Today I attended the Marathon Expo at McCormick Place where all of the runners go to pick up their running bibs, timing chips, t-shirts and goody bags. There are vendors from a wide variety of sport nutrition companies, race reps, running gear gadgets, shoe companies, etc. who have booths set up that you can visit and pick up samples and buy stuff. Nike has the biggest section because they are the official seller of official Chicago Marathon merchandise.
As I took the escalator up to the exhibition level, I could feel a waive of emotion coming over me. I got teary-eyed just walking over to pick up my timing chip. It has taken a long time to get to this point. I have put a lot of hard work and sacrifice into this effort; and, just like the tag line from Myoplex, I'm "not done yet."
While waiting in line at the Asics booth to meet American Olympic runner Deena Kastor, I met Carola, another first time marathon runner, who came by herself all the way from Chile to run here in the Chicago Marathon. We shared our reasons why we're running the marathon and how emotional it will be for us. We were the last two people to meet Deena before she left. I told Deena that she has been such an inspiration. She wished me well. I was even able to take a picture of Carola and Deena together. It will be a nice memory for her.
"I always loved running ... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens
