Chicagoing: Chicago Marathon Weekend Prep

It's finally race week! This weekend I'll be running my 7th Chicago Marathon.
It's usually around this time that I start to have the nightmares. First, the one about how I missed the race--this almost happened one year when the cab I called didn't show up, and I only arrived at the race a mere 10 minutes before the start. The one where I forget something really important--which really did happen my last race when I forgot my timing chip and ran as a "ghost runner". And the one where I can't figure out where to run--this never actually happened.
The marathon will be this Sunday where they're projecting a sunny and steamy 81 degree day. This will be perfect for the 1 million spectators, but not so ideal for the 40,000 runners.
The pooches have diligently been helping me prepare. Mr. B. loaded up his backpack and we've been making daily pit stops at La Farine: the best bread bakery in all of Chicago. Friday is actually the most important time to carbo-load, but I've been eating bread throughout the day and accompanying my pasta.

Miss M is all about helping me with the additional eating and drinking. I learned not to eat many proteins for 3 days before the race; they take longer to process in your system and you don't want anything in your stomach after all that heavy pounding. I also increase my salt intake to balance all the extra water I'm drinking.

I don't do much running in the days right before the race, but I'm still stretching on the Yoga Mat so I don't get tight. Luckily Miss M is all about being my yoga brick.

 And most importantly, the pooches will be serving as my "markers" during the race. See, some spectators bring balloons or signs so they stand out among the crowd and their runner can find them. Some of the markers look similar, so it's hard to tell who you're looking for, but I know I will be able to pick my two pitties out of the crowd. Plus, it's another chance for them to wear a costume.

I actually didn't know anything about marathoning before I went to watch the marathon one year. It's amazing to see everyone, from older people, to bigger people, to a severely pregnant woman, to people in full mascot gear running the race. I figured if they could do it, I didn't have an excuse. And 7 years later, I'm still running. The best part of the Chicago Marathon route is that it really does wind its way through the entire city where the diversity and community support are amazing. From the male cheerleaders in Boystown, the mariachi bands in Pilsen, and the dancing dragons in Chinatown it's definitely enough to keep me entertained for the entire 26 miles. Anyone planning on going out to watch?