Sports

First-Time Marathoners Share What It's Like to Be in Chicago's Big Race

Patch spoke with Tinley Park residents who were participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will run for the 35th time Sunday, Oct. 7. But that doesn't mean the runners are as experienced as the race. Some Tinley Park residents are participating in the Chicago Marathon—and marathons in general—for the first time.

Patch spoke with some of the Tinley Park first-timers about why they run and what the best advice they were given was going into Sunday's event.

You can follow these Tinley residents through the entire race and see how they place with the Chicago Marathon's Runner Tracking.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ben Desnoyers, 36

How long have you've been running marathons? I have run one half-marathon. This is my first [full] marathon.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I am running this one for the challenge.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: To try to follow the training guide and to eat right.

Kristin Desnoyers, 37

How long you've been running marathons? I have run three half-marathons. This is my first marathon.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I have enjoyed the challenges of the [half marathons] and wanted to try a full.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: To enjoy the actual day when it arrives. To also make sure you sleep well on the Friday before, as come Saturday, you will most likely not get the best sleep, due to nerves. To also make sure you get all your long runs in during the training.

John Le, 39

Why are you running marathons? I wanted to run a marathon before turning 40 years old Nov. 11. By chance, many of us will also be running the [Tinley Park] Turkey Trot on my birthday. It's somewhat a tradition for our TP crew to run the Turkey Trot.

How long you've been running marathons? First one. But I have been running for approximately four years.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I was very active as a youth and continued throughout college. After graduating and taking an office job, I began to gain weight and was out of shape. Running allows me to stay in shape and be more alert and focus throughout the day.

Further, being married [Jeanne Le, who also is running her first marathon], having three active boys (ages 9, 8, 7) that are very involved in sports, things get crazy. When I run, it is Me time! I get quiet time, time for me to just lose my thoughts to whatever.

My wife is also a runner, and it is something we share together. It doesn't involve the kids. It is just about us.

Lastly, running a marathon is both a physical and mental challenge. I wanted to see if I have the toughness to train and finish the race.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: Cut your toe nails and put Band-Aids on your nipples. Maybe you don't want to put the nipple part in.

Jeanne Le, 43

How long have you been running marathons? [I] started running February 2009 to train for my first 5K race. I remember beginning to run, it was very difficult for me. My husband, a natural runner, decided to join me in the race and the rest is history. I have participated in tons of 5K races, with each race trying to improve my performance.

My husband was convinced that I could run a half-marathon and signed us up for our first half-marathon on May 2, 2010 (It just so happened to be on our 12 year wedding anniversary). I was hooked. I have run 7 half-marathons total - 4 have been Chicago half-marathons.

Why do you enjoy running marathons?I love to run for the challenge. The training that goes into running a longer distance race requires dedication, will power and sacrifice. I love the euphoria after the run, the "high" and sense of personal accomplishment is overwhelming. Not to mention it is something I can do alone or with someone, I can do it anywhere, and my kids can't interrupt me while I'm doing it!Now it's my first full marathon... Just after I finished the Chicago Half Marathon last September, I said to myself, "Why not me?" "Why not?"

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: "Soak it all in (the marathon experience) - enjoy yourself, and when it gets tough and you don't think you can take another step - take two!

Alissa Nowinski, 32

How long have you been running marathons? I have been running for many years but ran my first marathon nine years ago.

How many Chicago Marathons have you run? This will be my third Chicago Marathon but the first one that I will actually care about my time. I am hoping to qualify for Boston!

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I think running is very therapeutic and such a great stress reliever. I enjoy the way it makes me feel both
physically and mentally!!

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: The best running advice is that it is all "mind over matter."

(Editor's note: Nowinski, along with other residents like Laura Brown, will be running the Chicago Marathon to help those suffering from Rett syndrome, a nervous system disorder. Nowinski is running for 2-year-old Claire Reilly, the daughter of Nowinski's high school best friend who has Rett syndrome. For more information or to donate, go to www.clairescrusade.org. October also is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month. Nowinski will be hosting a fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pint bar, 1547 N. Milwaukee Ave. after the blessing.)

