Run Like A Rockstar: Reflections on the Chicago Marathon
by, Joelle Reeves
Talking about success is great but I think it's important to share our near misses, misses and complete disasters too! Not achieving our goals is not a failure, it's how we deal with them and grow from them that matters.
I ran the Chicago Marathon earlier this month. At the time I thought it was a complete disaster but I'm realising that I dealt with it in a way that makes me proud.
On paper this race was a mess, I crashed and burned half way and ran the second half much slower than I usually run my slowest of social runs. In reality I learned so much about my own ego and self determination which is my priceless takeaway from this. Don't get me wrong, I'm annoyed that I didn't have the race I planned, but does it really matter?.......NO!
“ Not achieving our goals is not a failure, it’s how we deal with them and grow from them that matters. ”
To put my race in brief context, I had a baby 10 months ago and have worked hard to get into Marathon shape. I personally think I'm better suited to shorter distances but I know I've got more potential in the Marathon so I'm going to keep trying (for now!) This was Marathon #3.
I didn't set out thinking I'd PR and beat my 2:55:08 achievement from CIM 2019, but from the work I'd done, I was pretty confident I could run a strong sub 3. Race day arrived and everything had gone to plan, my training cycle was great and I'd had an amazing time along the way. I felt I'd gone from strength to strength, raising the bar along the way and enjoying the challenge.
Joelle and Chris running the Chicago Marathon this October. Photo Courtesy of MarathonFoto
I'm privileged to have had a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. I was physically able to run as long as I was mindful of and kind to my recovering body. To train for this Marathon meant waking up 1 hour before I needed to leave the house to breastfeed my baby and replenish the calories I'd already burnt before I'd stepped out the door. For those who don't know, breastfeeding is exhausting, it burns 500+ calories per day and makes you soooo thirsty. Shout out to all the running Mommas, you are all my heros.
“To train for this Marathon meant waking up 1 hour before I needed to leave the house to breastfeed my baby and replenish the calories I’d already burnt before I’d stepped out the door. ”
Back to the race, my first six miles were interesting. My legs and lungs barely noticed I was racing but I had stitch. I assumed it was my banana going down and knew that was nothing to worry about. By mile 10 the pain was growing and I realised it wasn't stitch and I just felt awful. My running partner for the day Chris Fischer noticed I wasn't doing ok. We agreed I would hang in there. I was probably just hitting an early wall and I'd be on the other side of this feeling soon. My pace had dropped a little but we were still on track, the slight drop in speed was redeemable. This pace was (usually) completely in my comfort zone. By half way, the pain in my abdomen was telling me I could not sustain this pace for another half. After fighting myself for 13 miles, I realised my race was over.
I stopped (for the first time ever in a race) and reset my ambitions. With a pep talk from Chris and a very small cry, I decided to continue at a pace I could handle. I was no longer aiming for a time, I'd simply enjoy a long run with a good friend surrounded by amazing people. For a split second I thought of quitting but I realised that to quit would be to let my ego win. I wasn't in the kind of pain that was causing damage so to quit would have been because I was unable to handle the idea of a sub par performance.
After raising some cheers from the crowd to help me on my way, I decided "if you can’t run fast, run like a rockstar!". So whenever possible I cheered with the crowds and got enormous roars in return, I smiled at anyone who looked my way and I cheered any supporters, any runner who passed me or needed my help. The pain was still overpowering at times and I had to stop more often than I'd have liked but we made it to the end. I was 25 minutes slower than what should have been very achievable but I crossed the finish line with a smile. Marathon #3 was in the bank!
Joelle Crossing the finish line of the 2021 Chicago Marathon. Photo Courtesy of MarathonFoto
After a glorious barefoot walk back to my hotel (Chicago streets are insanely clean compared to NYC!!!) I called my husband Ben. This was the first time I realised I wasn't the only person to have crashed out of the race that day. I hate that friends had experienced an equally painful race but I guess it helped me understand what had happened to me.
I have so many takeaways from this race, here are a few;
-No training goes to waste. I worked so hard this cycle. Harder than I ever have before. This might not have got me the marathon I'd have liked but I'm feeling so strong and confident 10 months after giving birth to my beautiful baby boy.
Chris and Joelle post-marathon. Photo Courtesy of MarathonFoto
-Children will always keep you real. On the Monday morning, I saw my 4 year old daughter for the first time since the race. Her first words to me were "but mommy, why did you run so slow". I'm glad to teach her about resilience and how we learn from our failures, but OUCH! Say it like it is a kid! haha! *
- It really is about the journey. During this training cycle I've made new friends, solidified existing friendships and had the pleasure of running side by side with some very inspiring people. I've seen beautiful sunrises and adventured around a Brooklyn that is still waking from the night before. This time of day is precious and exhilarating and one I've only discovered since becoming a runner.
Thank you to all those of you I've had the pleasure to run with. Let's see where the next training cycle takes us!
*I'm throwing zero shade on other people's marathon times here. I know that I ran some people's dream race time. A marathon is an amazing achievement regardless of pace.......And anyway this is my four year old's opinion, discuss it with her if you have an issue! haha!
Text by: Joelle Reeves (she/her)
Photos by: MarathonFoto
Produced by: Rachael DePalma (she/her)
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