Well folks, this could be a long post. I have been deciding what I should put in this one...as this past weekend was phenomenal on so many levels. And so, I will put it down as it comes, hopefully it makes sense.
As I've written before, I have had this idea to run a marathon almost as long as I've been running...about 6 years. You can read some of my other posts about that as well as my 1st attempt that ended in failure this past October. However, I happen to have the most supportive and unbelievable family and friends anyone could ask for. That is what got me to and through my first whole marathon.
So, rewind to October. I dropped out of the Detroit marathon due to injury. After some major encouragement, I saw 2 drs. that week and began seeing a physical therapist the next week. Inside of 3 months, I managed to get better and be ready for this past Sunday's race in FL. Amazing!
I had friends to encourage me, an awesome husband who took care of things at home so I could run and run an run some more. :o)My mom, mom in law, and dear friend Ruth coming to watch E for the weekend so Chris and I could go to FL for the weekend to do this race. I had family telling me they knew I could do it...and all that culminated in my finish!
No, I am not the faster runner, but I think I am about the luckiest.
I finished with a time of 4:41:54.5245 out of 13,522 overall finishers. 1725 out of 6267 women, and 340 out of 1086 in my age group. So....top third for my age group...I'll take it for my first one! I also accomplished a couple of goals....
Goal 1) - To Finish
Goal 2) - To Finish Uninjured
Goal 3) - To Finish with a smile on my face (I think this is true but we'll have to wait for ASI pics to know for sure).
Goal 5) - To Finish in 4:35
I met all of these goals but the last one..which was sorta secret since everyone told me I shouldn't have a time goal for the first one. That one was a bit of a stretch I knew, but it was my last goal in terms of importance because its my first race. My next one will likely make that more important.
All that being said, I had a great weekend! Chris and I arrived in FL on Friday evening. I had gone to PT twice that week because my back/hip was bothering me,so I was nervous that would crop up in the race. But, we arrived in Orlando, got our car, a grabber blue mustang convertible! Then we were on our way to our hotel. Chris made the travel plans and he did amazing! He got us a great hotel with the most comfortable bed I think I've ever slept on! We melted into bed that first night and I woke up Saturday with no aches or pains! Go figure! I think ha;f my problem with my back/hip may have been due to out old, icky bed! Good thing our new one arrived Friday just before we left for the airport! And yes, it is much better! lol!
So Saturday consisted of waking up, getting breakfast, going to the expo for packet and t-shirt/goody bag pick up, a little shopping,lunch, and a 3 hr nap! Yes, you heard me right! That has not happened, I am fairly certain since Ethan has been born!Again...I mention the ultra-comfy bed! Then we woke up, did a little cruising and then met Jeanne and Jim for dinner.
Oh yes, did I mention them? Jeanne is my inspiration for running! She is amazing, and a great person! Anyway, she had mentioned she was going down for this race since her husband Jim was going to be there for a conference. So, instead of running in AZ like I was thinking, I thought I would switch to that race, which was just 1 week earlier. I am so glad I did! It was so nice to have someone to walk/talk with who does this whole running thing and does it well. I hope to learn a thing or two from her as well as develop our friendship. She and her husband are truly one of a kind!
O.K. So, we had dinner, then made our way back to our hotel room for 4 hrs. of sleep before the race. Yes, the race started at 5:40 a.m. and we had to be there by 4 a.m. according to the marathon peeps to make to to start line in time.Based on when the hotel shuttle was leaving (3 a.m.), 2 a.m. was the time to get up...and it was early!
But, again my husband is the bestest! He got up at 2:30 a.m. ready to roll out the door with me. So, we got to the shuttle and made it to the race by 3:40 or so. So, then we just had to stand around for a while.....in 45 degrees! Brrr! Again, my husband is great! He was there shivering his butt off with no hope of running to get warm like I would. Who would've thought it would be that cold? Anyway, he stood with me and we walked around. Then we met up with Jeanne and Jim and were about to go to the start line....but it was about a 1/2 mile walk and spectators were not allowed to go the way we did, so I had to dis-robe(take off my warm ups), over an hr. before the start, since Chris had to carry them for me! brrrrr!
