Saturday, August 11, 2012
Two years
Monday, March 12, 2012
Marathon Pictures
Just for practice...
Before the race
Sprinting at the end
Crossing the finish line!
The runners!
Sprinting at the endCrossing the finish line!
The runners!
Friday, February 10, 2012
We did it! 26.2!
January 15, 2012.
This will be a day that I hope to remember for the rest of my life. I achieved something that I never thought was possible. I ran 26.2 miles. So many people have said to me that there is no way they could do it, and I used to be one of them, but I can honestly say that almost anyone can complete a marathon if they really want to do it. I’m not saying it was easy, it was probably one of the most mentally and physically challenging things I have done, but it was so worth it and I feel so good that I did.
The last weeks and days leading up to the actual race were stressful and crazy! For one thing we decided to move out of our apartment and into a rental house, and started moving January 6. We were completely out of our apartment January 11. Plus, Rob was taking finals, and I was still working through it all. Needless to say, I didn’t get the last few training runs in. I started feeling discouraged that I didn’t finish out my training. I knew I wasn’t hydrating and carb-loading/fueling as well as I could have, and feeling frustrated and defeated before I even got to race day. I started to worry that I wasn’t going to be able to run as fast as Rob, or Millie and they’d leave me far behind in the dust. I worried that I would have to walk during the race. I was feeling bad that my final time wouldn’t be as good as I had hoped. A few days before the race I stood in the shower and said, No! I am not going to feel bad about this Marathon. I have been training my body for 16 weeks. This whole training program hasn’t been about how fast I can go, or who I can keep up with. This is about finishing. I changed my outlook and thoughts and got excited. I was going to run this race. I didn’t care how long it took me. I didn’t care how slow I ran and who passed me up. I was going to run, and enjoy every moment. I vowed I would take in the excitement of every mile, every person cheering us on, every person running beside, in front, and behind me. I decided to be grateful for the experience of running a marathon! How many people can say they have done it? I was ready.
My sisters and parents came to Arizona; Katie to run the half, Millie to run the full, and my parents and Abbie to cheer us on and watch all the kids. It was so great to see them all. My dad booked a hotel suite Saturday night close to the race so we could get there without too much trouble the next morning.
Race Day
We got up very early Sunday morning and headed out on the train to start the race. The morning was a little chilly, but not too bad. How exciting to see all the runners! I remember the nervousness and excitement and how I just wanted to start! The race was delayed 20 or more minutes, so we all stood around anxious to get going! Pretty soon, we did! It felt so great! Rob left Millie and I very soon after the start, probably the first mile. That was fine, I think he was just anxious to get going too! Millie and I took it easy the first few miles to get warmed up. Those first few miles just flew by. I couldn’t stop smiling…I was actually doing this! It was so fun seeing people standing on the side of the road waving, cheering, holding signs. There were bands and cheerleading groups along the route as well as just random well wishers! My parents were waiting for us at mile 7 and took our warmer clothes. I sure was ready to lose that sweater! The weather was absolutely perfect. It was a little overcast so it wasn’t too hot. The fam surprised us again at mile 8, then they were off to see Katie finish the half.
I really didn’t want to fun out of fuel, so I was eating sport jelly beans and drinking lots of sports drink and water. Unfortunately, all that liquid has to go somewhere. I kept telling Millie I needed to pee, and she kept telling me to hold it. Well, by mile 13 I couldn’t hold it anymore. We were still going strong and feeling good but I had to stop. We both stopped and used the port-a-potty. Ahhh. I felt so much better and Millie said, “No more stops!” At this point, we were at a area of the race where it was a out and back section. We could see the speedy racers running back on the other side of the road. It was really fun seeing and watching other people coming the other direction, one of whom was Rob! He was making great time. One of my friends from work was waiting at mile 16, and knowing she was there to cheer for me kept me going strong. I gave her a big hug and just kept running. I was surprised at how good I was still feeling at this point. I had eaten a couple GU’s by now to make sure I kept my energy up. Well, soon after this point Millie wasn’t looking so good. Her stomach was really cramping and she needed to use the bathroom. I told her, “Just hold it! No more stops!” Well, we both stopped and took another visit to the port-a-potties at mile 18. This was our last stop before the finish.
