Running Chicago
I ran the Chicago Marathon a week ago and my take away is a lot can fall apart and even if you plan to give up, the best things can still happen. Years ago I was diagnosed with IBS and Colitis. I continued to run but ended up in the ER after a marathon for dehydration. It took 3 yrs of “no more marathons” but I figured out my health and have run several more 26.2’s since.
With the help of a doctor and trial and error, I figured out that cutting out gluten, dairy, eggs, spicy, and greasy foods help tremendously as does taking digestive enzymes. When that fails, Bentonite clay is my secret weapon and I drink it once a day two weeks before every race no matter how I feel.
The Night Before the Race
Fast forward to the night before Chicago and my gut was doing things I said I wouldn’t run through again. Against my better judgement, I’d eaten some spicy and greasy foods and lots of yummy french fries in the two days leading up to the race. On top of that, I woke up after less than 2 hrs sleep with a calf cramp and laid awake for hours. I wondered if I should run but decided to start the race and prayed for wisdom and strength to drop out if things got too bad. Also drank all my clay.
I traveled with a friend that morning and logistics before the start were crazy but kind of mirrored how the race would go. The lengthy security line caused a lot of grumbling in the crowd and one gal even pushed her way past everyone in a panic attack. Looking at the time, we were going to miss our assigned corral and after we made it through security, it was like watching people run for their lives in all directions. We were told we could start with any corral behind ours so we decided to do that. We relaxed. We walked to the bag drop and did a light warm up jog to the port-o-potties. And you know what? We made it to our assigned corral with plenty of time to work our way to the front. I may have danced, but just a little — made it too far to throw out a back now.
Adjusting expectations as set backs occurred was so helpful for just about everything else that followed. The race began and the miles kept ticking along. My calf and gut were doing great! Miles 16, 17 and 18 passed and I couldn’t believe I was still in it.
The Greatest Show (great song for running)
Near the 26 mile marker, there is a hill. Just as I reached the top of it the lyrics on my mp3 player rang out “This is where you want to be!” I thought, “Yep!” The song continues to repeat “this is the greatest show” and as I approached the finish chute, I felt like I was watching my personal greatest show. One that had been months in the making while training. Years, really, if you count becoming healthy again. Finished in 3:34:35 with an 8+ min personal best and over a 15 min BQ.
People often ask why I run marathons. Sometimes I ask myself that too! In that moment at the top of the hill, though, I knew why. Marathons have drama, set backs and victories. It’s like watching and participating in your own show but it also makes me very aware that I am not in control. That race is like life condensed. You make your plans to PR or to drop out but there is only one whose plan always works and it’s not the winner who seemed to execute a perfect race. The Bible says “he [Christ] holds all creation together” and it’s no small miracle anyone can breathe much less run. While each person runs the same course, each experience is unique. Ultimately, though, we can all experience the same love, mercy and grace of God. Being made acutely aware of that, to me, is greater than anything. That I got such a sweet day after eating the way I did, is all His Grace.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Additional Tips for Gut Issues
For me, Maurten gels have been the only gel that doesn’t upset my stomach during marathons. I slowly eat one every 30 min for a total of about 6 for each race.
Instead of Gatorade, I carry a handheld water bottle with vega eletrolytes added. I refill it about 2-3 times during each race.
My gut does so much better in cooler temps. If the race is at all warm (70’s and up), I’ll jog it but no racing. My last warm marathon, I began to feel very nauseated and dizzy so I sat down and took some zofran. It helps with nausea and I always bring some with me to races just in case. Because of it, I was able to jog / walk to the finish.