felt even more special because I was already here to enjoy it! I took Thursday afternoon off work to get organised, laying out my race outfit, shoes, gels and everything else I’d need on Sunday. With all the practical things sorted, I could then relax and enjoy the weekend.

On Friday, I volunteered at the Marathon Expo at McCormick Place. I’ve volunteered at the marathon several times now, and I absolutely love it. It’s a wonderful way to give something back to the running community, meet people and soak up the excitement. It’s also a great way to enjoy the expo without spending hours wandering around and buying things I don’t need! This year, I worked at the Runner Solutions desk, helping runners with registration issues, identification questions, name corrections and all sorts of last-minute problems. I had the best time and loved being helpful! I also met hundreds of runners from all over the world, which was really fun. One of the highlights was unexpectedly meeting my Instagram friend Zhenya in person. I had absolutely no idea she’d be there, so it was a lovely surprise to see her as soon as I walked into the volunteer area.

After my shift, I met my coach Heather in person for the very first time which was awesome (Hi, Heather!), collected my own race bib and shirt, found my friend Ashley, and made a fairly speedy exit. We had somewhere to be!

That evening, we had tickets to the live recording of Nobody Asked Us, the podcast hosted by Des Linden and Kara Goucher. This was my third time attending their Chicago marathon weekend recording, and I think it was the most fun yet! I listen to Des and Kara on my long runs throughout the year, so seeing them in person is always a treat. We heard about their plans for marathon weekend, including Kara’s race commentary duties and Des’s own racing goals. They also shared their predictions for the elite races, plenty of running advice and some very funny stories. I particularly love activities like this on marathon weekend because they don’t involve hours of standing or walking around. Sitting in a theatre, laughing with friends and listening to two incredible runners? Perfect marathon preparation! Afterwards, we made a quick exist and headed home for dinner and an early(ish) night.

Saturday: Carbs, Haribo and putting my feet up

The day before a marathon is always deliberately quiet for me. Other than a short shake-out run, I don’t make plans. No sightseeing, no shopping and certainly no spending hours on my feet. Saturday was no different. I headed out for a little shake-out around Oak Park late in the morning, then came home to shower, relax and get everything ready for race day.

I also concentrated on eating plenty throughout the day. Breakfast was oats, lunch was Panera and dinner was pasta, with snacks in between. Most of those snacks came courtesy of a bag of Haribo!

By the evening, everything was ready. My clothes were laid out, my gels were packed and my alarm was set. We headed to bed early, hoping for a decent night’s sleep. It wasn’t quite as long as I’d have liked, but it was perfectly acceptable by pre-marathon standards! We all know that it’s the night before the night before that really counts, right?

Race Morning: A very different commute

On Sunday morning, my husband got up at the same time as me. He was volunteering at one of the aid stations, and headed out with his coffee while I got myself ready. I think that volunteering on race day is such a brilliant way to experience a marathon. You’re part of the action, you get to support thousands of runners and you can really feel the energy of the event. It’s also a wonderful way for non-runners to be involved in race weekend.

Meanwhile, as he headed out to the course, I was having a remarkably efficient morning. I can usually get up, dressed, do my hair and eat breakfast in about 30 minutes, but this year I think I surpassed myself! At exactly 6 am, I headed out into the darkness to catch the El into the city. Normally, the train at that time on a Sunday morning is deathly quiet. Not on marathon morning! It was absolutely packed with runners – I had no idea that so many people in Oak Park run as I don’t see that many out training. I don’t know where they’ve all been, but I’d love to find them for future weekend runs. Thankfully, I managed to get a seat on the train, but only just.

During the 40-minute journey as the sun rose, I gradually woke up and continued my breakfast with a Clif Bar and some Gatorade. Just what you fancy at six in the morning! By the time I arrived at Grant Park, I was awake, energised, well fuelled and ready to go. And the best part? No hotel checkout, no complicated logistics and no worrying about how to get to the start. Just a straightforward journey from home and a two block walk.

The Start: Finding calm in the chaos

The start of the Chicago Marathon is always busy. With so many runners making their way through security, bag check, toilets and corrals, there’s inevitably a fair amount of standing around. Over the years, I’ve learnt to accept that and have made my peace with it. This year, I also made the decision to leave my phone at home. I’ve written separately about why I enjoy racing without my phone, but one of the biggest benefits is just having fewer distractions. No checking messages, no taking photos and no feeling the need to document every moment. I could just concentrate on the race.

