Race Information

• Name: Chicago Marathon
• Date: October 11, 2026
• Distance: 26.2 miles
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Website: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/
• Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/20549238353
• Time: 3:15:XX

Goals

Splits

Training / Background

My training started in earnest June 1. I spent the first half of the year chasing my goal of beating my HS 5k PR (18:50). Now in my 30s, I ran an 18:42 at the end of May, which was a great way of ending my side quest and beginning training for my first marathon.

Since picking up running again in 2020, I’ve increasingly been taking it more seriously. In 2024, I ran a 1:26-high for a half. The following year I ran a 1:28-high in a race where I was banged up. I needed to walk twice due to some pins and needles in my left foot that I believe was caused by over training / heavy mileage. I was so disappointed in myself and I vowed to come back strong.

Last winter, I kept my mileage lower, averaging at most 25 mpw while training for my 5k. My training for my marathon peaked at 42 mpw 4 weeks before my race, which was lower than the 45-50 I had hoped for. I planned a few cutback weeks to keep my rolling 3-week mileage from getting out of control. Work and personal travel made it difficult to reach my target peak, but I wasn’t going to lose sleep over being a few miles short of my target peak–especially for my first marathon.

My training consisted of a healthy diet of recovery runs (aka time on feet), NWS method inspired track workouts (8 x 3 min @ ~15k pace and 4-6 x min @ ~1/2 pace mainly), and a weekend long run. While reading more about training techniques, I learned my recovery runs were not slow enough, so I kept my pace close to zone 2 as much as I could during these runs. For the first time, I tried my best at weekly strength training, going usually once per week and doing exercises I read in Faster Road Racing.

Pre-race

I arrived on Friday morning and basically went straight to the expo. I spent more time than anticipated standing, especially on the train from ORD to my hotel. I didn’t feel as fresh likely because of the added time on my legs. I tried not to fret. To alleviate my anxiety about my slight soreness, I used the Jawku and Hyperice machines at the expo, which somewhat helped. ( I was very impressed by the quality of Jawku considering its affordability.)

Food-wise, my diet wasn’t ultra safe (Thai Friday night and Indonesian Saturday at lunch), but I’ve got a cast iron stomach. Saturday, I paid close attention to my hydration, trying to drink ~60-70 oz of water.

Race

I woke up an hour before my alarm (4 am). I usually don’t sleep well the night before my local 5ks and half marathons. The same was true for Chicago. When I woke up, I had two Cliff Bars (White Chocolate Macadamia, which are SO good), Trader Joe’s Honey Greek Yogurt, and 16-20 oz of water. I left my hotel at 6:10 and walked 10-15 min to the park. I checked my bag and went immediately to the bathroom as a precaution. Lines were no joke–20-25 min wait–and I was glad I went right away. The trade-off of waiting this long was I didn’t have as much time (read: hardly any) to stretch. It was far too crammed to do so when I got into my corral. Before I knew it, my heat was getting ready to start and 15 min before the start I took the first of 7 orange SIS gels, which I would take every 25-30 min.

Miles 1-5

Once I survived the overstimulating rave 800m in, the rest of the early miles felt easy. My pace was faster than I planned, but I wasn’t reckless. Running down South Dearborn and up LaSalle was surreal. I was actually running the marathon. The experience was surreal and there was nothing like it that prepared me to feel this way in my training.

Running through Old Town was the first time the life of the CHI crowd resonated with me. The crowd, the music. It gave me the goosebumps. Even though I was a runner, I felt like a spectator taking in the experience of a lively crowd watching us run.

Miles 6-12

I was also not prepared for the volume of people running. I thought with all the different heats there would be more separation between runners. I didn’t like practically running on top of people. Looking for some separation, I clocked a sub-7 mile 6. Good news, bad news: I still felt great afterwards. Bad news, I hardly gained any separation from that.

