Chicago Marathon Andrew Nelson's Road to the Finish Line

Every marathon tells a story, not just of miles, but of mindset. For Andrew Nelson, that story stretched from Boston’s cool spring to Chicago’s crisp fall, with one constant along the way: learning how to balance training, nutrition, and hydration under the Florida sun.

After completing the Boston Marathon in April, Andrew set his sights on Chicago as his second marathon of 2025. Training through Florida’s summer heat was a challenge, demanding careful attention to recovery, electrolytes, and hydration. His preparation period was short, just 10 weeks, but focused on achieving a new personal record.

“Training for a fall marathon during Florida’s summer is a tough balance of nutrition and hydration,” Andrew shared. “I started off hot and was holding a sub 6:20 pace for the first 18 miles. Around mile 20, cramps set in with 10k left. It was a tough finish with no PR but strong goals set for 2026.”

Andrew’s experience reflects what every runner eventually learns, that performance is built not only through speed or endurance, but through discipline and balance. Hydration plays a quiet yet crucial role in that process. Consistent fluid intake and replenishing lost minerals can make all the difference between a strong finish and hitting the wall.

“Chaser Water was a big component during my training block for both Boston and Chicago,” he said. For Andrew, hydration was more than routine, it was recovery in action.

Every marathon teaches something new. Sometimes it’s patience, sometimes persistence, and often both. As Andrew looks toward 2026, his journey is a reminder that performance starts long before race day, and that true endurance begins beneath the surface.

In every race and recovery, there’s a quiet pursuit of balance, of giving your best while taking care of yourself. That pursuit is what Chaser Water stands for: pure, deep hydration that fuels not just performance, but the mindset behind it.