The 2017 Chicago Marathon was my 4th time running this amazing race. I once again trained with CARA, being a pace leader for the 1030Awesomes. I was running this year with my husband, who was running his very first Chicago Marathon. Race day morning was easy peasy...took the train down, indoor gear check at the CARA compound in the Palmer House, quick 1/2 mile walk to the start. The starting chute was a little crowded due to increased security, but I was more than happy for this given the climate. We started off this year at a yellow, moderate conditions. The skies were sunny, breezy and temperature a wee bit warmer than ideal. We got off at about 830am for the best 26.2 tour of the city. Running through downtown is always amazing, mile two by the Chicago Theater, then to the financial district and up LaSalle. Running downtown was nice as the buildings shaded us a bit for the beginning. Once up to LaSalle and North Ave, about mile 5, the sun was peeking out and shining on us! By then it was getting a bit warm and we were stopping at the aid stations for much needed water. The aid station volunteers are bar non the best Ive ever encountered at any marathon, their spirit, encouragement, dedication keep the runners going. Mile 6 brought us to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Shannon Rover Pipe Band greeting us, a first this year! I stopped for a bit to do the reel:) Moving forward, running on the inner drive to miles 7-8 bring us up to Addison and Broadway and Boystown. Love the atmosphere and energy!!! This area def keeps you smiling and pushing on! Back to the course, we go to mile 10-11, down Clark Street to Welles, great shade this year, I was thankful for that. I did miss the beer man on Welles this year...he was not present:( Mile 13 comes about, Charity Row, which is on Jackson. This is the area where all the participating charities are, so much energy, thanks and cheering here will be pushing you thru the next 13.1 miles left on your journey. By this point, it was getting much warmer. Mile 14 brings us to UIC and Taylor Street, hot, not the area, the temperature. Keep running, just keep running, make it to Pilsen. We made it to Pilsen, 18th street and Ashland, about mile 18. This is my ALL time favorite area to run. The locals make you feel so special, they are out there cheering for you! I stopped for my obligatory beer shot and tequila shot, high fives kids, did a little salsa dance, too! My runner's high got me to Chinatown and then I was kinda deflated. The energy is a lot less noticeable than Pilsen...a lot less. Just keep running. Just Keep running, its a 10k from here. By this time, there were sponge stations giving out cold and cool sponges to all the runners, THANK YOU! I grabbed ice from people on the side of the road at mile 22 and stuffed it into my bra...you could here me running! Mile 24 brought about jello shots...i had one, of course! 2 miles left, I CAN DO THIS!! These are the toughest miles, both mentally and physically, however, the crowds cheering you on keep you going. Running up Mount Roosevelt to Columbus drive and the finish had me in tears...I did this, i DID it!!! This Chicago Marathon was my worst running time EVER, did not get my PR I was hoping for, not even close, but I did have a great time. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this run...