Detroit....still a hurdle to jump

Well, what to say? The short of it is I trained my butt off and started the race uninjured, but managed to get hurt and not finish the darn thing. Ugh!

Needless to say I was pretty devastated. This has been a goal of mine for years now....and to get this far and not achieve it was basically unthinkable for me. But, out of everything comes a lesson to be learned or maybe there was something else that was supposed to happen that day instead of finishing this race.

So, here's summary. Felt great miles 1-8....after 8 felt a twinge in my right leg....after mile 9 felt pain in said leg...so I stopped to stretch it out...felt a little better and continued....I continued this stretching routine about every 1/2 mile thereafter....however the pain got so intense that by about mile 11 I really wasn't sure I would even make it to the 1/2. But, I pushed on and made it to the half and decided to continue on to the full..I made it that far right? By that time my per mile time was already up to 12 minutes....ugh! I readjusted my goal mentally and said I would be happy to finish at that point....so I took it at a snails pace just to try to squeeze out more distance...but it didn't seem to matter....I then walked(well, limped) through every water stop, but my mile 16 I was up to a 16 minute mile with the stretching, stopping, walking etc...and at that point I basically couldn't put weight on that leg.

SO, I found an emergency communications volunteer and he was able to get me in contact with Chris who had just finished his own race. I am so proud of him! Volunteer by the way are awesome people! I found out this one's name was Jim. He was so kind and just wanted to help. He offered me his chair he was perched on, on this corner and asked if I needed medical. As it wasn't an emergency I declined. So, I sat with him and waited for Chris to come pick me up. We chatted for quite some time and he told me all about him and his family and how he was retired and now volunteers for many different things. He also is a Vietnam vet, a grandpa, and a genuinely nice person. I found talking with him much preferable to the pity party I was having, so it was good.

I also decided that it was pretty dead where I was at...so I began to cheer (along with Jim), for the people still coming down the road. Many first timers(like me), many veteran runners, walkers etc. It at least help me divert my energy in a positive way.

I also met a girl along the way who was sooo nice. She actually stopped to chat with me as I was limping along somewhere around mile 14 or 15....I told her not to worry, keep going...you have a time to worry about and she just said, that's o.k. I've been talking with all sorts of people along the way, this is for fun. She was likely my age(never did get her name) and had two kids. This was her second marathon this year. She was really encouraging and such a positive spirit. It really helped my mental state.

As well, I have always know I have a really supportive husband...but I realize now he really is the best! He being injured himself went all the way back to the hotel, got the car, came and picked me up and catered to me the rest of the day! He knows how awful I felt and was just plain there for me. I couldn't ask for more.

I also had the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend who is such a huge inspiration to me! She is helping me through this ordeal and I am so glad to talk with her again. As well, we had dinner and fun times with great friends the night before. Plus, I still got to participate in an event that started with me uninjured.....so it could be worse. I know people who couldn't even attempt it because they got hurt just weeks before it.

Where is this story going? Well, I guess the point is, maybe this race wasn't about me finishing. Maybe it was learning about other people, maybe taking me down a peg, maybe to learn that there are some truly good people out there in this world. You just have to stop an "smell the roses" once in a while.

So, today I am on the hunt for a good sports doc who can get me up and running quite literally in a short amount of time. Then off to another one hopefully! This isn't the last of my marathoning days! :o)

Cheers!

30 is old, but 30 is yung!

First of all, yes I am aware the title of my blog is misspelled. It's on purpose. It was inspired by a card that a dear friend's daughter made for me for my 30th birthday. The front of it reads as the title does. It cracked me up! It also made me stop and realize a few things.

This past Friday I did indeed hit that 30 year milestone. While at first I was tempted to say....'I'm Old', 'Poor Me'.....blah blah blah, I realized I feel younger in so many ways than I ever have in my life! And I have been reminded of the wonderful family and friends that have supported me all along the way.

I have had more surprises in the last few months than you can shake a stick at! My hubby planned a great 30th bday party in July(yes 3 mos early as according to him he couldn't surprise me otherwise....it would be too obvious closer to the date) with my dearest friends from near and far and was fantastic! Then my little sis planned a dinner out with family while I was in town a couple weekends ago. Also awesome! My brother in the army who is deployed sent me a great bday email....amazing since he's so busy and on a different schedule than us. Then my mommy sent me flowers at work on my birthday! Then, my dear friend Ruth planned a surprise party at her house this past Saturday! So fun with all the kids. Sunday was lunch and cake at Chris' mom's house...and, and....that's it! Whew! I call it my birthday quarter! But seriously, it has reminded my how blessed I am to have such thoughtful, caring people in my life.

These are the same people who have supported me throughout my journey to my ultimate fitness goal...my first marathon! Whether its my hubby watching E so I can run for 3 1/2 hrs. on a Saturday morning, or words of encouragement from a family member, or meeting for a run after work with a friend....they have helped me get to where I am...less than 2 weeks from my marathon. I mean, at 21, I couldn't even fathom running a 5k, let alone train for a marathon, yet here I am....so close to that very event! So, turns out you really are only as old as you feel!

This past Saturday rounded out the last of my push upward for training.....my longest run so far. 20 miles! And wouldn't you know it? It was cold, and windy and...wait for it....rainy! At first I was hesitant to do it.....thinking nothing but negative thoughts about how to run that far in much less than desirable conditions...but then I had a thought. All season I have had perfect weather for my long runs...and all season I thought.....what if it rains during the race...how will I handle it? Well, I now got a chance to figure it out! So, that's how I looked at this run. An opportunity to run far in icky conditions...and then come race day I'll be mentally prepared for anything! Just hope it doesn't snow. :o)

So, I set out and despite mid 40's, windy,misty, then very rainy conditions, I made it! And I didn't just make it...I made it in less than my pace time for the race! Turns out I take to rain o.k!
Yes those last miles hurt, and yes it was hard, but now I feel ready!

Now, I just have to think positive things as I start my first ever taper. I'm already feeling a little down as a certain birthday with all its delights(read:cake...lots of cake), has me up a little on weight, but I hope that goes back to normal in the next couple days as I remember how to eat well again. Other than that, I was starting to dread and think...how will I run 6 miles PAST that longest ever run.....but turns out I'm not the only one with those thoughts....I think its pretty normal for a newbie marathoner wannabe. So, trying to take confidence from those who have been there done that....if only an article here and there in running magazines and such.

So, from here on out, only positive thoughts, rest, and some nice easy runs.

O.K. starting to actually get excited about it now! I can't wait!

See you at the finish line!