This has been quite a year! Last September I got the call from "the line" in Madison. "LP? Are you in?" How could I turn it down? I was to move into a new age group?! I had the girls sign me up, but did not reveal my intentions to my husband, parents, family (or to myself) for 6 months. Thanks to a great group of friends, who covered my carpools, filled in for work obligations, took care of my children and constantly kept me in the loop....I did follow through. I did not throw in the towel. My training partners saved me emotionally and physically. My husband, children and extended family continually encouraged me and put up with my routine. It was not easy. My race number said it all - 2407 - to be read 24-7....was the definition of my life! Saturday morning, September 8, as I registered, I felt a bit sick. What could I do? Probably nerves....I tried to rest and relax. Sunday morning, race day, bright and early, I arrive to my transition space only to find....a flat tire! After being mauled by 2200 people in Lake Menona, I ran up the helix and tried to quickly change my clothes, stop at the portapotty and off on the bike, back down the other helix. I did not lose a water bottle on the bike, even over the bumps. Perfect weather except for the wind - the wind being my only complaint all day. As rode, I tried to "hold on" to moments...to remember. How about the very pregnant woman cheering with "GO DAD!" written in bold black letters across her round, bare belly. Another woman on the bike course cheering while holding a huge poster reading: "I'D STILL BE SWIMMING" It hurt me to laugh! My friends on the bike course put the smile on my face. They moved from spot to spot to see me as much as they could. I was thrilled to be out there. I must admit I could not wait to be on terra firma - a land lover - and I hit the road running. More of my friends covered the run course as well as my parents, hubby and kids - that kept the smile on my face. I was able to hug my children, husband, parents and high five my training buddies. My kids and friends even ran along side me - is that cool or what? As I ran, many thoughts went through my head and many electrolytes through my body. I focused on my core, tried to maintain good form, watched for the mile markers and counted minutes left. I tried to remember how to "feel good". I ran through a side stitch and through a stadium. I trotted along in the street, in a fog. I looked at faces and heard strangers urge me on. About mile 24.5 Bob Mitera spotted me (thanks to my Polar gear) while he bike patrolled. This was a gift. He talked, encouraged, urged and eventually rode on ahead - but what a lucky person I was to have a familiar and inspiring voice at that moment. As I rounded the capital at the end of loop 2, I saw my middle child playing. I yelled to him to run to the finish - I was almost done. Then I saw the finish line...I lifted my leg and did my signature "cartwheel at the finish" in tribute to my humble beginnings as a collegiate gymnast, alumni of Madsion.... WOW! What a thrill!!! On campus at age almost-46 and still going strong. 4th Ironman and the fastest yet - by 23 minutes. As one of my training pals said...like a good wine, better with age. My mantra was "my pain has a purpose" as this year I raced for Lungevity - a lung cancer organization. I never forget how lucky I am to be able to do what I do...my mind is free to dream and my body dreams to follow.... Cheers to a great season...onto the next!
First off let me start by staying that I am honored to be able to write a blog for Team Polar’s website. I have been a teammate with Team Aquaphor for the past two years; this year’s LaSalle’s Chicago Marathon was my 5th marathon. And for the record there has never been and there will be no other like it! For the second consecutive year, Team Polar and Team Aquaphor met in Chicago for an annual team pre-marathon dinner at Italian Village. What a wonderful time! About ten teammates from Team Polar, Team Aquaphor and Team Stay Put attended. Stories, as well as training tips and past events were shared throughout the evening as we enjoyed delicious pasta. Wonderful atmosphere, elite athletes and fine food… it was once again a success. Marathon day, wow… I, as well as 45,000+ runners, will never forget it. The morning started out like ever other one. Get up at the crack of dawn, eat as much of as little food as your body can handle at 
3am and try to drink as much fluids as you possible can and head to the start line. Yes, weather was unseasonably warm; however we have trained in worse temperatures over the summer, so for me I took the necessary precautions and took in some extra salt tablets. The race begins and thousands of us, unexpecting prey, make our way to the start mat. Around mile 6, I started feeling unusually warm, so I began popping extra salt tablets. I was taking 900mg every 2 miles, yes, you heard me, every 2 miles. That seemed to help tremendously! Around mile 19, Ron (Team Polar, my brother) and I noticed that our chip wasn’t beeping when we crossed over the timing mat. He asked, “Do you still have your chip?” I replied, “I think so, do you?” What was going on? We had no idea at this point that the race was cancelled. Yes, the water stations were low on water, people were passing out everywhere. The aid tents were full of runners in need of help. The more we started to look around the more we realized something was indeed wrong. At about mile 22, we hear over a megaphone that the City of Chicago Police had ordered runners to stop running and to walk. WALK! Are you kidding, this is a race I thought. Ron and I were not about to walk; we were almost there. At mile 25.5, a police barricade lined the street 
ordering people to walk or you would not get a metal or be permitted to race next year. No way were we walking! We had a left turn, up the famous final hill and down the final stretch. So we darted around the police barricade and charged up the hill. Waiting around the corner, down the final stretch, volunteers lined the stretch, telling us to walk, slow down. SLOW DOWN… this is the finish, I’m not slowing down. Ron and I crossed the finish line with hundreds of other runners who congested the finish. But we did it… we completed it. We received our medals. What a marathon or war zone. This was like nothing I have ever experienced before and I hope I never will again. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers for all there support! Thanks to Team Polar, Team Aquaphor, Team Stay Put and the entire marketing department for helping put together another successful dinner. And Ron, I can’t begin to thank you enough… another marathon… this one I could not have made it though without you! You rock, until the next adventures… keep running… or walking! js
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