Marathon Finisher!!!

Dec 08, 2010

I can check off running a marathon on my bucket list! What an experience.
My training schedule started started back in August and went very well until mid-October. I began to have bad shin splints right when I crossed over the half way point (13.1 miles) in my training schedule. I did everything I could to speed the healing. I even took an ice bath! Yikes!!!.  I do have to admit, the tapering faze is brudal!!! I kept thinking I would lose everything I trained for and I couldn't test out my shin. After all...running/training had become what I knew. It ruled a lot of my descion making and my life to a certain degree. I didn't feel normal just resting.

On Friday, I made a list that seemed to go on for a mile of all the things I needed. It's crazy the amount of things you need to run 26.2 miles. We packed up and headed to Dallas around noon on Saturday. I was a nervous wreck. I must have checked my list a hundred times.
 
I woke up around 4:30 on Sunday and got ready. We headed downstairs and called our car up. Wow! The valet workers must of ran a good 26.2 miles themselves that morning. We stayed at the race hotel and everyone seemed to be heading out at the same time. Our car arrived and we hopped in and headed to Fair Park. The traffic was jammed packed at 6:15. My husband knew of a back way and we were there within 15 minutes. Yippee!


We waited for the corral waves to start forming and I headed for L which was right near the opening to the building. It was so cold!!! It took 45 minutes for our wave to get to the starting line. I was frozen! However, it worked to my advantage because my bad shin was numb and I felt no pain other than being cold. They counted down our wave start and we were off.
 
I was feeling great! My two sisters volunteered at mile 4 aid station. I was thrilled to see them. They both jogged along the sidewalk waving and wishing me luck. I was so thankful to see them. They also were able to call my husband to let him know I was in good shape (no limping or one legged shuffle due to the bad shin). The crowds, volunteers, bands, signs, etc. were so great! The first 7 or 8 miles passed quickly. At mile 8, I was anxious to hit the lake. I ran the half marathon last year and you don't get to run around the lake. I was really looking forward to running around the lake. The lake was beautiful, but so windy. The run around the lake was almost 10 miles by itself. My nutrition plan was working well until around mile 18. I've always used a sport bottle for fluids and not cups. I took my GU with my sports bottle, but grabbed water and Gatorade from the aid stations which were of course in cups. I tried to run and drink from a cup at the same time and it was not easy. I had Gatorade all down my shirt and the rest went up my nose. Note to self....next time stop to drink. I guess I had sucked up too much air and it caused me to have reflux. As I approached mile 20, I celebrated with a big smile. It was the furthest I had trained (they say you're not to exceed 20 miles at one time in training). We hit a few hills and one major incline and it left me a little drained. I began to slow down to a snail pace (it seemed) around mile 22. However, I couldn't shake the anxiety of losing that 45 minutes from the delayed starting time. Yes, my chip time would not reflect the late start. However, the course is shut down regardless of the delayed time so I felt pressure to get it together. Mile 24 approached and I picked up my pace again. I used to tell myself in training once I reached the last mile or so...I can do ANYTHING for 10 minutes so I pushed myself harder the last couple of miles. Once, I reached the fence line and saw the crowd...I was beyond thrilled! I saw my family and heard their cheers and I was done! I officially became a MARATHON FINISHER under 5 hours (4:57)!!

 I begin to walk from the finish line to the runner's lounge for my medal, finisher shirt, and water. The walk was really short, but I was alone much like my training journey. I began to think of all that went into training, the journey to better health, and the hard work that I was leaving out there on the 26.2 mile course. Tears began to fill my eyes and I felt my lip began to curl up.  A female volunteer placed my medal around my neck and it was like she knew exactly how I felt. She was so sweet and congratulated me. What a great experience and memory!!!! I try and thank God everyday for blessing my life. I called on him many times during the race. I reminded myself that he was with me. I truly felt he has and is working in my life. I'm blessed beyond what I could even imagine for myself. Praise God!

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