The past 18 weeks have included running hundreds of miles, 3 pair of running shoes, 3 lost toenails, battling snowstorms, freezing temperatures, pouring rain, and hours upon hours of training.
It all culminated this weekend, when I ran my first marathon.
It was a wonderful weekend---full of family, friends, and excitement in the air everywhere. I felt good--nervous, but prepared. I had trained hard for this moment, and I was ready to finally take the plunge.
(our training team before the race)
The day of the race proved to be slightly rainy, but cool--perfect running temperature in my opinion. There was just one thing wrong--I was sick. Not just the usual "nerves" sickness that plagues every long distance runner, but really sick, thanks to something I ate the night before--my one fatal error.
The day of the race proved to be slightly rainy, but cool--perfect running temperature in my opinion. There was just one thing wrong--I was sick. Not just the usual "nerves" sickness that plagues every long distance runner, but really sick, thanks to something I ate the night before--my one fatal error.
The first 13 miles went well, despite numerous stops I had to make in the lovely outhouses along the way. I was fighting back the nausea, but I was doing okay. We actually had to slow ourselves down a little, to keep on pace (reserving for the end), and I was feeling encouraged.
By mile 16, I was really feeling terrible, and I knew I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. At mile 19, our FABULOUS friends met us with signs, food, and lots of encouragement. Brook ran with us for about a mile, which made me cry, but gave me a push when I really needed it.
The last miles are kind of a blur, actually, and were really about survival for me. I just felt so sick, but stopping was not an option. Erica was my life preserver--through her motivation and encouragement, I kept going. We trained together, ran together, and we WERE going to finish together. Rick joined us at mile 25, after he had finished, and ran with us until the last quarter mile. His words of support were another lifesaver at a crucial moment, and for that I am grateful.
The last quarter mile was there, and Erica and I grabbed hands. We crossed the line together, tears pouring down our cheeks, with the cheers of friends and family ringing in our ears.
We did it. I did it. I ran a marathon.
With Erica...
Rick and me...
My girls! (Way to go Brook, on her own fantastic race!!! I'm so proud of her! I can't wait until we can all run together again...)
.....
It was a very bittersweet experience for me. I worked really hard, followed the training, and reached outside of myself to accomplish something I didn't ever think I could. I'm proud of myself for trying, and finishing. But there is a part of me that is disappointed.
We said from the beginning that we weren't worried about running it in a certain time--just to finish was the goal. I haven't changed that mindset at all, but we had kind of an idea where we might fall based on our longest training runs. Because of all the time taken when I needed to stop for the bathroom, and the much slower pace I had to adopt the last 8 or 9 miles, the end result was quite different than what I expected, and what I know we could have done. Knowing I could have been faster is hard to swallow, especially after so much work.
I've had a lot of time to think about this the last couple of days, and I AM proud of myself. It took a lot for someone that never considered herself a "runner" to train and run the distance. I finished, and kept going in spite of unfortunate circumstances. An ending time does not take any of that way, nor should it.
I am turning that disappointment into determination.
I'm going to keep running, because I love it, and I want to only get better and faster from here.
And don't be surprised when I sign up for the next one...
(despite what I said at the finish line) :)
By mile 16, I was really feeling terrible, and I knew I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. At mile 19, our FABULOUS friends met us with signs, food, and lots of encouragement. Brook ran with us for about a mile, which made me cry, but gave me a push when I really needed it.
The last miles are kind of a blur, actually, and were really about survival for me. I just felt so sick, but stopping was not an option. Erica was my life preserver--through her motivation and encouragement, I kept going. We trained together, ran together, and we WERE going to finish together. Rick joined us at mile 25, after he had finished, and ran with us until the last quarter mile. His words of support were another lifesaver at a crucial moment, and for that I am grateful.
The last quarter mile was there, and Erica and I grabbed hands. We crossed the line together, tears pouring down our cheeks, with the cheers of friends and family ringing in our ears.
We did it. I did it. I ran a marathon.
.....
It was a very bittersweet experience for me. I worked really hard, followed the training, and reached outside of myself to accomplish something I didn't ever think I could. I'm proud of myself for trying, and finishing. But there is a part of me that is disappointed.
We said from the beginning that we weren't worried about running it in a certain time--just to finish was the goal. I haven't changed that mindset at all, but we had kind of an idea where we might fall based on our longest training runs. Because of all the time taken when I needed to stop for the bathroom, and the much slower pace I had to adopt the last 8 or 9 miles, the end result was quite different than what I expected, and what I know we could have done. Knowing I could have been faster is hard to swallow, especially after so much work.
I've had a lot of time to think about this the last couple of days, and I AM proud of myself. It took a lot for someone that never considered herself a "runner" to train and run the distance. I finished, and kept going in spite of unfortunate circumstances. An ending time does not take any of that way, nor should it.
I am turning that disappointment into determination.
I'm going to keep running, because I love it, and I want to only get better and faster from here.
And don't be surprised when I sign up for the next one...
(despite what I said at the finish line) :)
