Chicago Marathon registration opens

The Chicago Marathon registration opened today. I decided to register right away since marathons have been filling up in record time lately. So with my registration and B corral placement secure, I just need to wait another 8.5 months for the race.

Chicago Marathon

Time: 3:53:25
Overall: 5097 out of 31000+

Another HOT marathon. I don't have any luck. Chicago had near record heat for a second straight year. Two days before or after would have been great weather to run in. Oh well, I still had a great time. This was my first "Big City" marathon that I should have done a long time ago but it was well worth the wait.

The course layout was great and the crowds were incredible. It was like taking the top spectator areas at Disney and stretching them over 60% of the course. There wasn't a spot on the course where there wasn't someone cheering you on.

Even though it was going to be a warm one, I still kept to my plan to run hard. I had a great pace for the first 15k (1:11:34) but the heat started catching up with me shortly after that. When the 3:30 pace group finally passed me by at mile 16 I knew it was over. I backed off my pace and even added in a little walking but by mile 22 I had nothing left.

Two days later I feel fine and ready to get back to training for Philadelphia.

Chicago Marathon Registration Opens!

Registration for the Chicago marathon finally opened. I've had this race on my schedule since last summer. I was going to register this morning but my half marathon time is just shy of getting my in the B Corral. I need a 1:35:59 and my last half (12/1/2008) was 1:39:11. My marathon time was just short also (3:39:10 need a 3:35:59). I am racing the Gasparilla 1/2 marathon next Sunday so now I have a target time to shoot for. Either way I will register for Chicago the day after. It really isn't that big of a deal if I'm in the B or C start corrals. Either way I will still start ahead of the masses (registration caps at 45,000)

Start Corral A
Secure starting area set directly behind the Top 100 Start for all qualifying participants. Qualifications for Start Corral A for 2008 are as follows:
• Half Marathon time: <1:25:59
• Full Marathon time: <3:10:59
• Expected capacity: 1,500
• Avg. time to cross Start: 0:42 (seconds)

Start Corral B
Secure starting area set directly behind Start Corral A for all qualifying participants.
Qualifications for Start Corral B for 2008 are as follows:
• Half Marathon time: <1:35:59
• Full Marathon time: <3:35:59
• Expected capacity: 3,000
• Avg. time to cross Start: 1:58 (minutes)

Start Corral C
Secure starting area set directly behind the Start Corral B for all qualifying participants. Qualifications for Start Corral C for 2008 are as follows:
• Half Marathon time: <1:45:59
• Full Marathon time: <3:55:59
• Expected capacity: 4,000
• Avg. time to cross Start: 4:11 (minutes)

Start Corral D
Secure starting area set near the start line for all qualifying participants.
Qualifications for the Start Corral D for 2008 are as follows:
• Half Marathon time: <1:50:59
• Full Marathon time: <4:00:59
• Expected capacity: 4,000
• Avg. time to cross Start: 6:31 (minutes