I’d packed all my gels into a zip-lock bag, so once I’d passed security and arrived at the corrals, all I needed to do was join the inevitable portapotty queue and organise my pockets. While waiting, I bumped into my wonderful friend Jo, which was a happy surprise. She was aiming for a fast race and went on to do an amazing job! That’s one of the things I love most about Chicago. It’s an enormous international marathon, yet somehow it can still feel like a local race.

In previous years, I’ve started in Wave 1, but this time I was near the front of Wave 2. I was a little disappointed because Wave 2 started 30 minutes later than Wave 1, at 8am, and I knew the second half of the race was likely to be warm. But there’s absolutely no point worrying about something you can’t change – I’ve learned that lesson in the past. Instead, I focused on what I could control: my pacing, hydration and effort.

It was already surprisingly warm at the start. I had a throwaway hoodie on over my race outfit, but my legs were bare, and even after discarding the hoodie, I was still comfortable. Every now and then, a welcome breeze came through the corral to cool us off. Shortly before the start as the national anthem was being sung, I ate a gel for a final carbohydrate boost.

And then it was time to run!

Miles 1–13: Settling in and enjoying Chicago

Thankfully, my race was remarkably uneventful. I loved running through the tunnel at the start, which now has a DJ with loud music and flashing lights, rather than the men peeing against the wall that I remember from previous years (thank goodness that’s over!).

Emerging from the tunnel into the daylight and the roar of the crowds is always one of my favourite moments. The opening miles were crowded, and my pace was a little slower than planned, but I didn’t let it bother me. Instead, I used the opportunity to warm up gradually and settle into the race. I knew the temperature would rise later in the morning, and the last thing I wanted was to go out too fast and fall apart in the second half so I kept things conservative. I was feeling comfortable, my breathing was controlled and I was enjoying being back on the streets of Chicago.

At around mile nine, I spotted a couple of friends cheering and managed to give them a side-five as I passed. It’s amazing how much of a boost a familiar face can give you during a marathon! I continued taking water at every aid station and a gel approximately every 30 minutes, just as I’d planned and by the halfway point, I was still feeling good. I had a little bit of a temptation to pick up the pace, but I reminded myself that there was still a long way to go and that the warmest part of the day was ahead, so I stayed patient. My heart rate was also a little higher than I would’ve liked, which was an added reason to keep it reigned in.

Miles 14-22: Playing the long game.

As I approached mile 17, the sun began to make its presence felt. The temperature was rising, and I could feel the course getting warmer. You can feel the heat rising up off the asphalt and bouncing off the walls of the buildings, and there’s very little shade from the trees in the second half of the course. I tried my best to keep to the shady parts of the streets, to keep as cool as possible. Around this point, I ran past my friend Kevin, who is ridiculously fast and has a 2:31 marathon to his name. I was still feeling strong, and part of me wondered whether I should start pushing a little harder, but I decided against it. I’m really risk adverse in races, probably too much so, but that has also meant that I’ve never had a disaster close to the end.

In the moment, I decided that I’d worked too hard to get to this point to risk blowing up in the final miles. I knew from experience how quickly a marathon can unravel when the temperature rises (Cleveland in 2014 was brutal!), and I wanted to finish feeling strong rather than simply hanging on. Sometimes the smartest racing decision is to resist the temptation to speed up, so I continued at a steady pace, took my gels, drank my water and enjoyed the crowds.

By mile 22, the sun was shining brightly, and the course felt much more exposed. But the crowds – they were AMAZING! In previous years, I remember parts of the final miles being relatively quiet. Not anymore. The neighbourhoods, charities and community groups were out in force, and the noise was incredible. Honestly, even if you wanted to listen to music, I don’t think you’d have been able to hear it! It’s difficult to describe how much energy the spectators bring to the Chicago Marathon. There are millions (literally) of people lining the streets, shouting encouragement, holding signs and cheering for complete strangers and when you’re 22 miles into a marathon, that support means everything. It’s so incredibly kind!

Miles 23–26.2: Time to get moving!