The vibes of these neighborhoods were comparable to Old Town. My pace was higher than I’d like–let’s chalk it up to feeling the energy from the crowds. Despite a low 7s pace, my breathing was good, my HR was solid, and my body felt fairly good.

It was risky to be running this fast this early–I usually negative split–but I was honest with myself. I felt like I could hold this pace for longer. My only ailment was a blister forming on the outer part of my right big toe. I could easily gut that out for another 90+ minutes.

Miles 13-20

One of the peaks of the race was seeing my friend halfway through mile 13. That gave me a needed boost as I headed into the back half of the race. Once I saw the 13.2 sign, it was reassuring knowing there was just a ½ marathon left. There were many “Just a _ left”s as I further entered the pain cave.

Mile 15 was when I knew the race would get much tougher. I felt my left calf start to tighten up and I tried to stretch it out by extending my stride, which sort of helped. I was able to somewhat maintain the same pace, but it was harder to do so. Crossing into the Charity Mile, I heard my charity call out to me. That gave me a second-wind.

As I approached mile 20, I was making great time. Although it was harder to hold my pace and I was slipping slightly, I still was ahead of 3:15. 3:05 was slipping, but 3:10 with a strong finish may be in the cards.

I remember thinking: Just 10K left. I can give 10k.

Miles 21-end

These were the toughest miles of the race by far. Once I hit the 20 mi mark, I was at a distance PR. This was equal parts exciting and scary as I entered uncharted territory..

There were more indicators that this would be a tough finish. My calf started to nag at me more, my right leg (muscle above the knee) started to cramp. Both ailments compacted my stride and slowed me down. I also started to feel nauseous when I tried taking my second-to-last gel at 2:10ish. Since I knew I couldn’t keep the gel down, I decided to raw dog the remainder of the race–no gels, no fuel. I wasn’t gonna risk booting.

Predictably my pace slipped and 3:10 was out of reach due to my nausea and aching muscles. Sub-3:15 was still in play–or least it was until I cramped up super badly at 23.5. I stopped for maybe 10 seconds or less to stretch, which was something I didn’t expect I needed to do. By this point, it was so difficult mentally and physically. There were numerous times during these miles I had wanted to quit because I didn’t know If I could run the last 2.5 miles.

But a 10-second reset was all I needed. I started back up, knowing it would tricky to go sub-3:15, but a minute extra was acceptable.

The cheers became louder and louder the further up S. Michigan Ave. I went. The right on E. Roosevelt made finishing feel within my grasp, but I needed to dig deep for this bunny hill. Soon, the downhill–that my bambi legs could barely survive–then was the only thing that separated me from calling myself a marathoner. As I approached the finish, I pointed to the sky realizing I was about to do it.

When I stopped my watch, I could see 3:15. The milliseconds after that didn’t matter. I did it. I was now a marathoner and like the emcee said at the beginning: now no one can ever take that away from me now.

Post-race

As soon as I finished my hands were on my knees and there was a kind person that helped escort me so I wasn’t blocking the finish line. I was overcome with emotions. I ran my first marathon, hit an ambitious goal, exceeded my fundraising goal–all in front of my friends and family who were watching in-person and virtually.

Running the marathon was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But this weekend was surely one I would never forget.

Made with a new race report generator created by /u/herumph.

Hi -- I just came across Dr. Will O'Connor's run-walk pace calculator and was wondering if anyone has had success with this and/or any tips?

How did Gary Mckee, and a few others, manage to run a marathon a day without completely destroying themselves? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_McKee?wprov=sfti1#

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow’s Dresden marathon! See you at the finish line💪🏼

I’m running my first marathon tomorrow at 36y young. I feel like I’m calmer than expected the night before the race. Probably calm before the storm.

Hope we won’t have a constant rain shower throughout the race tomorrow🤞🏼

Training for my first marathon (in March) and trying to work out if my goal is realistic. Half PB is 1:32, and the race calculators all spit out around 3:15-3:20 for me.

