Amber's Sports Blog, From a Fan and Participant

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

kencamet@yahoo.com — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 19:06:36 GMT

Great run report as well as commentary on what the heat can do to your performance. I ran that race as well and did 3:44 when I was shooting for 3:15. I believe I was trained well enough to do a 3:05 - 3:10 race but I thought I could pull back to a 3:15 due to the heat and humidity. WRONG! I definitely underestimated my tolerance to running in that kind of heat/humidity . You'd think I'd know better as 07 Chicago was my 22nd marathon! Keep on plugging and you'll hit that BQ time!

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

nygal711@comcast.net — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:09:35 GMT

Thank you Amber...I love your recap of this Marathon, I could not have said it better myself. But thank you for pointing out that was something we had had no control over, no matter how hard we train or how far we feel we can push our bodies. My mind can not change or push through certain things. This was an eye opener for me. For the past 4 days I couldn't figure out what frustated me most about the marathon,(besides my lousy finish) now I know...it was something I had no control over (which is probably more frustrating than anything else)but it helps...Come to Sacramento, Ca and run The California International Marathon...it's a great race to qualify for Boston...It got me in last year... Hope to see you there....Thank You

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

rubydog321@yahoo.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:51:13 GMT

That was a GREAT story. Chicago Marathon was my first Marathon and I was at Mile 21, when I heard the guy say that the race was cancelled. I said, "Hell No," I trained all year for this and only have 5 miles to go! Plus, I was wearing a fuel belt and filled 2 bottles of water, before I hit the 2 water spots, that didn't have any. I also saw people dunking their heads & drinking water out of a fountain at a park & at an apt. complex. That was really gross, but they must have been desperate!

I asked this girl running next to me, if she thought it was true, that they were cancelling the race and she said, "yes" and we have to pick up the pace and get ahead of the "cut-off". So, I followed her, weaving in & out of ALL the walking people, to Mile 23. We must have made the "cut-off", because I finished. I was aiming for 4 1/2 hours, but did it in 5 1/2.

I feel like you, in a MUCH smaller sense. Because, I know, I could have did it in 4 1/2 hours, but it was too hot. Just, like you could have finished to qualify for Boston. Now, I'm pondering, if I should try it again next year? But, the training is SO Time Consuming! But, I'm so MAD!

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

guest — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:46:09 GMT

Great runner and a great writer. This should be published in Runner's World Magazine. Good luck Amber! Keep writing...

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

crabtreelisa@hotmail.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:27:26 GMT

Thanks for sharing your story. I also had hopes of running the qualifying 3:40 time at Chicago but I ended up finishing at 4:27. I also felt really good and on pace until about mile 9 or 10, but the heat took over from there and slowed me way down. It was an amazing experience I will never forget! Thanks again for sharing and hopefully I will be there with you in Boston '09!

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

anthonycampos13@aol.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:25:29 GMT

Thanks for the commentary, i just ran a marathon tune up (18 hilly miles) in central park with ease. Then i ran a 13 .1 the next weekend and felt horrible. The difference was the heat and i started out with a pace 2 minutes faster than normal . Point taken, in heavy heat and humidity it is wise to slow the pace and walk thru the water stations . I was always opposed to carrying water belts because of the additional weight( i weigh 230, 5' 9 "). But i will respect the distance and avoid the unknowns. I just signed up for my first full marathon in philly (nov). Look for the chunky bald man in the "Far running fatman shirt" I will gladly offer you some fluids and a gu-pack providing i still have some left".

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

shakaj03@yahoo.com — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:35:05 GMT

This was a miraculous story, great blog, and a super accomplishment, even if you didn't make it to Boston this year. I heard Boston in 2008 is going to be boring anyway. .... You are the ish Ms. Martin!!! Does Active pay you extra for enduring such elements. I mean, i'm sure they pay your way to run these races, but do they pay you extra for dealing with those horrible circumstances?

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

julie.woolf@active.com — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:18:29 GMT

Awesome job Amber! We are so proud of you!

I ran Boston in 2004 so I know exactly what you went through, except you were mentally much stronger...I didn't finish the race. At mile 17, I started puking and that was the end of it for me. Keep up the training. It will definitely payoff. I know you can qualify for Boston in 2009.

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

Active Toby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:08:14 GMT

I think training on trails is the missing link because there is often so much climbing involved. It really builds strong legs and a strong core because of the stability required to navigate the terrain. (plus strong lungs when there is altitude involved) That said, there is a relatively flat trail race approaching. December 2nd in Ridgecrest, CA. There is a 30k & 50k option: http://othtc.com/ultra/index.htm

I've got tons of local training locations to recommend anytime. Check this site too while you're at it: http://www.socalultraseries.org/

RE: My First Hand Account of the Sweltering 07 Chicago Marathon

guest — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:00:15 GMT

I am thinking about doing Arizona Rock 'n' Roll in January. I have been meaning to talk to you about some of the trail runs etc. you do, because I would like to expand beyond just racing on the pavement. Let me know if you know of anything coming up.