One Twenty Five

I could post, and post, and then post some more about Chicago, but as I (and in the theme of my life since the marathon) am so lazy and busy, I’ll just go point form at it:

• I was astonished at how much the city supported the marathon. From the moment I stepped off the plane, to the moment I headed home I heard hundreds of well wishes and good lucks. (The security guys at the airport asked to see my medal and were so impressed. I beamed.)
• The crowds at the marathon blew my mind.  I had heard Chicago supported their marathon (cough unlike-Toronto cough), but it was still beyond my wildest expectations.
• I ran hard (o.k., that’s kind of a lie), and partied hard (o.k., 2nd lie, more like I-drank-a-lot-of-wine-and-sat-hard)
• I want to move to Chicago. (Dear US Immigration Office, I swear I’m cool! I swear! Love E)
• I was lucky enough to spot my parents 4 times on the course. They key was me finding them (my mom had a huge, bright pink sign)
• I went to North Western University and it was beautiful; an American-movie-university-cliche. I’m going to be *that* mother, and force my kids to go there.
• I bought tons of Nike marathon gear, only to lose my white, hooded sweater 3 days after it was purchased —> sooo sad.
• I received TONS of private facebook messages from people from my past when I updated my status, alerting my real life friends and/or people-I-should-delete-on-fb-but-won’t-because-I’ll-then-run-into-them that I, lover of all things tasty, ran a marathon. People are amazing sometimes; I was blown away by their kind words. One of my friends even changed her profile photo to a photo of her in her backyard holding a big sign that read, “Run E, Run!” I think all the support is a sign to how out-of-my-box the whole marathon thing was.
• While I was in Chicago, I hit 3 years at my job.  I got a little pin from The Bank to say thank you. HOW HAS IT BEEN THREE YEARS? OMIGOD?
• I’m going to do a separate post on, “My weight and marathon training,” as well as, “what’s next?” I just need to find the time, which is proving hard as all I want to do is sleep, yet all I’m doing is go-go-go.
• I hardly went shopping in Chicago (WHA?), I just didn’t find the time —> there was too much sightseeing to do. 
• I met up with 4 people from my blog world in Chi-City. Obs there was my encounter with Theodora before the race, Sarah, a reader from Kentucky who ran up next to me during the race and was exactly what I needed between miles 15 and 16, because omigod that stretch was brutal. (Sarah, how was the rest of your run?), another pretty lady from Germany(!), Caro, who I literally bumped into after the run (Caro! I will email you tonight - I have a funny story for you!!) and the ever so lovely Nicole, who I had a tasty lunch with, followed by a rendez-vous down Michigan Avenue with (Nicole, thank you for your email! Check yours tonight)
• Overall there is nothing I can complain about, the entire trip was spectacular, and Chicago will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I was just unpacking* my stuff from Chicago and came across this beauty of a magnet, I bought in Chi-Town, but had forgotten all about. 

I don’t own a car, but if I did…. my God, if I did I’d slap this baby on so hard the car wouldn’t know what hit it.

* stop judging me for unpacking a week late; living out of a suitcase makes me feel exotic (<— lie. I’m just that lazy)

Also, I’m not done with my Chicago posts (I know, I know, but I want to make sure I have everything recorded), but soon I’ll be back to regular “goddammit-I-want-to-lose-weight-but-just-can’t-stop-eating” posts. Oh, and also… tis true, all I wear now is Chicago Marathon gear… because I’m cool like that.

~ The Bean ~

The bean was so fabulous it deserves its own post.

Ps. Question: how bad ass are my ms. paint skills today? Answer: Sooo bad ass.

For obvious reasons, this was my favourite building in the city.

~ Chicago Architecture ~

I went on a lot of tours: architecture boat tour, another boat tour that went through the river and out to the lake, an open bus tour, a walking tour, went up the WillisSears Tower, and up the John Hancock tower.  (If things don’t go as planned, I swear I could move to Chicago and give city tours as I now know so much).

The city is the architect capital of the world for a reason… look at it! The old is mixed with the new to the perfect beat. 

~ Chicago at Night ~

 As I imagine all people do, I fell in love with Chicago while I was there. Every where I looked, a photo was waiting to be taken. 

 I was stunned at how clean the city was, seriously… do you people not chew gum? As there were no black marks on the ground, and I thought it often looked like someone had literally just swept the ground (which I swear to God, I was sitting on the patio of a cute café just off Michigan Avenue, when someone came by sweeping!).  Their roads were also so nice and wide; I felt like it was a stretched out NYC, but without the hustle, bustle and urgency NYC carries with it.

Simply lovely.

~ Crossing the Finish ~

Best. Moment. Ever.

~ More Running Awesome Times ~

~ The Actual Race ~

~ The Night Before ~

Tis true, I’m cool because I always plan everything out. If you’re judging the Imodium, you are obviously not a long distance runner *insert truthful looking smiley face here*