My 4th Marathon = Winning

   As many of you know, I am training once again for the Chicago Marathon!! It will be my 4th Chicago Marathon and I can't be more excited!!  Each marathon came with it's own set of trials and difficulties and this marathon is no different... Let me rewind for a second...

   

    1st marathon:  Training was amazing! I was beyond surprised by my determination and my own abilities. I knew I wanted to run a marathon but who knew if it was really possible!  I was on pace to have a marathon under 4hrs! DAMN!  But at mile 16/17 (not quite sure which) my knee decided it was done... I was in so much pain and had no idea what was wrong with me - I'd never had knee pain before.  I hadn't seen my family since mile 12 and I didn't see them until mile 23, by this point my time had dropped off drastically.  When I finally saw them I started bawling and hyperventilating.  My Mom being ever supportive told me that I had come WAY TOO far not to finish and she made my sister jump in and encourage me across the finish line.  She then called my Dad and told him that I was on my way.  The turn up a slight hill and towards the finish line never looked so good!  Suddenly I heard my Dad's voice and I ran over to receive a kiss and a rose and I finished the race!! Most incredible experience in my life so far...

    2nd Marathon:  I still hadn't figured out the knee issue but was determined to redeem myself on the Chicago Marathon course.  Little did I know at the end of my first marathon I had inspired my Dad and my sister Katie at ModlyChic, to get into running.  We ran my second marathon together.  We did the first few miles or so together and then I found my rhythm and left them behind.  But of course my knee decided not to cooperate and I ended up finishing in almost the same exact time as my first marathon with my Dad and Katie finishing before me... Despite being disappointed in my time, it was the most incredible experience to be able to share the training runs, the excitement and joy of race day, that I wouldn't trade it for the world!

3rd Marathon:  This marathon wasn't about a time for me at all.  It was about running the race with one of my best friends!  Whatever pace she was at, I was going to be there right with her.  It was a great experience and so much fun to do together... we still reminisce! Thankfully my knee held up for this race...

Marathon 4: Is this year... I took a year off between marathons to work with my trainer Jose and get my knee super strong so that it won't be an issue in this race!  But of course I have had other issues with my training this year... Shoes that make my feet bleed... An insanely busy summer... Figuring out how to reduce gluten and be gluten free to overcome an ongoing exhaustion... Pushing past my fear of having my knee flare up and be in horrible pain.  But the thing that keeps me going is the fact that this year, the race isn't about me.  It's not about how fast I can be or how I need to redeem myself on the course.  This year it's all about the charity I am running it for... Team Salute!  I couldn't be more excited about raising money for such a worthy cause.  My brother became a Marine in January and I couldn't be more proud of him... I had been looking for a while to find a charity that really hit home for me and it wasn't until I was at my brother's Marine Corps graduation from boot camp that I realized that these men and women give so much to protect our wonderful country.  No matter what their role is in the Military, they have made incredible sacrifices from giving their lives to just giving a few years to our country.  What better way to say thank you than to run for Team Salute to Honor the service and Remember the Sacrifice!  So no matter what happens in this year's marathon, it will be a win and probably the most emotional and rewarding marathon I have ever experienced!    If you'd like to help me reach my fundraising goal, you may go here: http://www.active.com/donate/2012TSCHMarathon/EmilyHinderer