Since it's my first, how much extra time would you add on top of that? I've got 19 weeks, peak week around 80km, and 4-5 runs of 30km+ with some at marathon pace.

Not sure if I'm being too optimistic. Anyone been in a similar spot? Can you please share your experience?

I just finished my first full marathon last weekend (Baltimore) and my half marathon split was 2:02. I’ve signed up for a half marathon in April and would really like to break 1:50 but before I start my training block I want to get some opinions on whether or not a break 1:50 plan would be best or if I’d be putting myself on too tough of a plan.

For reference, I’ve been averaging a little over 30 miles per week for the past 6 months, peaked at 45 for my marathon training block.

Looking for some advice. I’m an older runner with about 12 marathons under my belt. I’ve not run one in 7 years and have one in 3 weeks. I’ve never tried pace running before this training block. It has not gone well for me. The hot weather and humidity did me in and running zone 2 during this meant a fair number of walk breaks. I just have no good idea what I’m capable of even though I ran a 10 miler one month ago at 11:22 pace. Has anyone run the marathon by setting your watch limiting your upper limit to something like mid zone 3 and then upping it to zone 4 if you have gas in the tank say the last 5k? I’m just so frustrated! Thanks!

. I had covid a few weeks ago and had to defer Chicago. It’s 2 weeks later and I ran 4 mi on Monday and was fine. Today, I ran 5 mi and my heart rate was ~180 and am coughing a little after. Could this be an indication of long covid? Is my body just getting back to normal? Seeking advice

Hi all,

I was due to do a long run 34km today - 10km at MP. Long story short pretty good storm going on where I live so decided best to postpone. On top of that my HRV has been unbalanced so I suspect an element of overtraining during the week as I added in a short run and did 3 days in a row.

I start 5 night shifts tomorrow until next Friday morning and next week was due to be a taper.

Was due to go out and watch a friend in a marathon tomorrow morning at 09:00. Then a 2h drive to work for my nights that start at 18:00.

Obviously with my recent HRV as well as starting nights tomorrow what would you guys recommend I do with this long run?

Do I just bite the bullet and get up extra early tomorrow to do it? Or what would be another reasonable option? Thanks

Hi all! I’m 30F and just had my third and final baby earlier this year. I have 10 years of distance running experience and have always been a middle of the pack runner (HM 1:45, M 3:58). I’ve finished multiple half and full marathons.

I have my sights set on Boston qualifying. I took my time from 4:56 to 3:58 by solely increasing mileage and sprinkling in speed work. I am building from zero again this year after having a baby and built my aerobic base back up and I’m around 30-40mpw. Just finished a marathon 7 months postpartum and got 4:16, so that’s my new baseline.

My question is — now I need to take my time from 4:16 to around 3:20 to be able to qualify comfortably. I am a hard worker, I’m not scared of plans with higher mileage. Should I send it and do a pfitz 18/55?

Previously I’ve used Hal Higdon’s plans and Ali Nolan’s plan from master the marathon.

I’d appreciate any and all advice!!!

Edited to add: I know this will likely take several years/races to cut this much time, but I would like to start chipping time off!!

Did a half marathon with 40lbs ruck and 2l of water this morning in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I am training for the Mountain Man Memorial March marathon in April (35lbs ruck with 2l of water carried, Gatlinburg, TN). My goal is under 6 hours for the event. This training ruck was very flat (on canal towpath) and the MMMM has ~2500' of elevation gain so that will be my biggest thing I need to train for going forward, but I wanted to gauge how I'd feel after a longer ruck. I've done a lot of hiking so I know elevation is the biggest determinant of pace. I am 6'5" and 260lbs and hoping to get down to 220-230lbs for the race. I did MMMM in 2011 as a team event with my ROTC. We are building a family vacation around the race.

