October 22, 2015

"Run like a girl, or....


...how to tutu for 26.2.


"Running for a Cure"
Thing #2
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois


Yep,  that's my pretty, pretty ballerina.  AKA Thing #2.  Chasse'-ing her way thru the Chicago Marathon.  Donning purple for the Alzheimer's ALZ STARS.  Hate to tell her that this is the best photo I got of her.  Why?  Because honestly, it's HARD trying to photograph your daughter in the midst of 45,000 other runners.  AND...


"Taking our Eyes Off the Prize"
Iphone
(My favorite sign of the whole race..."Toenails are for sissies"...yeah, ya gotta be a runner to appreciate that one!)


...I MIGHT have been goofing around with my BFF getting our photo taken when she ran right by me another time.  Seriously, take your eye off a 26.2 mile race for one freakin' second and the purple tutu passes you by.  What are the odds?

But I got some pretty good photos of OTHER parents' children.  That should count for something.  So while I show you a bunch of photos of people I don't know, I'm gonna share a bit about the runner I DO know.  The one who when she was in high school, couldn't run a mile to the local diner after swim practice with her team mates.  Yep folks, she couldn't run a mile even with mounds of homestyle diner quality AND quantity of bacon, hash, pancakes, waffles, syrup, and desserts luring her from the finish line.  Considering we are German...it was kinda embarrassing.









There are many reasons runners choose to subject themselves to a marathon.  All ages and ethnicities. Some might be for the sheer joy of running (I do not comprehend), competition, self imposed goals, personal challenges and obstacles, to raise awareness, to support a cause close to their heart.








Thing #2 ran the Chicago Marathon for a variety of those reasons.  And in doing so, she  joined forces with 200+ other runners who dedicated their efforts to the Alzheimer's Association as part of the ALZ STARS team.  As a whole, the ALZ STARS raised close to $400,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. Thing #2 was responsible for almost $4,000 of that amount.  I couldn't help but think my Pops was smiling down at her all 26.2 miles of the way.  And let me tell ya, Pops must have pulled some strings up in heaven cause he provided his grand daughter (and her purple tutu) with one glorious Autumn day for little jaunt thru Chicago.  


"L is for Loud"
Chicago, Illinois


Thing #2's LOUD contingent of 8 navigated around Chicago's neighborhoods via the 'L' trying to catch up with her.  Quite the atmosphere when you have the LOUD contingents of 45,000 runners navigating right along with you AND their gazillion signs!






"Sign Language"
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois


The Chicago Marathon wind's its 26.2 miles thru 29 unique neighborhoods that create Chicago's rich culture, history and beauty.  By far my favorite section of the marathon was when it passed thru Chinatown.  The largest in the Midwest with 8,000 residents within it's 10 block radius.  The colors, the designs,the atmosphere were electric.  Of course, Chinatown comes at the 22 mile mark...so Thing #2 wasn't quite as enamored with it.


"A Run Through Chinatown - Mile 22"
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Ilinois










The last place we got to see Thing #2 tutu her way thru the 45,000 was at mile 25.  That's as far as us non-runners were allowed to go.  As a result of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Chicago Marathon closes off the beginning and the end of the marathon to spectators.  Which altho understandable, still really sucks!



"Mile 25"
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois










Hated not being there at the end.  I mean seriously, our group of 8 had put in LOTS of time and energy too. We were exhausted. A toe cramp here and there was duly noted and lamented. Would have been nice to have been cheered on at the end too!  Altho, I'm sure Thing #2 would have appreciated our exhaustion as much as she appreciated Chinatown!


"Run Like a Girl"
Thing #2
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois


So here are some final stats:

3:34.22 finish time (Boston Marathon qualifying time)

5,019th out of 45,000 overall

1,057th out of women

1st woman to cross the line for the ALZ STARS

3rd to cross the line for the ALZ STARS overall

Close to $4,000 raised for the Alzheimer's Association


Why do runners subject themselves to the rigors of a marathon?  Many, many reasons.  For Thing #2 the least of the reasons is that she is now perfectly capable of running to the local diner after a swim practice, not that she eats any of that good stuff anymore! Plus, I think she might have just wanted to wear a purple tutu.  Proud of you kiddo, ya done good!






(AKA: Proud Mom)

Here's where I "link up" today

   
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17 comments:

  1. Bravo! Thing #2 is the perfect combo of ballerina and badass. Good job, Mom. ;)
    Fantastic photos, as always!

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  2. Wow! Good for Thing #2! Love the tutu. Amazing photos. I giggled at the "hurry ... you are missing brunch" sign. I understand the toenail comment. Fun post. Well done, Mom!

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  3. That is amazing! What an accomplishment for you both! Seriously!! I love all of the pics!

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  4. Way to go!! These are all awesome. I can't wait to cheer on this year's marathon runners!

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  5. Amazing! congratulations to Thing #2! I really loved reading all the sign pictures...so fun!

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  6. So impressed and many congratulations to Thing #2. Love the sign "Worst Parade Ever".

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  7. My favorite sign was "WORST PARADE EVER!". Having done this, I can honestly say having my picture taken at mile 25 was not a top priority at that particular moment, lol.
    You have every right to be proud of Kylie!! Thank her for me and my family. My mom was watching her run, too!

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  8. Awesome! What an accomplishment!

    Thank you for sharing with us at Photo Friday!

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  9. That's a lot of runners. Nice that your daughter did it for a good cause. Too bad you blinked when she went by. Your photos are great, the really project a lot of energy.

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  10. So impressive...and great for her! And, you too, Mama. ;) Love the fun signs!

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  11. Fabulous photos. Not only have I never been in a marathon - I've never been to one either. You captured the essence of it with your shots of the runners, the sidelines, and the beautiful city. While running is certainly not for me, I might be able to stand by with a camera and cheer on my friends!

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  12. great photos of the City with Big Shoulders.

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  13. Really great action shots. Made me feel like I was there!

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  14. great photos..and I love the lacy reflection in the window

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  15. Way to go Thing #2! Quite an accomplishment! One that I don't understand why people put themselves through so much torture. lol! They say running is addicting. Not an addict yet. ha, ha! Great photos! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. Congrats Thing 2! What a feat! Love these images, Kathy. The movement images are just perfect!

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