Jason Pequette, 40

How long you've been running marathons? This is my first marathon. [I h]ave run several half-marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? The sense of accomplishment.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: Respect the distance. ... It's OK to just finish.

Tricia Schaefer, 38

How long have you been running marathons? This is my first marathon. I have run three half-marathons—twice in the Palos Half, and this year in the Chicago Half. I am doing this because I've always wanted to run the marathon, since watching it on TV every year, since I was younger.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I love training with my girlfriends because we really got to know each other while running for hours at a time. We have grown as athletes together.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: The best advice I was given regarding the marathon was to follow a training program. Our group followed the Hal Higdon program, and it worked well for us. It requires a huge commitment to keep up with it, but it is so rewarding when you finish! Hitting the milestones leading up to the marathon has been such a great feeling of accomplishment, and finishing the marathon will be a dream come true!

Natalie Van't Land, 35

How long have you been running marathons? This is my first full-marathon! My running journey started back in 2009 when I ran my first race, the TP Turkey Trot.

At that time, I ran three miles, three days a week. But then I started to get the running bug, and three miles turned into four, then five and so on. I thought it would be cool to run a half, so last year I ran the Southwest Half-Marathon and ran it in 2:08.

That same year, I ran the Chicago Rock 'N' Roll Half-Marathon, and I did it in 2:05. What's been amazing is that I [set a personal record] every time I run a race. This year I ran the Southwest Half in 1:58. … It's probably why I enjoy running so much.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? I'm a 35-year-old woman, and I'm actually running better than I did when I was 18! Another motivating thing is to know I'm not doing this alone. I'm going to be with several people who are first timers as well.

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon: In terms of the best advise I've received? I honestly couldn't tell you. I've been given so much advice, and I'm not going to know what works until I've experienced the race.

Becky Vock, 36

How long you've been running marathons? This is my first. I've done three half-marathons.

Why do you enjoy running marathons? Being my first, I sure hope to enjoy it. I started running as a way to get back in shape after my first child was born five years ago. I'd only run about two miles, so I certainly didn't consider myself a runner.

After my second child was born in 2009, I found that I needed something to do for myself and I turned to running as that hobby. I picked up new shoes, and more miles came with them. Soon 5Ks turned to 10Ks and before I knew it, I was doing halfmarathons.

Running has become my outlet, my way to blow of steam, my time to catch up on girl-talk with my running partner and time for me to just think. I get a break from "Mommy time" to have some "Me time." I'm a competitive person, and the only person I compete against in running is myself. I strive to have a better pace and/or a longer distance than my previous run. It's great motivation!

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon? I have received a lot of good advice! But the favorite thing I heard was a quote: "There will be days you don't think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."

Kala Zackowitz, 26

How long have you been running marathons? This is my first marathon! I started running after I saw my older sister, Sam, run the Chicago Marathon 2010. Since then, I've run in Disney World's Princess Half-Marathon, Soldier Field's 10 Miler, and lots of 5Ks. I am also on running on behalf of Chicago PAWS and to date, I have raised $950, and there's many more still donating!

Best advice you have been given when it comes to preparing for this marathon? I have been given great advice along this 18-week journey. But the best one I have received was, "Run the first 10 miles with your head (that is—run smart; run at your pace); run the next 10 miles with your legs (these are the "tough 10" miles that you need to put your whole body into), and those last 6.2 miles … you run those with your heart." This was given to me by a running group member. It takes a lot of dedication to train for these 26.2 miles and I don't know if there will be another one. So, I will go out there and run the best race that I can and know that I'm doing it for an amazing cause.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

When: Sunday, Oct. 7. Runners begin just before 7:30 a.m. with the final wave starting at 8 a.m.
Where: Grant Park. Spectators will be allowed in the park at 8:30 a.m.

 

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