Chicago Race Weekend! 2014

Chicago Marathon~

About 8 months ago I decided to set out on my journey of a second Marathon. This time I choose Chicago! 

   Yes, the Windy City! I've been training for the past 8 months. Running all over the streets of San Diego.

 

Just a few of my training runs. 

      This Thursday my sister and I arrived in the Georgeous City. 

           View from our Hotel. 

We stayed at Hotel Chicago. It's a moderate hotel in a great location. We are able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. Only spent 6 bucks on public transportation the whole trip.

                                                                                Day one we started off at the marathon Expo! 

                Marathon Expo!

 

My sister made a "GO BUNS SIGN".

               Love this !!! 

They had a huge sign that everyone was able to sign. 

                  

            Next Stop Nike Town! 

On our way back to our Hotel room we found the Famous Garrett's Popcorn! You can smell the carmel down the block. Yummy!! 

                       Day Two!

     Some really good pizza! 

Sister Date! Elevator selfies! 

Our Night On The Town.

We visited the Hershey's Store. Yummy! The Cupcake sucked!! How does a Chocolate store sell a dry cupcake:-(

My morning run! Last run before the Big Rave! 

I ran to Navy Pier about 5 miles, there and back.

The city is so Beautiful in the Fall. 

     

I was told Gino's East was the Best! 

             The Crust was Amazing!!

            MARATHON DAY! 

Woke up at 5:00am, so excited to Run this City!

It was a little Chilly this morning, not too bad though. Thank goodness! 

Watching the Sun Rise. 

My starting Corral. 

Around mile 8 I saw my sister holding a Go Buns Sign! 

            Still Running.....26.2 is no joke!! 

FINALLY FINISHED!!! Yay for me!

Black Girls Run!

     Sunday morning we all set off to run, walk, crawl, around Lake Murray for a 6 mile run. Some have never been there and others run the lake daily. 

     It was nice to see so many of us come out and cheer each other on. Some are old friends, some are meeting for the first time. And some of us have been supporting each other for a couple years now. 

    The lake is Beautiful. Especially in the month of October with the georgeous fall leaves.  

     Early morning sunrise

Best part about waking up at 5:00am. Watching the sunrise:-)

     

         

26.2

Yep, on Sunday I will be a 2x Marathoner! Super excited! This has been a lot of training for me. I've put in so many hours of hiking and running. I'm feeling super strong and confidant!!! I'm ready for you Chicago!!! 

Hiking Iron Mountain

I love to be active on the weekends. Part of me is constantly reminded that I use to be a fat girl, and that maybe I'm not as active as I thought. I feel SUPER STRONG HEALTHY!, but something about getting out on the trail, I start to feel not so strong. I think the heat got to me today. I love to wake up early and be active, but I think the old me mentality sometimes kicks in. 

    I feel like I'm constantly reminded that I use to be fat. And I'm ok with that I just feel sometimes, I hold other people back. It sucks to feel strong and then get out on the trail and instantly feel weak minded! 

Ugh,...... The struggle of a fit/ chunky girl

Finally made it to the top! 

Iron Mountain is a Beautiful hike! Make sure you bring tons of water. The hike is only 3 1/2 miles, but is a killer if your not prepared! 

Finally found some shade. 

Hiking

Maria and I waking up the Sun!