Chicago Marathon!

When we booked plane tickets for Jon to come and visit with us the first weekend in October, we somehow forgot to check with Tiffany on their schedule.  As it turned out, they had a wedding that they had to attend on Saturday and on Sunday, KC had been counting on watching her Auntie Jane run in the Chicago Marathon.

No problem!  Jon and Art were happy to observe their first Chicago Marathon.  We'd never gone to see it in the 35 years we lived in Illinois.

For one thing, we were always worried about the traffic and parking.

Amazingly, it was also not a problem.

We found a parking garage right away and walked the short distance to the spot where Tif told Jane we would be waiting.

Suddenly there it was!  Thousands of runners going past in high spirits.  Of course this was only about the 7 mile mark of the 26 + mile Marathon.

Message for my Canadian blogger friends:  You were definitely well presented!

We also noticed a large contingent from our neighbors in Mexico.

We quickly got into the excitement of the Marathon and clapped and shouted for everybody.  I had the feeling that Art and Jon were wishing they were out there (running) too.

We loved all the costumes that many of the runners wore.  There were also tutus and even a Captain Hook (I think).

Can you imagine how hot he'd probably be by the end of the race?

One runner was a sweet older gentleman who was holding Mardi Gras necklaces.  He veered toward us and draped a necklace on a thoroughly delighted KC.

There were a lot of volunteer Marathon enforcers who made sure people stayed on the sidewalk.

You can see empty water bottles strewn along the road.

We eventually learned that many runners had their names printed on their shirts so you could call out your encouragement to them.  We tried to do this with gusto.  This fellow helped us out by running along the road and pointing this sign at a runner.

And then, there she was!

Our wonderful, honorary Auntie Jane who has been a special part of KC's life.

Jane is a doctor and had made up her mind to practice what she preaches about exercise. 

This was her first Marathon.

It wasn't easy holding KC back.  She wanted to run out into the crowd to greet her "Auntie" and show her the sign she'd worked so hard on.

And then... after a quick high five, she was gone and we left with smiles on our faces and in our hearts.

We then picked up Ed and headed out to an IHOP for breakfast before taking Jon to O'Hare Airport.

Even though I've strongly advised Art to stay with Half-Marathons from now on... I was hearing rumblings of "Wouldn't it be neat to do the Chicago Marathon?"

And then, in the blink of an eye, a wave of a hand... our visit with Jon was over. 

Art and I have decided that when he graduates, we will make a trip to Baltimore and spend time on the East coast again.

Then again... maybe we won't wait that long.