. . . for Lauren and Lauren: A lottery you might not want to win

April 27, 2014

A lottery you might not want to win

Last week I found out I won the lottery to get to run the Chicago marathon.  It seems slightly ironic to me that it's called a lottery, as the "prize" is paying $185 to train and then run 26.2 miles.  I was still undecided when I entered to win as to whether I really wanted to do it, but after myself and my good friend got "in" we decided to go for it. 


I've done the Chicago marathon twice.  The first time it was the hottest it's ever been for the marathon and was in the upper 90's. (normally it's mid 40's or 50's).  They ran out of water, were using ambulances from every suburb of Chicago and they made participants walk the last handful of miles due to the conditions.  But I finished.  Although I said it was a one time deal, as soon as I crossed the finish line I knew I wanted to do it again. 


The next year I trained by myself and ran it alone which was incredibly hard.  I actually told Chris countless times not to ever let me do this again.  Bad luck with the weather again, as it wasn't quite as hot but still in the 90's.  I finished in slower time than I had hoped for, but finished.  And as soon as I crossed the finish line I knew I'd want to do it again at some point. 

I've always been pretty disciplined and determined if I set my mind to do something. (Especially if it involves paying to do something.)  But I am more nervous about this time than the others.  It was hard enough finding time and energy to train before having a baby.  I was overly obsessive before about running every day of my training schedule no matter what, and I know that I won't be able to do that this time and want to just relax and do the best I can.  

I really thought I'd be back in running shape at this point after having Addilyn.  I've struggled with feeling confident in myself and continually remind myself of the huge change that having a baby does to every area of your life.  Changes that I did not anticipate and was not ready for.   I thought my overly disciplined self would have handled it differently, but I think the break from working out and the pressure to keep up has been really good for me.  

But I'm ready to have a goal and something to work towards.  The thought of crossing the finish line now makes me unbelievably excited.  Thinking about Addilyn "cheering" me on makes me feel motivated.  There is still a part of me that is scared that I won't be able to do it, and I think I'll be nervous about that until the race is over.  

I am so far from even being in shape to start training and have about a month to get there.  But I'm ready. I think.  26.2 miles here I come!

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25 comments:

The Lady Okie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Awesome! So excited for you. I really would love to run Chicago one day. I'm sad they're doing a lottery now. I don't think they had to do one last year. I guess everyone wants to run in Chicago, because, well duh. Chicago is awesome. Hopefully I can get in next year? We'll see. I'll be cheering you on, and I hope you'll post some updates for us! Go, Katie!

Denise said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You go girl.

Dawn {Oh Fudge!} said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

The second time you ran, we ran together just didn't know it. I wish we could run it together on purpose this time (but I'm not in)

Ashley {in MKE} said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You go girl! Chicago is on my bucket list, but I'll probably run Milwaukee first. ;)

Cheering you on already!

xo

It's a Vermont Life said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates
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It's a Vermont Life said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Yay!!! I'm so excited for you and slightly jealous too! It's definitely hard to get to the gym - some weeks I go 4 days a week and other weeks not at all. I too was always very good about always working out consistently so not being able to has been a somewhat hard adjustment for me but working out in general makes me feel stronger and actually appreciate my body more than before. I know there is no way I am going to get in every training run this time around but I figure there was no training for labor and I made it through that so a marathon is nothing haha!

Ashley said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I am SO proud of you! I've always aspired to do a full but haven't gotten there yet - will be cheering you on in spirit every step of the way girlfriend!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I think that's AMAZING! I've always wished I was a runner but just can't seem to get into it mo matter how much I try. You can do it, girl!

J and A said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm so excited for you!! This will be great for you. You will totally still find the time and make the time! So awesome.

Kayla MKOY said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

AHHH get it girl!!! You are going to do so great. I have my first half marathon this coming weekend and I'm both excited and terrified. "Life" has totally gotten in my way and my training went NOWHERE near as planned...so I need some prayers ;) I'm excited for you and will be cheering you on!

jessica said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You can do it!!! Before I got pregnant I had horrible shin splints which prevented me from running as much as I would have liked. I've run a few times since having my baby 6 months ago and i'm hoping the long break allowed the shin splints to heal. I miss running so much!!! I am so excited for you!

jessica said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You can do it!!! Before I got pregnant I had horrible shin splints which prevented me from running as much as I would have liked. I've run a few times since having my baby 6 months ago and i'm hoping the long break allowed the shin splints to heal. I miss running so much!!! I am so excited for you!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

That's amazing! I'm really impressed by your ambition. If I had 6 months I'd still feel impressed by the idea of 26.2 miles. I'm really happy for you though, you'll do so well!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

*I'd still feel intimidated* not impressed, haha

Bria said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Yay! So happy for you! I set the personal goal of running a half before each of my babies turns one but now that I am pregnant w #2 I would like to step the next one up to a full marathon in 2015. Good luck and can't wait to follow along!

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Good luck! I trained when Henry was a baby. It was hard, but I was working from home, so it was easier to find time. Pushing a running stroller 10 miles will quickly get you into running shape!!! You can do it!

Pamela said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

How how exciting!! Yes, it will be SO cute & exciting to see her cheering you on!!

Kelly said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh my goodness, congratulations and yay! I am so excited for you, you are going to kill it!

Bri said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So proud of you...cause I fear I'd never put myself in that lottery LOL I'm cheering for you the whole way!!

The Olive Tree Blog said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

good for you!! so exciting!!!

Helene in Between said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

you are incredible! twice is a crazy awesome accomplishment, you've got it!

Magical and Beautiful said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

good luck!!

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Sarah said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You got this! Really exciting, although I trained for a half and at the end thought, why did I think this was a good idea? I did it by myself, so i think if I had a partner it would have made it more fun. Also, if you have a running stroller, like a BOB, although it doesn't help with form, it does help for when you're not pushing the kid and the stroller, makes it feel so much easier. I would do 3-5 miles with the stroller and then do longer runs without. Good luck! You'll do great!

Erin @ Love, the Campbells said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm so happy that you got in!!! You are going to be the greatest I just know it! So excited for you lady and I give you a ton of credit! I can barely push through a 5k!

eliz said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Many of my friends run the Chicago Marathon in 2006-2008 I lived on a busy street where the marathon would happen and I would cheer on the runners...and in my head I said maybe one day I will run it...hmmm I think I will run a half marathon first...haha but good luck...will give you motivation to have some fitness mommy time!