I followed a 16-week training plan with Coach Jagadish Shinde to prepare for the Chicago Marathon. The plan was well-structured, helping me build a solid foundation, improve my strength, and peak at the right time. I began by focusing on building aerobic fitness, gradually increasing my weekly mileage to 110 km. Strength and endurance were key elements of my training, which included hill workouts, long runs, and interval sessions to boost stamina.
Few things that I did different in this training cycle -
As race day approached, I incorporated more speedwork to improve my pace and running efficiency. I also ran the hilly Hyderabad Half Marathon in 1:29 as a tune-up race, which helped me gauge my fitness and refine my race strategy.
During the last three weeks leading up to the marathon, I tapered my training to allow for recovery, concentrating on shorter runs and intervals to maintain sharpness without overexertion.
Throughout my training, I paid close attention to my diet and sleep, ensuring balanced nutrition and sufficient rest to aid recovery. This thoughtful approach, combined with my coach’s expert guidance, ensured I was in peak condition for the Chicago Marathon and able to perform at my best on race day.
I traveled to Chicago a few days ahead of the marathon, which gave me little time to settle in and get used to the new environment. The city had an amazing vibe, and it was thrilling to feel the marathon energy building up all around. This time, I traveled with a group, but I stayed in a separate hostel. Despite this, I stayed connected with my running friends and family for support. Their cheers and encouragement from home kept me motivated throughout.
The hostel I was staying in was buzzing with runners from all over the world, and it was fantastic to meet and chat with so many fellow marathoners. On Friday morning, I went for a 30-minute easy run and did some strides around the beautiful Lake Michigan. The chilly morning air was refreshing. After my run, I headed to the marathon expo, which was one of the highlights of my trip. The expo was incredibly well-organized, and the atmosphere was electric with excitement. I picked up my race bib and explored the various booths, grabbing some marathon gear as souvenirs.
There was so much to see and do, and the expo provided a lot of helpful information about race day logistics, which made me feel more prepared and excited for the big day.
Saturday was all about relaxation. I prepared my race day attire and made sure everything was ready. I spent the rest of the day resting and staying calm. This relaxed pre-race routine helped me stay focused and mentally prepared for the marathon. The combination of the supportive environment, the excitement of the expo, and the calm day of rest made me feel ready and eager to take on the Chicago Marathon.
On race day, I woke up early at 4:30 am, three hours ahead of the marathon’s 7:30 am start time. Being in Wave 1, Corral B, I knew I needed to be well-prepared and arrive at Grant Park with plenty of time to spare. The early morning was a mix of excitement and nerves. I had a light breakfast (banana and coffee) to fuel my run and double-checked all my gear to ensure everything was ready.
As I made my way to the race location, the atmosphere was electric. The streets were alive with runners, volunteers, and spectators, all contributing to the vibrant energy of the event. The sense of community and shared purpose was incredible, which helped to calm some of my pre-race jitters. When I arrived at Grant Park, I joined the other runners in Corral B and waited there until 7:00 am, then I started my warmup. The corral was filled with athletes warming up, stretching, and mentally preparing for the race ahead.
The organizers did a fantastic job of keeping everything orderly and on schedule, which helped to ease any lingering anxiety. As the start time approached, the excitement kept building, I had my Fast&Up energy drink and GU Roctane gel, and removed my additional layer. The announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeakers, and the crowd’s cheers grew louder. Standing there, surrounded by fellow runners, I felt a surge of adrenaline and was ready to race.
The moment the race began, all my nerves morphed into focused determination, and I set off on the journey through the streets of Chicago.
My goal was to break 2:55, so I aimed to maintain a steady, controlled pace right from the start. Chicago’s route is known for its GPS issues due to the skyscrapers and underpasses, which caused my watch to display some inaccurate paces early on. My second kilometer showed a pace of 3:28, the third kilometer showed 3:40, and the fourth kilometer jumped to 11:xx. After that, I decided to stop looking at my watch and just run by feel. My initial plan was to run the first half in about 1:27, but I ended up doing it in 1:25:XX, which was faster than my target. I knew I might pay the price in the second half.
My strategy was to keep a consistent effort throughout, but as the kilometers piled on, the challenge became tougher. I stuck to my hydration and fueling plan, making sure to take water or sports drinks at every station. I also took my gels at regular intervals to keep my energy levels up. Staying hydrated was key, especially in the later miles when I started to feel the fatigue. I used five gels but later realized I should have used eight.
Everything felt smooth through the first half, but after the 30 km mark, my thighs started to feel the burn, making it harder to keep up the pace. The fatigue in my legs slowed me down significantly. Despite that, I pushed through, focusing on moving forward, though I had to adjust my expectations as the race progressed. The last 5 kilometers were the most challenging, both physically and mentally. By this point, my body was exhausted and every step felt like a monumental effort. My thighs were burning, and fatigue had set in deeply. Despite this, my mental toughness shone through, pushing me to tolerate the pain and keep going.
During these final kilometers, my inner strength kept me moving forward. It was all about pushing through the pain and fatigue, focusing on my goal, and reminding myself of all the hard work and training that had brought me to this point. Positive self-talk became crucial. I kept telling myself, “I can do this,” “Just one more step,” and “I’m almost there.” I started visualizing myself crossing the finish line. Thinking about the support from my friends, family, and coach motivated me even more.
I broke the distance down into 500-meter segments. Instead of thinking about the remaining 5 kilometers, I focused on reaching the next 500 meters. In those final moments, the crowd’s cheers and the sight of the finish line getting closer gave me the extra push I needed. Crossing the finish line, despite the pain and exhaustion, brought an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride, making all the effort worthwhile.
Even though I didn’t hit my sub-2:55 goal, I was still proud of my effort and finishing in 3:03:04!
Crossing the finish line was a mix of relief and accomplishment. The finish line atmosphere was electric, with people cheering loudly, which made the moment even more special. After the race, the cold really hit me. I was too tired to celebrate much at that moment, so I walked back to the hostel to warm up and took a 30-minute nap to recover.
Chicago Marathon is a top-class race. The aid stations were incredibly well-organized, and the volunteers were fantastic. The crowd support was absolutely amazing, giving me an extra lift when I needed it most, especially as I was struggling in the later stages of the race.
Every race is a learning experience. One key takeaway from this race was that I should have used more gels. During the race, I took five gels, but I realized that eight would have been ideal to keep my energy levels more consistent, particularly in the final stages. This experience taught me a lot about pacing and the importance of listening to my body when things start to feel tough.
Below is a quick snapshot of my marathon journey. Staying consistent is the real challenge! Missed sub 3 in last 3 marathons but happy to crack BQ mark for 11 consecutive times & staying close to the 3-hour mark.
My next big goal is the London Marathon in April 2025. I’ll be adjusting my training and nutrition strategies based on what I learned from Chicago, aiming to improve and come back stronger for my next World Major!
A special thank you to my coach, Jagadish Shinde, for all the training and guidance. His expertise and encouragement played a crucial role in my journey to this marathon. I also want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their unwavering support and love throughout this journey. Your belief in me kept me going, and I’m truly grateful.
To achieve something great, you must be willing to take risks. Success often comes after multiple attempts, and I know that with perseverance, I will reach my goal. I will not give up.
Next Stop: the London Marathon!
Vishwas is a Pune based Mechanical Engineer working with Eaton India for last 20 years. Married to Vrushali & have 13 yr daughter Yadnya. Started running for fitness almost 12 yrs ago and later this has became passion which I love and enjoy a lot.
.