By this point, I was feeling much better than I’d expected. Yes, it was warm, and yes, I was tired, but I wasn’t struggling in the way I’d feared I might. My quads were a little sore, but nothing wild and I knew they’d be fine to the end. I’d been conservative for most of the race, so now it was time to see what I had left. I gradually picked up the pace. Nothing dramatic, just a little faster, a little more effort and a growing sense that I was going to finish strong.

I managed to maintain that slightly quicker pace through the next few miles. Then, with about a mile to go, I decided it was time to empty the tank. I always love the end of the Chicago Marathon. I love that last mile when you’re running in lockstep, alongside so many people who are about to complete their first marathon, reach a new goal, or run a race they’ve been dreaming for years about. I know some runners dread the little climb up Roosevelt, known as Mount Roosevelt, but I actually quite like it. After 26 miles of largely flat roads, seeing the Wrigley Building in the distance and knowing that just before that is the turn and a change in elevation is welcome! There’s also something wonderful about knowing that once you’ve reached the top, you turn the corner and the finish line is right there. I rounded that final corner, saw the finish line flashing in multiple languages, and sprinted towards it. That final stretch was every bit as exhilarating as I remembered. Although I’m always glad to stop running, I’m also always a little sad that it’s over.

The Chicago Marathon, number eight was done!

The Finish: A fast time and a little BQ!

I crossed the finish line feeling so happy. I hadn’t quite achieved the secret A goal I’d been carrying around in the back of my mind, but I’d run my fastest marathon in a long time (3:47:07). Even better, I’d managed a one minute negative split, and a small Boston qualifying time! I know it won’t get me in to Boston for 2028, but it’s nice to have nevertheless. Given the less-than-perfect training cycle, the later start, the heat and the humidity, I was thrilled. More importantly, I’d run a sensible race. I’d managed my effort, fuelled consistently, resisted the temptation to speed up too early and finished strong. There was no dramatic wall, no desperate survival shuffle and no regrets about going out too fast. Just a really enjoyable marathon.

After crossing the line, I made my way through the finish chute, congratulating other runners and sharing in that wonderful post-marathon atmosphere. I love this part of race day! Everyone has their own story, their own challenges and their own reasons for running. Yet for a few minutes, we’re all celebrating together and sharing stories. It’s a lovely little micro-community of exhausted, happy people who have just accomplished something pretty special. I’m also incredibly appreciative of the volunteers who make the Chicago Marathon possible. From the aid stations to the finish area, there are so many people giving up their time to support runners. The medical teams, security staff and volunteers do an extraordinary job, and it’s reassuring to know they’re there if anyone needs help. I collected my prized finisher’s medal and then received an unexpected bonus!

An extra medal to end the season

This year, I’d completed all three events in the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series: the Shamrock Shuffle, the Chicago 13.1 and the Chicago Marathon. That meant I also qualified for a special Distance Series medal!

I hadn’t even realised this was a possibility when I signed up for the races, so receiving an extra medal at the end of my racing season was a lovely surprise.

Two medals for one marathon? I’ll take that! Also, know that if you run all three races, you have confirmed entry for the marathon the following year, so it’s a great way to secure your spot if you’re not a legacy finisher or time qualifier.

Heading Home: No phone, no distractions, just the post-race glow.

Once I’d made my way through the finish area, I headed back towards the ‘El’ for the journey home. My friends were still busy cheering or volunteering, so I had a little window of time to get back, shower and recover. I did my best to rehydrate and eat a few snacks along the way and because I’d left my phone at home, I couldn’t spend the journey taking pictures, checking messages or scrolling through social media. Instead I chatted with people on the train, and looked out of the window for runners who were still out on the course .

Everyone seemed so happy and engaged. There was a real sense of shared achievement, even among complete strangers and it reminded me of why I love marathon running so much. Of course, the finish time matters. I train hard, I set goals and I love seeing what I can achieve. But the marathon is about so much more than the numbers on the clock. It’s about the months of training, the friendships, the volunteers, the spectators, the unexpected conversations, the stories and the incredible feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.

This year’s Chicago Marathon reminded me of all those things.

After a busy and sometimes challenging summer, I was able to run a strong, happy race in the city I love, surrounded by an extraordinary running community. And perhaps best of all, when it was over, I got to go home, have a shower and sleep in my own bed.

Chicago Marathon number eight, you were a good one – see you next year!