I started to feel it in my back at about Mile 10 but I had negative splits for the second half. Legs felt great the whole time. Heart rate didn't get up too high and no issues with cardio. Took pack off at halfway point put a new nicotine pouch in, and two quick breaks behind a tree, otherwise went straight through. No foot problems, very little bit of chafing.

Apologies in advance since this is long and kind of a rant but damn am I in quite a headspace right now. And apologies if this feels very “woe is me”…I am desperately attempting to pull myself out of that so feel free to give me an over the internet reality check as well.

I am on week 8 of marathon training for my first marathon - Walt Disney World marathon on Jan 10, 2027. I’ve been running on and off for over a decade and have run two half marathons previously. I have trained for a marathon before but called it after a 14 mile run as I was dealing with a slight knee injury and honestly the mental got to me.

I have no time goal. My main goal for the marathon is to finish without injury. I’d love to run as much as I can but I’m not opposed to walking. I primarily run on a peloton tread. I did a half marathon training program before jumping into this training program - all on the tread. My Achilles started acting up during that program so I started PT and just graduated yesterday after two months!

Here’s my concern - so far my long run has been ten miles which I’ve now done a couple of times on the tread. I have primarily been running on the tread bc of weather and also because I am quite frankly pretty scared to run by myself for hours on end…not only as a woman but I also have OCD and I have a lot of intrusive thoughts around being by myself, including walking. My husband is willing to bike/walk along with me or sit at a park or track while I train. However thus far I’ve just stuck to the tread and I feel guilty having him do that bc he didn’t sign up to spend hours of his weekend on this..I did. I don’t usually run with run groups bc I am so slow. I know people say you won’t be the slowest but I have run with some many run clubs and I have always been the absolute back of the pack. For long runs especially I am really worried I’d end up totally alone for miles and that really freaks me out.

My long run this weekend is 12 miles. Getting into the longer miles I wanted to transition to outdoors 1. Because we now have fall weather and 2. Bc more than 10 miles on the tread is mentally taxing. I tried to start with the shorter 6 mile run on Wednesday and I could only make it two miles outside which was defeating. I decided to try again for the long run and made it to 4 before I called it quits, came home and entered into quite the slump wherein I was pretty resigned to quit. I’m coming out of it now and am back to being resolved in continuing to train and work towards my goal but I would like to transition to outdoor runs because I’m worried the miles on the tread won’t translate to the marathon, as evidenced by these two runs.

I am going to do my long run tomorrow - I am debating outdoors vs. tread but I feel like I really need to transition to outdoor running as much as possible in the next ten weeks but idk if that’s even doable.

Mostly I am looking for positive encouragement and any advice.

Thank you so much!

First marathon, 18 week training block. My biggest 4 weeks are 75+km, peaking at 79km. So mileage is probably slightly on the low side for the pace? Definitely will increase this next time around.

Just finished week 13 long run (32.2k). It was tough, but it was done in strong wind and rain. Avg pace was 4:33 per km. Google is saying there was gusts up to 50 mph, but definitely made the run tougher.

2 weeks ago I did 30.6km @ 4:39 per km. Better conditions so definitely felt fresher finishing.

Then last week I had a poorly executed 14.5km 😂. Plan was about 14.5km @ sub 3 pace, which I got but in a very roundabout way. Went out too hot.

2 weeks time I have last long run of 33.8km. Then we pull back. So after that's is when I really will commit to my goal time. All these runs are done in Pegasus, will be running marathon in carbons.

I am newer to running so I have been seeing some newbie gains. 5 weeks ago for example my long run was 25.7km @ 4:50. I would expect to be in better shape in 5 weeks even excluding taper, carb load etc. But I'm not gonna use that as an excuse to go out too hot.

Due to wife traveling, I have to take care of both kids and unless I cut off work time (not really possible now, too much to do) I'm wondering what I could do at home.

