"My Chicago Tribune" - I am writing this very quickly in Chicago before moving to next destination San Diego not to lose my insprations while visiting Chicago. Updated detail once returned to Japan.
”オレ"のシカゴトリビューン(シカゴを代表する新聞) - シカゴを離れて気づきを失う前に記載します。詳細は日本帰国後に加筆。
Monday October 10, 2016
Chicago Marathon 2016
First marathon in the U.S. / 自身12戦目、そして初の海外/米国フルマラソン
I have run 11 marathons in Japan. Starting with Tokyo 2007. And then I stopped running due to health incident occurred at age of 35. This was really my turning point in my life. I got to face and accept the reality which I really cannot control by myself. Starting running again at Ekiden(relay) with my colleagues in 2012. And extended my distance ran half marathon in Shonan 97 minutes. And then my second full marathon in 3:45 Tsukuba. Since then I kept running 5 days a week with 2-3 days concecutive run and 1 day interval times 2cycles in a week. Most of the time 30 minutes in the morning before I go to work. Why morning? Because that's the time you can fully control by yourself and can make adjustment to your plan before the day really start.
Why now? / なぜいまなのか？
The timing. I knew this is the timing for one of the divergent point in my life. And it's been just about one fourth of century since I ran in the US back in '80s.
Why Chicago? / シカゴを走るに至ったわけ
This is interesting point.
Why? Because I wanted to run one of the six majors next to Tokyo. Chicago is the only one of six World Marathon Majors(WMM) in Midwest of U.S..
Why? Because I love this area, atmosphere and people here.
Why? Because I had opportunity to go to school in '89-'90 and I liked.
Why? Because I was interested in international culture and wated to put my challenge.
Why? By nature. Probably by music, movie, books I read and stories I heared from international teachers, students at school and inspired.
Ond day before the race day / レース事前準備
I arrived at Chicago O’Hare airport on the Friday of 7th October. This is second time in O’Hare airport, and first time go into Chicago city. I talked with Lena to catch up during my visit. Quality time with interesting conversation. We talked about Dr. Lippert what we learned at the class.
It was very nice walk not just walked to the other same restaurant in Chicago. This was really good because we walked the real race course one day before and this really helped a lot. I was confident enough from the start to 10K since I knew where I was running. If you are runner you know what I mean. This reduces energy consumption in your brain and body. Eco drive! Can save your energy for later in the race which is critical.
Expo in McCormick Center / 恒例のゼッケン受け取り
I took CTA the train in Chicago to pick up bib and everything I need to pickup. It is always exciting to go expo before the race. But usually I try not to stay longer than nacessary since you can easily get tired by walking and taking many pictures since expo attaracts you with something new things. Fortunately I could successfully get my two bibs at the expo. All the logistics are very well organized.
One bib for International 5K run on Saturday one day before the marathon day and another bib for the full marathon on Sunday.
Appointment besides marathon / マラソン以外の用件もついでに済ませます
I took my advantage this time visiting Chicago. Before I leave Tokyo, I've made an appointment for University of Chicago Booth school of business where 15 minutes’ walk from the hotel I stayed. Walking river side walk looking at quite shiny Trump tower on the left hand side. I had serveral conversation with director of their program infront. My purpose was to have conversation around management. 1) I wanted to revisit and validate current condition 2) options to extend to next level of management. We had really good conversation with simple words and powerful questions. It is always common with certain simplicity after solid work of study around the topic. It can be marathon, architecture, and economy or management. Interestingly enough we also talked about the architectures in the city of Chicago how designed after the great Chicago fire in 1871. We could have look into the Chicago River with many architectures out of the window from the meeting room 5th floor of Gleacher Center. 450 North Cityfront Plaza Dr.
International 5K Run / マラソン前日の５キロファンラン
I decided to run this on Saturday which is just one day before the marathon. Because you don’t really know until you run. So I took my advantage again running 5K. There’s always both side by doing things with opportunity cost. Positive side of running 5K is you can test the road and know courses, feel the air atmosphere of the city and can test sprint for 1-2Km and check heartbeat. Negative side is very easy to get tried by running new environment but positive side is more effective. That’s my decision.
