Successfully Crossed the Finish Line at the 2024 Chicago Marathon
From 17 weeks of training to beating my personal marathon record
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
After 17 weeks of training, dedication, and perseverance, I crossed the finish line at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
Standing at the start line, I kept reminding myself to trust my training and to be as prepared as possible. I’m thrilled to share that I finished my third marathon and beat my previous personal record (PR) by 8 minutes!
You can follow my entire journey here
A Plan That Worked
This was my second time running the Chicago Marathon, and I’m glad to say that everything went according to the custom interval running workout plan I designed using data from all my training.
Garmin was my constant companion throughout this journey, and the plan helped me pace myself and conserve energy for the big day. Crossing that finish line was an incredible feeling, especially knowing I had stuck to the plan and executed it perfectly.
Grateful for the Support
This journey wasn’t something I accomplished alone. I’m deeply grateful for the love, encouragement, and support from my family, friends, and the running community.
My wife has been my biggest cheerleader. She walked nearly 10 miles to see me at three different spots on the course, cheering me on and giving me the boost I needed.
A special thank you also goes to the members of my running groups — the HIP Athletic Association Group and Fast Track Racing Team — who supported me every step of the way. Without this incredible community, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
Weight Loss Victory
When I began my marathon training 17 weeks ago, I weighed 267 pounds. On the day of the marathon, after all the training and carb-loading, I weighed 252 pounds. I’m proud to have lost 15 pounds while building strength and endurance during this journey.
At 51, I’ve learned how challenging weight loss can be, but this experience has reinforced my commitment to a healthy lifestyle and mindful eating.
Time to Celebrate
After all the hard work, it’s time to celebrate!
Crossing that finish line wasn’t just the end of the race — it was the culmination of months of dedication and effort. I’m ready to relax, reflect, and celebrate this accomplishment.
My 2024 Chicago Marathon Journey
Here’s a recap of my long runs throughout my 17-week journey:
Week 1: 6 Miles (Done)
Week 2: 8 Miles (Done)
Week 3: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 4: 12 Miles (Done)
Week 5: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 6: 14 Miles (Done)
Week 7: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 8: 16 Miles (Done)
Week 9: 10 Miles (Alpine Races 10 Miler) (Done)
Week 10: 18 Miles (Done)
Week 11: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 12: 13.1 Miles (Hidden Gem Half Marathon) (Done, PR by 10 minutes!)
Week 13: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 14: 20 Miles (Fox Valley 20 Miler) (Done)
Week 15: 10 Miles (Done)
Week 16: 6 Miles (Done)
Oct 13, 2024: 26.2 Miles (Chicago Marathon) (Done, PR by 8 minutes!)
I am truly grateful for this entire experience, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of those around me.
The Chicago Marathon was a personal triumph, not just because of the finish line, but because of everything it represents — the hours of training, the sacrifices, and the mental and physical growth along the way.
It’s time to celebrate and look forward to what’s next.
Thank you all for being part of this journey!
❤️Rajneesh