This was my first marathon and I am not sure anything will ever match the experience of running, in cold and rain for 26.2 miles with random strangers standing out in the cold and rain for 3-5 hours cheering for random strangers jogging by. It's ridiculously flat so it's probably a good first marathon from that perspective, but the crowd support is what really kept me going.

The final mile, when you are on Michigan and there are thousands of people cheering for you in the midst of the tall building - the sound is deafening...then to turn on Roosevelt, make the climb up the hill, turn left and see the finish line...it's something I will never forget. The feeling of accomplishment and pride...it is surreal.

If you are debating whether or not to try to do a marathon...start here...you will not be disappointed. The community on Social Media and the community of Chicago invests so much in this race...you can't help but be inspired to not give up and to finish!