We were coming to the home stretch. I was starting to have some pain in my lower back from the constant pounding, but still feeling ok. 18 miles was the longest I had run in training, but I didn’t feel like I had to stop. When we hit mile 20, I think Millie and I really started to feel the pain. We tried to encourage each other by telling each other how much fun we were having and wish we could run for 10 more miles. We started to see a lot of walkers at this point and passed a lot of racers. Even though we were getting tired, and hurting, I was determined to keep going. I had run for 20 miles and had only 6 to go. I was not going to walk now. I got a little emotional at about 22, and almost starting crying. I looked over at Millie and was so grateful to have her next to me. I pulled it together and kept on going. I know Millie was hurting too, and she asked me if I wanted to slow down. I told her no, and I kept on pushing. Boy, those last few miles were really tough. Even though it was hard, I am proud to say that we never walked. Coming into the home stretch I asked Millie if we were going to sprint to the finish. She looked at me like I was crazy and said no…but right near the end she broke out in a sprint. I took off right behind her. It was so exhilarating to find that extra burst and push it hard to the end. I remember the overhead announcer saying, “We got a couple of sprinters here!” Millie crossed the finish line at 4:33.25 and I was right on her heels at 4:33.26. I was extremely proud of my time, especially considering I wanted to finish under 5 hours with my goal being 4:40. Rob ended up finishing at 4:25:52. He got about 20-30 minutes ahead of us but the last 6 miles his legs started cramping and he had to slow way down and walk. I’m impressed he finished as well as he did with all the cramping he was having in his calves, shins, and hamstrings.
Crossing that finish line brought such a surge of feelings…and boy did it hurt. I was surprised at how fast my body wanted to shut down as soon as I stopped running. I could hardly walk. The three of us limped around getting food to replenish, and find the family. Then getting to the car? Wow, longest walk of my life. I have never felt so sore, and stiff. Just thinking about it now makes me hurt. I heard it really helps with recovery if you can sit in an ice bath for 15-20 minutes after a marathon, so when we got home I figured I’d stand in the ice cold pool for 15 minutes. I took Abbie out with me and told her to time me. I got in that water and it took my breath away. I stood there and couldn’t believe how bad that water hurt… it was so cold! I couldn’t help myself and started bawling from the pain. I hopped out of that pool with tears running down my face. I think I lasted 1 minute. I decided I could deal with being sore. And boy was I sore. The next few days I could hardly walk. Going up and down stairs was killer. I told myself I would never run a marathon again. But, I think running a marathon is like having a baby. Once the pain fades, you forget all the bad and only remember the good. I’m now ready to do it again!
Finishing a marathon was such an amazing experience. I can honestly say I really enjoyed myself. I really tried to take in the atmosphere and journey of that race. It made me believe in myself, and know that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
This will be a day that I hope to remember for the rest of my life. I achieved something that I never thought was possible. I ran 26.2 miles. So many people have said to me that there is no way they could do it, and I used to be one of them, but I can honestly say that almost anyone can complete a marathon if they really want to do it. I’m not saying it was easy, it was probably one of the most mentally and physically challenging things I have done, but it was so worth it and I feel so good that I did.
The last weeks and days leading up to the actual race were stressful and crazy! For one thing we decided to move out of our apartment and into a rental house, and started moving January 6. We were completely out of our apartment January 11. Plus, Rob was taking finals, and I was still working through it all. Needless to say, I didn’t get the last few training runs in. I started feeling discouraged that I didn’t finish out my training. I knew I wasn’t hydrating and carb-loading/fueling as well as I could have, and feeling frustrated and defeated before I even got to race day. I started to worry that I wasn’t going to be able to run as fast as Rob, or Millie and they’d leave me far behind in the dust. I worried that I would have to walk during the race. I was feeling bad that my final time wouldn’t be as good as I had hoped. A few days before the race I stood in the shower and said, No! I am not going to feel bad about this Marathon. I have been training my body for 16 weeks. This whole training program hasn’t been about how fast I can go, or who I can keep up with. This is about finishing. I changed my outlook and thoughts and got excited. I was going to run this race. I didn’t care how long it took me. I didn’t care how slow I ran and who passed me up. I was going to run, and enjoy every moment. I vowed I would take in the excitement of every mile, every person cheering us on, every person running beside, in front, and behind me. I decided to be grateful for the experience of running a marathon! How many people can say they have done it? I was ready.
My sisters and parents came to Arizona; Katie to run the half, Millie to run the full, and my parents and Abbie to cheer us on and watch all the kids. It was so great to see them all. My dad booked a hotel suite Saturday night close to the race so we could get there without too much trouble the next morning.
