Chicago Marathon Report...3:39:19

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Around 50 degrees at the start and a bit overcast.
I didn't know what to expect, this being my first, and I was worried about my knee that had been bothering me since just after Labor Day.
I went in thinking to myself, just finishing 18 weeks of training including 4 - 20 milers, the last one being 21, was a big accomplishment.
I started out fine, knee wrapped up like a Christmas Present, smelling like Icy Hot. The first 10 miles literally just peeled off easily, one after the other.
I met up with mrsbill and my brother at the half-way point and things were just beginning to hurt. Not bad, just gently letting me know I was not 18 yrs old anymore.
By mile 16, I was hurting a little more now, but sort of on and off. I never really faded from my pace, just stopped a little more often for water and gatorade, didn't want to totally cramp up. The crowds in Chicago are absolutely awesome. Literally everywhere on the course. Shouting out and cheering for every runner. I really don't think I could have made it without them. This is where I really started relying on them.
I was looking forward to the next meeting with mrsbill and brother to get a dose of Body Glide, as I was getting just a tad raw, and sweating just enough to be uncomfortable.
At 21, they gave me some water and the Glide, I hastily went to put some on the old 'pecs', not realizing I hadn't turned the stuff up, like deodorant, and being brand new kind of scraped the old, sore nipples. Excitement, I guess. I finally got the stuff on and was back on my way.
The last 5 miles made me realize what marathoners are made of. It really is mind over matter. What's the old saying?
At 20 I felt like I was going to die. At 22 I wished I were dead. At 24 I was sure I was dead. At 26.2 I realized that I was too tough to kill!
I never thought that it was in the bag, I wasn't going to count on it until I hit the finish mat.
Coming in the last 200 meters or so, the emotion really got to me. I could hardly breathe with all the people cheering in the stands and me finally realizing how close I was to finishing a marathon, my first.
I hit the mat with the clock reading 3:41:02! I was ecstatic. I had actually finished 26.2 miles.
My goal before training was to finish in under 4 hours. By the time training was done, I was pretty confident I could hit 3:45 if nothing was bothering me. I was totally shocked with my time.
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!
Chip time, unofficially came out at 3:39:19! Whew!!
Congratulations to all who ran today!