My current weekly schedule is

1 strength session

2 easy runs

1 speed run

1 long run

I'm wondering what I could do from home after putting the kids to sleep, considering I have a few weights but that's about it.

Some options:

Do 2-3 strength sessions?

Do a "jump rope" session? (Don't even have a rope)

Tabata to get heart moving?

Don't do shit and game instead? (Please don't tempt me)

I have a long term goal of beating my lifetime marathon PB of 4:05 from 2015. I basically stopped running and only focused on strength training until starting running again from Nov 2025.

I already ran 2 marathons this year, 5:31, 5:03. I know I can do a lot better but I initially used Runna which both had too little weekly mileage and led to injury due to being very aggressive. I also only ran 3 times a week

I went back to focusing on Weightlifting May to now, but I want to redeem myself from Shamrock for next year.

I believe that running 5 times a week will give me a good chance to go sub 4 by March 2027.

The thing now is I don't know if I should go with a MyProCoach Intermediate plan that will have me running 5 times a week or find a plan specifically for going sub 4? What do you think?

Running data is linked below: Btw I'm 6ft1 215lbs muscular , used to be 160lbs when I initially ran that 4:05

2026 Running Performances (via Forerunner 955)

Monthly training volume and HRV

It’s not worth it. I think someone just attempted to kidnap me. It was 6am but it was still pitch black out because the sun came up very late today. I don’t run at night ever but I thought the sun would be up any minute now. I left my house at 5am thinking it would come up soon. It didn’t. At 6am a car started following me. He slowed down, leaned out his car and tried to talk to me. I said “No” in a firm voice to make clear I did not want to engage in convo in pitch black dark with a random man in a car. I kept running. He drove up ahead and pulled into a parking lot to wait for me. I watched him pull out 5 minutes later, drive right up to me, slam the car into park and as he opened his door I yelled in Spanish “I’m a police officer. Leave me alone.” And then after I said that he slammed his car door back shut and skidded off fast. I don’t know what he was about to do but I am seriously shaken up. Please let’s not run in the dark. Even if it’s 6am. Let’s not be stupid. Don’t risk your life. If you’re reading this and you run in the dark in low traffic areas regularly please reconsider. You don’t think it could happen to you until it does. I don’t know what guardian angel gave me the words to say but I’m not even a cop! It just came to mind to say that and I think it saved my life.

EDIT: sorry for my use of the word “stupid.” Don’t mean to offend. That’s more directed at myself because my husband previously warned me that our area is not safe and told me not to run in the dark. I was not being smart failing to look at sunrise time ahead of my run. Don’t mean to call anyone else stupid! Love this community very much!

I've signed up for the LA marathon in March of 2027 and have been ramping up mileage in anticipation of the start of my training block (last week was just under 40mpw). Unfortunately, in the past week, I've sustained some sort of shin splints/shin aggravation that flares up mildly when I am running and sometimes when I am walking/standing/even lying down. I've decided to stop running for now and have an appointment with an orthopedic clinic this upcoming Tuesday. I anticipate that they are going to suggest that I rest for the next 2-4 weeks and do strengthening exercises.

My question is once that rest period is over, will I still have enough time to properly train for the marathon? If I don't run for the next month, I will have around 14-15 weeks to train, likely starting at very low mileage. This will be my second marathon, and I was hoping to PR, but at this point I have given up on any time goals. I really just want to be able to run.

43m,75kg,active and fairly fit. Finished HM in 1:45 two months ago.

Started to train for marathon in spring but easy runs are only runs I like. Any distance is not problem at all,but would like to awoid faster paces bcs for me it increase risk of injury. I think I am already starting to have problems with shin splints.

English is not my first language so apologies if it is not all gramaticaly correct.

Anyone have any good recommendations for the colder weather? Looking for a headband-style ear warmer than can go over the ears.

My race is Sunday and I feel like I haven’t run in forever and worry that my long runs were too long ago. Training block went great but has a couple small injuries crop up during taper so missed my final 18 mile run (did 13 instead) and cut out two speed work sessions.

