So Incredibly Incredible.

 

photo courtesy of @robertgray

With two or less hours of sleep, due to my new work schedule, I awoke at 7am to cheering outside my apartment window. I knew the Marathon was today, but had no idea that the race went right down my street! I immediately jumped out of bed, threw on some jeans, a hoodie (coincidently a Cross Country hoodie that I have had forever), boots, scarf, hat, and winter coat. I grabbed my keys and ran for it. I got downstairs just in time to see the wheelchair racers finish up and it was time for the runners. I have never watched a Marathon, but love amazing runners, and could really watch people run all day. I love running. Well, I used to love running and still absolutely love the idea of it and would really like to start training for a half marathon, but somehow I can't get myself to dedicate to a strict training program. I did go out an run 3 miles the other day, but didn't go the next day or the next day.. Anyway, I COULD NOT wait to see the first pack of runners! I nearly peed myself when they were approaching. It was INCREDIBLE! My first year of Cross Country in High School,we used to have Kenyan Day, where the captains would tell us inspiration stories about well known Kenyan runners, then we would go on Kenyan Runs.. and I don't even remember what they were.. Anyway.. here they came.. I wanted to cheer sooo loud, but have lost of voice due to the weather-changing illness that we all have around here! I was amazed. I then watched every single runner go by for about 2 hours.. and haven't been able to sleep all day. I feel like a child who goes to the Zoo for the first time! I guess I really love Running. I am truly inspired!



From WAtoday.com.au

Kenya's Wanjiru wins Chicago Marathon


* October 12, 2009 - 3:34AM


Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru, the reigning Olympic and London marathon champion, won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday in a course record of 2hrs 5mins 41secs to make a triumphant US debut.


Wanjiru defeated Moroccan runner-up Abderrahim Goumi by 23 seconds with Kenya's Vincent Kipruto another four seconds back in third in 2:06:08.


It was the fourth triumph in five career marathons for Wanjiru and his third major triumph in a row after last August's gold medal effort in China and his London victory six months ago.


Wanjiru, 22, was one second under the old Chicago Marathon mark set in 1999 by Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi.


Russia's Liliya Shobukhova won the women's race in 2:25:55, defeating runner-up Irina Mikitenko of Germany by 36 seconds.


Surging ahead of a pack of four at the final water tables, Shobukova left her rivals unable to answer the challenge although she was 91 seconds off her personal best and 8:37 off British star Paula Radcliffe's course record.


Mikitenko, the reigning London Marathon champion, was second in 2:26:31 with Russian Lidya Grigoryeva third in 2:26:47 and Ethiopia's Teyba Erkesso fourth, another nine seconds back.