Race Day
We got up very early Sunday morning and headed out on the train to start the race. The morning was a little chilly, but not too bad. How exciting to see all the runners! I remember the nervousness and excitement and how I just wanted to start! The race was delayed 20 or more minutes, so we all stood around anxious to get going! Pretty soon, we did! It felt so great! Rob left Millie and I very soon after the start, probably the first mile. That was fine, I think he was just anxious to get going too! Millie and I took it easy the first few miles to get warmed up. Those first few miles just flew by. I couldn’t stop smiling…I was actually doing this! It was so fun seeing people standing on the side of the road waving, cheering, holding signs. There were bands and cheerleading groups along the route as well as just random well wishers! My parents were waiting for us at mile 7 and took our warmer clothes. I sure was ready to lose that sweater! The weather was absolutely perfect. It was a little overcast so it wasn’t too hot. The fam surprised us again at mile 8, then they were off to see Katie finish the half.
I really didn’t want to fun out of fuel, so I was eating sport jelly beans and drinking lots of sports drink and water. Unfortunately, all that liquid has to go somewhere. I kept telling Millie I needed to pee, and she kept telling me to hold it. Well, by mile 13 I couldn’t hold it anymore. We were still going strong and feeling good but I had to stop. We both stopped and used the port-a-potty. Ahhh. I felt so much better and Millie said, “No more stops!” At this point, we were at a area of the race where it was a out and back section. We could see the speedy racers running back on the other side of the road. It was really fun seeing and watching other people coming the other direction, one of whom was Rob! He was making great time. One of my friends from work was waiting at mile 16, and knowing she was there to cheer for me kept me going strong. I gave her a big hug and just kept running. I was surprised at how good I was still feeling at this point. I had eaten a couple GU’s by now to make sure I kept my energy up. Well, soon after this point Millie wasn’t looking so good. Her stomach was really cramping and she needed to use the bathroom. I told her, “Just hold it! No more stops!” Well, we both stopped and took another visit to the port-a-potties at mile 18. This was our last stop before the finish.
We were coming to the home stretch. I was starting to have some pain in my lower back from the constant pounding, but still feeling ok. 18 miles was the longest I had run in training, but I didn’t feel like I had to stop. When we hit mile 20, I think Millie and I really started to feel the pain. We tried to encourage each other by telling each other how much fun we were having and wish we could run for 10 more miles. We started to see a lot of walkers at this point and passed a lot of racers. Even though we were getting tired, and hurting, I was determined to keep going. I had run for 20 miles and had only 6 to go. I was not going to walk now. I got a little emotional at about 22, and almost starting crying. I looked over at Millie and was so grateful to have her next to me. I pulled it together and kept on going. I know Millie was hurting too, and she asked me if I wanted to slow down. I told her no, and I kept on pushing. Boy, those last few miles were really tough. Even though it was hard, I am proud to say that we never walked. Coming into the home stretch I asked Millie if we were going to sprint to the finish. She looked at me like I was crazy and said no…but right near the end she broke out in a sprint. I took off right behind her. It was so exhilarating to find that extra burst and push it hard to the end. I remember the overhead announcer saying, “We got a couple of sprinters here!” Millie crossed the finish line at 4:33.25 and I was right on her heels at 4:33.26. I was extremely proud of my time, especially considering I wanted to finish under 5 hours with my goal being 4:40. Rob ended up finishing at 4:25:52. He got about 20-30 minutes ahead of us but the last 6 miles his legs started cramping and he had to slow way down and walk. I’m impressed he finished as well as he did with all the cramping he was having in his calves, shins, and hamstrings.
Crossing that finish line brought such a surge of feelings…and boy did it hurt. I was surprised at how fast my body wanted to shut down as soon as I stopped running. I could hardly walk. The three of us limped around getting food to replenish, and find the family. Then getting to the car? Wow, longest walk of my life. I have never felt so sore, and stiff. Just thinking about it now makes me hurt. I heard it really helps with recovery if you can sit in an ice bath for 15-20 minutes after a marathon, so when we got home I figured I’d stand in the ice cold pool for 15 minutes. I took Abbie out with me and told her to time me. I got in that water and it took my breath away. I stood there and couldn’t believe how bad that water hurt… it was so cold! I couldn’t help myself and started bawling from the pain. I hopped out of that pool with tears running down my face. I think I lasted 1 minute. I decided I could deal with being sore. And boy was I sore. The next few days I could hardly walk. Going up and down stairs was killer. I told myself I would never run a marathon again. But, I think running a marathon is like having a baby. Once the pain fades, you forget all the bad and only remember the good. I’m now ready to do it again!
Finishing a marathon was such an amazing experience. I can honestly say I really enjoyed myself. I really tried to take in the atmosphere and journey of that race. It made me believe in myself, and know that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
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