Chicago Marathon.

Today Mark is running the Chicago Marathon. It's not ideal weather for it; it's hot in Chicago. I wasn't able to go cheer him on and take pictures this year, so I'll share a few from his very first marathon, which was—where else?!—in the Windy City in 2004.

Our theme for the day was to take photos of ourselves in different areas of the city giving the thumbs-up sign. Here's me leaving for the race.

My brother and sister-in-law helped me navigate around the city. First, we tried to see him running in Bucktown, but had no luck. We couldn't get anywhere near the runners and we missed him.

Next we took the 'L'. That was pretty scary. There were a lot of people trying to move around the city to see the runners at different points and most were using public transportation to do it. The escalators were moving up to the platform, which was packed and there wasn't room for the people coming up the escalators. We had to walk on them in place to avoid being crushed. A fight nearly broke out and we were more than a little nervous in the situation.

We made it to Chinatown unscathed.

The runners in Chinatown. We did see Mark here, but I don't have a good photo.

We met up with him in Grant Park. A very proud moment. He's carrying a large bag of ice.

Even the huge blister on his fourth toe got a thumbs-up on this day!

And a thumbs-up from the man himself. He ran that first marathon in 3:38. He's hoping to run today's in 3:35 if he doesn't have to slow down due to the heat.

Yesterday it was near 90 when we went apple picking at noon. It was horribly uncomfortable - and I wasn't even running! I don't know how he does it. He's amazing.

And a shout out to our friend Tanya who is running in the marathon also - and it's her very first one.

Go runners!!