The starting point of International 5K Run was by the sculpture of Picasso right in front of the city hall. Chatting with running mates before the 5K Fun Run before start. We're posted in Bank of America Chicago Marathon official page on Facebook. What a complementary.
In the morning on the street
Strees are still dark and sun starting rise at around 7am.
Millenium park
Not only marathon there're so many things to do in Chicago. This is in Millenium park very close to the finish line.
Tuning up - Food / 調整 - 食事
I wanted to have rice, miso soup. So I brought them here from home. Nice to have rice with miso soup just to be comfortable enough to be prepared and settled
The weahter condition / 天候の状況
Temprature wise; Pretty Hot with Chicago Cubs and Chicago marathon. And cool down with President Obama visit Chicago and next president election various stories on TV.
In reality it was cold and warm. Cold in the early morning. Warm in during the race. Cold with the wind. Warm with the running heat. Cold with the water and wind chills muscle the wind through the high skyscrapers in the loop.
City conditions - Cubs doing well this season! / 街の様子 今期カブスが好調！
Sport bar was getting excited with Cubs winning versus Giants! I went there if the race was on Saturday. I decided to watch the game on TV and get ready to my race on Sunday.
The race day / レース当日の様子
I woke up at 2am. Actually naturally woke up. It was a bit early but good. Breakfast 4:30. Miso soup? Oh, why not! I left hotel at 6am. Walked about half an hour and arrived at millennium park 6:30 and security check, drop bag, went to starting corral B at 7:15. The race started at 7:30.
Millennium Park GATE1 for corral A/B/C at 6:30am.
Start
Very smooth. No rash with wide open road. We go into the tunnel keep up with your self to warm up a little bit until 5K or so. Wave start is very good idea with safety first on mind.
First 10K
I knew this course from walking my first day with Lena. Concentration good. Japanese Dram cheer before 10K. Starting feeling the wind from the Lake Michigan.
10-20K
My left heel started having trouble. I realized this was from yesterday. I had 5K running under 20 minutes. It was fine but at the same time I was getting a bit tired from traveling international 12 hours of flight. My hum strong cramped last night before I go to bed. That was one of the sign.
20-25K
Half point I passed in 88 minutes and 30 seconds. Good pace. And my left heel was with me. J I found Elvis Presley on the stage. Cool!
25-30K
Merrill lynch cheer huge dashboard screen was right in front. Enjoyed watching cheers from friends of other runners. I could not find mine due to timing but no issue. Message from my friends are with me.
30-35K
Wind, heat, Gatorade fine. One place I tried to catch power gel my left ham string cramped. Umm. Common.
35-40K
One guy came up to me since I was struggling with cramping at 38k. One guy came to talked right next me I was struggling again at 40k. they all gave me power cheering specifically what I could manage. I noticed their maturity and every level to athletes, runners. I really liked that. I could not run without their cheer.
40K-finish!
With all the crowds right before the last corner. It was just awesome. The real world class race. It’s all about people from my view. I could not even run at the last but they gave me power to move forward. I was trying for negative split and could not achieve this time. But people gave me power for next challenge as well. So I’d like to thank to friendly people here in Chicago and more importantly I respect people in the US who have heart to support other people. I emphasize and could learn a lot from them. Thank you.
The medal with Picasso sculpture / メダルはシカゴ市内にあるピカソの彫刻
This Picasso design we can find in right infront of city hall where International 5K starting point. I really like this design very unique.
Can customize with your original message / 自分仕様にカスタマイズ
Runners can customize medel. With my finishing time 3:04:02 and my original message. 2 nd of 6 WMM.
Split / スプリットタイム
Cheers!!! / ゴールしたら地ビールで乾杯！なまらうまいっしょ！
So tasty! Goose looks pretty! Weather great! People great! Chicago great!
Last but not least / １つ大切なこと
I thank to insprirational messages from you over the world. I really appreciate and this is what I like about sports! Friends from Yakitori-RC, NambanRengo, Yankton HS, Futakotamagawa RC, Coca-Cola, NEC...
Quote with the lights!
It's easy to say but really challenging to make this happen. And I liked that they have this on the building where everyone can recognize before the marathon start. Many of runners thought united I think.
Thank you and see you again! / 感謝、そして、また会いましょう!
