I'd given myself 26.2 days to train to finish my first marathon. I remember reading in A Non-Runner's Guide to Marathon Training that you shouldn't make time constraints on your marathon finish. I decided I wanted a steady pace, not to have to walk and to finish in 5 hours or less. Yes going against all I'd read.
I got up early on race day 4:00 am early and parked my car at a friends house and walked to the starting line. My friend Ashley rode her bike to the start to wish me well. A friend and his wife from my running group yelled my nickname at the start line. I saw my team captain who was running barefoot and my teammate who had a troublesome knee. The countdown by Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes started I pressed my strava timer put on my headphones and started running through city streets. Mile 1 was crowded and I began my positive self talk. Mile 3 I ran past a guy I once dated as he was at a stoplight cheering on runners he later sent a text to say congrats. I stayed focused on to mile 4 or was it 6 where friends in my running group were handing out beer and cheering on runners. Jen yelled my nickname and said you're my hero. That made me laugh and keep running. They had done trail chalk marks on the road and made the course entertaining. I had two gels in my bra that I kept fueling with and periodically accepted fluid that was handed to me at aid stations. I talked to a young lady because I liked her pink shirt and I continued to run. I decided to lose the headphones and become aware of my surroundings. At the halfway point I passed my friend Corinne who was on the uphill on her way to the halfway mark and carrying a 30 pound pack of dog food and supplies. She was running for a good cause. I got so overwhelmed with praise for her that I forgot to breathe and I almost toppled over just after I high fived her. Mile 14 and 15 I was ecstatic because I'd never run that far before. It was shortly after that my IT bands began protesting and I was faced with back to back hills I was determined to conquer. Shortly after mile 16 I began walking and here comes the woman in the pink shirt who tells me to keep going that I have been her pacer the entire time. I learn her name is Eunice and she and I complete the last ten miles talking and encouraging one another. There is a bridge at mile 25 and a tiny hill near the finish line. At that hill I get a pep talk from some awesome young man and I walk and run to the finish line. I didn't achieve my time or not walking goal, but I did finish and learned so much along the way. I didn't tell any of my family I was doing this I wanted to tell my mom when I went home to visit the following weekend.
I ran four days later with my running group and two days after that a 5k at altitude while visiting my family. I got to surprise my dad and all of my family with a visit home. It was great to see my youngest down syndrome brother Ben still knew who I was despite the schizophrenia that has altered him so much. He's very quiet, but still funny and sweet like he has always been. My mom showed me all her fabric and new quilt design and let me take baby quilt fabric with me. She also gave me two books by Carla Kelly. She's an author my mom got me to thoroughly enjoy. I loved seeing my 4 month old nephew Sol he is so sweet. My youngest niece and nephew didn't remember me that was hard, but as time went on they warmed up to me. My niece was hilarious as she learned I lived near the beach she said,"I hope not one with jellyfish."
On my flight home from Utah I was in the San Francisco airport as I learned of the Boston Marathon bombing. My heart was immediately turned to my friend Scott and the athletes of Los Angeles Speed Project. An overwhelming sigh of relief came over me when I received report they were okay.
The following week I used my days off to push my fitness limits. I did a CrossFit workout that really tested my abilities. It was run, toes2bar, 95# weighted lunges...shut up legs!!! Then I spent 3 hours sitting in a car traveling to a bike race. The following morning I learned I could test ride a mountain bike on the race course and for almost 2 hours I had the best riding I'd experienced in the 2 years since I discovered the sport. The next day my legs were more sore than I ever remember them being. Even the marathon didn't leave me sore...only tired for days!
Friday I treated myself to trading in my Tahoe for a smaller SUV and honestly 3 hours in a dealership can't compare to a marathon! I'd much rather be running.
Saturday I ran a successful 5k that was a struggle and today I ran a short trail run with Ashley who is doing her first half ironman at an event this weekend. I only wish I could cheer her on and take pictures and ride my bike to push her on course when she needs it most just like she did for me.
This month was one long month that felt like alot of full and mini marathons. It's been full of changes and all very welcomed!
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