Dare To Dream

Some runners dream of glory. Some of PRs. Some of finishing a race. Some of post-race beer or ice cream.

Me, here's my latest running dream. I recently had to my knowledge my first ever pre-marathon nightmare as my Debut Chicago Marathon approaches ("debut" -- isn't that the word they use for all of us elite runners the first time we run a particular marathon?).

I was scooting along, nice and speedy, in a field of small and very spread out runners (right, only a handful of runners at the Chicago marathon) when, at about Mile Five, I realized I never took off my throw-away clothes and it was getting hot out there! So, I started to struggle to take them off with the help of married Flyers Heidi C and Don C who magically appeared on the course, like out of a dream. Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot -- it was a dream.

Well, it was taking, like, ten minutes, and I simultaneously was trying to check my Garmin to see how much time I was losing but I couldn't see the screen, and then I realized I also hadn't put any Vaseline or anything on my feet and was going to end up with blisters.

Dave K., the Dreamer

Just as I was deciding if I should turn the race into a fun run, or to try to make up my lost time, I suddenly woke up, realized I'd been dreaming, and sighed with relief in the comfort that I'd have another chance to screw things up in a couple of weeks.

Oy vay! Yet, certainly I'm not the only anxiety-ridden runner out there having weird dreams during this fall marathon season (or seasons prior). So, I hope other Flyers will reply to this post to share their nutty, neurotic, pre-marathon nightmares. -Dave K.