I am a marathoner!

I can't believe it! I ran 26.2 miles. It's all a little surreal right now. I have been prepping for this since last November and now it's finally OVER! Training for this started off as not really something I wanted to do. But the more I ran and the closer I got to the race the more excited I was to see if I could actually do it. I'm not going to lie it was HARD! Mentally tough getting out of bed early in the morning time after time to just RUN! Saturdays were especially tough on my log runs. I felt guilty being gone from my family for hours at a time and the only thing I was accomplishing was RUNNING. My last long run before the race was a 20 miler. That run was especially tough. Meagan started running with me but had to stop at mile 8 and had her mom come pick her up. I finished the 20 miles on my own and it was not as much fun as running with someone. Those last 3 miles were KILLER! When I finished that 20 miles I remember thinking "there's no way I could do another 6 miles" I should mention that on this long run I didn't pack ANY food or energy supplements. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I'm not very experienced with the whole making sure to have energy and such. So in my mind I didn't really think I needed it. Lesson learned.

 (Meagan and I at the start)

 

2 days prior to my race I had butterflies in my stomach, I was anxious and excited and nervous. I felt prepared but still had NO idea what was in store for me. Friday night I didn't sleep very well, I kept waking up and checking the clock. Steps prior to my race:

4:00am woke up (haha more like I was already awake and just got out of bed.)

4:30am picked Meagan up and drove to the finish line where our shuttle was waiting
5:00am hopped on the shuttle bus and headed for the start line
6:30am The race was off!!!
10:30 FINISH!!!! Yay!

At the start of the race I had a small water bottle bag the strapped around my waist and had a little storage. I packed a baggies of apples, some GU energy gel (caffiene free), and energy bead things (basically jelly-bellies), small thing of vaseline and of course a water bottle. Throughout the race I found that I drank at the water stations more because it was easier and less of a hassle. So at about mile 18 I ditched the bag and gave it to a friend cheering for me!

My entourage of cheerleaders along the way:
I really wasn't expecting much support along the way because my kids had soccer games and I know that Saturdays are crazy for most families. Two of my friends from our RAGNAR team and Runner's club came to cheer me on. I saw them at mile 17 and then again at about mile 18. My good friend Elizabeth came and snapped a couple pictures. Ron surprised me with the kids and from about mile 18 and on I saw them about 4-5 times. It was very fun to hear my kids yelling and cheering for me. Poor Callie seemed a little confused, but happy when she saw me. At the last mile my parents showed up! They were so sweet yelling and cheering for me. Finally, at the finish my good friend Amanda Wruble showed up along with my parents and Ron.

My actual race:
I feel like this blog post is all over the place but I don't want to forget one thing. When the race started it was mostly downhill which helped us get a fast start time. I had planned on running with Meagan and Erin, no strings attached we were all going to run our best and see where that got us. We started off pretty fast at about a 7:45 pace. As the race progressed there was a couple of hills but we maintained an 8:10 pace. We lost Meagan at about mile 5, then Erin and I both maintained an 8:10pace. At mile 11 Erin started experiencing some cramping in her legs so she stopped to stretch and use the restroom. I waited for her and we continued. I'm not sure exactly when but I think about mile 14 is when she told me to keep going, her cramping legs were really bugging her. I was sad to continue with out her but felt like I needed to keep going. As I continued running I noticed my pace slowing drastically. I just couldn't pick up the pace. My legs wouldn't do what they were told, I kept looking at my watch and it would read 10min/ mile or even 11min/mile pace. I remember thinking "really? I'm going that slow. Why can't I speed up?" Energy wise I felt good, my legs felt good (other than my right knee aching a little). I was very excited and happy to see my family cheer me on along the hardest 6 miles of my LIFE. Seriously those last 6 miles took FOREVER!!! I remember thinking it's not over yet?!?! I wanted to stop and walk but I continued. As I rounded the last main corner of the course I remember not feeling much, just numbness and a desire to see the finish. At this point I thought I would be a little more emotional but everything was just a blur. I kept thinking "Where is the finish? I just want to see the finish!" When I drove the marathon route with my mom 2 days prior I was a little emotional at the end of the course and choked up a little at the excitement of completing this goal. Well, I finally finished at 4:03 and I'm happy. Not exactly what I thought I'd get but I will take it and LEAVE it! In my future I'm thinking a half marathon will be the most running I'll do! No more of this26.2 miles! Yay! I did it!


Erin and I

Amanda and I

My battle wounds:
Pretty much my right knee is a little achy (I think it's my IT band so I'm trying to roll it out on my foam roller) and my toes have some blisters. I know I will for sure lose my right toenail! haha I think running Ragnar the week before I got a blister under this toe and then the Marathon made it re-blister and raise up. Kinda painful and gross. Oh-well! they grow back right?!! :)
Right foot:

left foot: