Monday, October 14, 2013

Emma runs the Chicago Marathon.

Chicago. Dog park. Sisters.


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We drove thru horrid rain and traffic to get to Chicago by 3:30 on Saturday.  Emma's new apartment is very nice and right next to a big park.  (She lives in Lincoln Square...which is NOT Lincoln Park.  It's farther away from the city and middle class.)  Soon after arriving we went to the dog park.  It is one of my favorite things to do...because it is Ginny's favorite thing to do.


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This is our girls....in a nutshell.


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A very nice picture.  Sadly out of focus.  But I like it anyway.

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At mile eleven right outside an apartment building Emma lived in at Moody.
She was doing great at this point.
She said that she really felt quite good...



So proud!!! Mile 24!!!!!

Until the last eight miles.
This is mile 24.  Emma was slowing down but perked right up when she saw us!!
She later told me that at this point all you can think of is "Why are we all doing this? Never again."
She said that her hands were tingling and her legs were numb.

Her time was 4:49:18

Her training was interrupted this last month due to illness and an injury so we are all so happy she tried it anyway and finished with a nice score!  The average woman's score is 4:51.

We are so proud of her and were so thrilled to be her support and encouragement along the way.  She says she saw many friends and was tickled by that!


We were impressed by the guys and girls who tear by and run the race in two hours.  It is unthinkable how they can run like that.
We were touched by the blind people running with guides and humored by the people in silly costumes.  Katie found Waldo and yelled to him, I found you!


Emma was happy to finish the race and feel so well.  We are glad she did not drop dead like that ancient dude.

It was a perfect day for a marathon and for making memories that will last a lifetime.


Encourage one another,
Donna







27 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:52 AM

    Way to go, Emma!!! How wonderful that you all went to support her run! She is an inspiration for sure! I will be running my first 5k this weekend...the difference, I am 60 years old and just starting to run...what am I thinking???? Congrats to Emma!

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  2. I just sat down to drink a cup of coffee and saw this post! hooray for a great finish! Especially considering her gap in training and recent iillness. BRAVO!

    When in Lincoln Square to see Allison, we went right past the area where Emma's apartment is. I of course thought of you all - Lincoln Sq. is a cool area in my books. I had the best gelato in ages across from Gene's. But I digress ...

    I'm so glad Emma saw you during her run - when my hubby does his races in the mountains here, it is a challenge to connect, to spot him - and I'm always THRILLED to grab a photo too. I have also seen blind runners with guides and it is very special, isn't it?

    thanks for sharing this important occasion with us Donna :-)

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  3. Amy J in WI10:05 AM

    Wow - major kudos to Emma. Can't even imagine running that far. Ever. I am also glad that she didn't drop dead like that "ancient dude." I am sure some homeschooling mom can fill in the name for us!

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  4. Oh my gosh... Emma is quite amazing!!! Love all the pictures!! The one of Emma with her hair blowing.... breathtaking! So happy you had such a wonderful family weekend. Love that dirty Ginny!! She would fit in so well her in Little Compton!

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  5. Anonymous10:05 AM

    So very exciting and great photographs of all, especially the out of focus one of the three Boucher Girls! I was reading along and enjoying it all and then you as you sometimes do...zinged in with "glad she did not drop dead like the ancient dude." I spit hot chocolate into the air...just made me laugh...and almost die from choking like the ancient dudette I am/NOT. Love and prayers and thanksgiving to God for a race run well and memories made, jep

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    Replies
    1. I agree totally with jep - I loved the photo of the 3 of you, Donna, and didn't even notice if it was out of focus because it is so lovely. Way to be in the picture!

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  6. Anonymous10:16 AM

    Ah this just made me cry and cry. Well done Emma!
    Thank you for sharing, Momma.

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  7. Yay, Emma!

    hmbalison

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  8. p.s. Mint green is a great color on Emma. And I also love the picture of the three of you.

    hmbalison

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  9. All along I thought Emma was running a half until I saw twitter etc....WOW. Congratulations to Emma for such an accomplishment. And such a great time. :) So fun for you to cheer her on. I love the pictures.

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  10. Anonymous10:24 AM

    Way to go, Emma!
    Lovely post of perseverance, achievement, love, and happiness!

    Happy Monday!
    Love,
    Sarah P. from Iowa

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  11. Anonymous10:32 AM

    Major congrats to Emma on such a wonderful accomplishment! And how wonderful that you were there to spur her on when she needed it! I especially love the picture of Patrick high fiving her, Katie cheering and just a glimpse of Emma's big smile. :)

    Mary Z

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  12. Emma giving her day "High five" - the best. I'm so glad you could watch her. It is such a great accomplishment of perseverance and dedication.

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  13. Thank you! It was hardest thing I have ever done. Amazing way to see Chicago, even though I was in a daze for the last few so I didn't experience the south/west side as much as I would have liked. So many incredible volunteers and fans, they really make all the difference!

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  14. Other than sleep, I'm not sure I've done anything for almost five hours straight!!! Big.Giant.Kudos to Emma!

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    1. Tawnya, I've watched five hours of tv straight a time or two.

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    2. Pride and Prejudice BBC?

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    3. {{{LIKE}}} :-)

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  15. Congratulations to Emma! I remember those last 6 miles of my marathon... pure torture. I remember seeing people walking towards me with finishers medals on, and it encouraged me a bit, because I knew there WAS a finish line, but I also kind of hated them, because they were done, and I wasn't. ;)

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  16. Way to go Emma! Well done! Love the picture of you 3 together.

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  17. My goodness. Good for her! I can't imagine what training for that must be like.

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  18. Late chiming in. Boy, I am so out of shape, I am tired just looking at the great pics and pretending to be in the moment. Such a wonderful achievement (sp !) Loved the pic of the 3 of you. Donna, you look like you have lost weight !

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  19. Nope. Smoke and mirrors.

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  20. I need some of that smoke, some of those mirrors (-:

    My favorite: the second of the Patrick and Emma shots. Love those Dad/daughter moments!!!

    Way To Go, Emma. Do you have your 26.2 sticker yet? I haven't bought my 0.0 one, but I need to.

    Love,
    Di

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  21. Congratulations, Emma! Job well done! The picture of the three of you is lovely.

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  22. Congratulations, Emma!! I can't even imagine! (Although I want to...)

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