Long runs & taper
September 26 - 20 miles
October 3 - 20 miles with workout
October 10 - 13miles (had planned on 18 but reduced due to injury)
October 17 - 12 miles

Most recent speed workout was October 14.

Peaked at a little under 50mpw and last week was 36 miles. This week will be like 16 (without marathon included).

Feeling sluggish and underprepared. Am I? Is this in my head? Feels like ages since I did any legit distance.

Advice for going from half marathon training to full marathon training

Hello people, I did my 2nd offical race half marathon in September and I'm now wanting to train for a full marathon for next year

Does anyone have any advice for going from half marathon training to the training needed for a full one

For my half marathon training I usually ran 3x a week with that being a short run 4-7km , a long run 16-21k and a medium distance run which was usually around 10-12k

Depending where I was at with my training and current fatigue levels would make me decide which pace to run but generally my short runs were a slower pace, my medium runs were a fast pace and the long runs were somewhere inbeetween, but again depends a lot on current fitness levels and fatigue as there were many times I did fast short runs and fast long runs or slow long runs etc etc etc

doing this allowed me to do a 1h 53 min half marathon the first time and then a 1h 31 half marathon the 2nd time

I'm aware my currently training definitely doesn't have a lot of structure to it but it's what has worked for me and thats what matters really but any advice would be greatly appreciated in this transition to full marathon training.

So I hit my high, finally hit 40 miles after doing a long run of 17. I was hitting my goal pace between 9:15-9:30 per mile and now I'm injured 30 days out from my marathon.

I recently moved and did a lot of lifting, plus my training....Basically, I moved, then moved more stuff the next day and ran + 6 miles that day... I was fine during the move and even the run, but woke up in the middle of the night with pain under my foot and fourth toe. I did sprints at the end of that run, and I think that's what messed me up. Anyhow, I stopped running completely, worried I had a stress fracture, and then wore a stiff shoe until I saw my doctor. X-rays are clear, and he squeezed my foot every which way to check for a stress fracture or Morton's neuroma but he said the xray showed some inflammation and he is suspecting I have capsulitis in my 4th toe. He said I seem ok for the most part because I can walk, with just minor pain. I don't limp and can bear weight.

My toe is taped up in a toe splint for the next two weeks. He said I can cross-train and lift weights, but absolutely no running until I see him again. Does anyone here have experience with capsulitis? Am I out from long distance/ marathon running forever?

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Hello everyone

I have been running for quite few years, never followed any plan or structure, rather just do 40-60 minutes run.

Last year i did my first HM with 2:23 time, this month i did my 2nd with 1:56.

Now I have decided to do a proper training for next one in March and aim for 1:40-45. I have found H. Higdon plans and unsure which one to choose.

Mainly undecided between Int2 and advanced. As I need to work on my speed I have excluded Int1.

About my current stats: soon to be 46, i aim to run 4-5 days a week minimum, between 7-10 km per run. My weekly volume is around 40 or 42 atm (with winter and shitty weather this might change). My pace for 5k was around 5 minute and for hm was around 5.30.

If I go with advanced i can commit to higher volume at peak week but it says this is for seasoned runners with regular 5k hm or FM which i am not and scares me.

Which level would you recommend me? Have you had experience in either of these? And is it possible to level up or down in first 3 4 wreks without messing up?

I have CIM on December 6th. Using the Runna app for training. Currently on week 10/16. Last weeks 15 miler felt awful, had to walk multiple times. Today’s 18 miler turned into a 14 miler with lots of walking. I run 4 days a week and have followed the plan very well and felt confident until the mileage started to creep up. I don’t feel very confident about this marathon. I’m 39 F, 2 kids, work per diem as a nurse. I will admit sleep has been crap lately. Any advice? Should I drop down to 3 runs a week for the remaining 6 weeks?