Anyway, Jeanne and I got to the start and waited a few more minutes, and then we were off! With a fireworks display and all....for every wave! I was in wave 3 of 7, but I felt like the only one! It was well done!
So, the first few miles were cold and sort of boring, but before long we were entering epcot in the dark! They had a couple of those light up animals they have in the night time parade buzzing around and the ball was lit up, and there was music and it was sooo cool! Epcot in the dark is awesome! Then we traveled some access roads, and highways and then we finally came to the Magic Kingdom around mile 8 or 9. This was my first and only glimpse of Chris and Jim. Turns out this race isn't real spectator friendly...definitely an x in my book. Anyway, before long we were running down main street, and then through tomorrowland. Then we got to run through the castle! So cool! Then we ran through frontierland(I think) and then we were back to access and highway roads. We passed the 1/2 way point in the magic kingdom, so after that the crowd started to slow a bit. The next park we came to was animal kingdom, but not before running by the park sewage treatment plant! ick! Oh well. Animal kingdom was neat, but far too short. I also developed a mean side stitch(this never happened in training!)...at about mile 17..it lasted until about mile 19...ugh! I also stopped for um...the call of nature...at least I got to use a real restroom in the park! lol!
Then we did some more highway that consisted of some long low-grade hills....that brought us to about mile 20. About here I started to lose steam and started counting down the miles....7.2. to go! They were long, they were painful. So, after a couple more miles we entered Hollywood Studios(used to be MGM). This was my least favorite park. I dunno why....the music annoyed me...it wasn't much fun...maybe it was just because it was nearly the end. The one consolation was they did hand out fun size chocolate bars there! Oh yes, I had one! At that point I didn't care it I had it in my training regime or not..I needed the mental boost...and hey, who doesn't like chocolate?
So, after that we were into the last few miles....we ran along the boardwalk and I stopped again for nature, this time in a blue plastic box...yuck! Then I was off to do the last couple miles.We ran into the yacht/boat club area and then back into Epcot for the finish. I was in so much pain at that point I could hardly appreciate what a beautiful day it had gotten to be or that we were running near a beautiful beach, boats etc. Once we reached Epcot again though I found a girl named Jamie who stuck with me until the end. We had about 1.5 miles to go and spectators were shouting...you're almost there...which we were not! Ugh! Anyway, we gave each other some encouragement and then we finally saw it..the finish! With a grandstand for spectators and everything! I almost cried! Such an awesome sight! So, I sped up a little and crossed the finish with a cheering Mickey and Minnie Mouse!
Chris was there soon after to hug me and be there for me...he is the best! I broke down when I saw him....it was the greatest feeling ever! Only second to having Ethan and marrying Chris I think. This was awesome! Jeanne and Jim quickly followed with and congratulated me as well. Jeanne finished 1st in her age group herself and as the 15th woman overall...she did great!
So, then we headed back to the hotel and checked into our flight. Chris had gotten me two t-shirts when I was running, and upgraded out flight to business class on the way back so I had room to stretch my aching legs! He treated me like a princess the entire trip. I only hope I can return the favor one day. Then we went out to lunch after checking out of the hotel and met Jeanne and Jim to celebrate with pizza an bloody mary's. mmmmm!
Chris and I said goodbye and then headed to the airport. Yes, I wore my medal in the airport...I figured why not? I earned this sucker!
Then we came home in style! Big seats, snacks, drinks....it was great! We arrived and finally got to dive home and see our little guy. We had missed him so much on our trip. This was the longest we'd ever gone away without him. We were happy to be home....oh and my mom, mom in law and Chris and I's families had flowers, balloons and notes of congratulations waiting for me when I arrived home! How sweet! Like I said, I have the best husband and son, best family and best friends anyone could ask for. This weekend was potentially one of the best in my life!
Cheers!
