This past weekend I ran my very first marathon. It was an amazing event. I just hope that my recap can do it justice.
The adventure started Friday night around 5 pm. I headed to Tom’s house to pick him up and then headed to the Y to meet everyone else. When we arrived Dave’s car was already in the parking lot, but he was no where to be seen. A few minutes later Shawna was there quickly followed by Jeff, Jen’s husband, and then Jen. After Jen did the kid handoff to Jeff and we managed to get everyone’s things packed into my car we were on our way.
The drive only took about an hour and a half. We were heading to Carrabba’s for dinner and would be meeting Carole, who was awesome enough to head to the race expo and pick up all of our packets. Before we knew it we were there. Since Shawna had thought ahead and made reservations for us we only had to wait for a few minutes before we had a table. Dinner was awesome and the company was just as good.
After dinner as we were heading out into the parking lot we were greeted with snow, yeah you heard me correctly. I knew there was a chance of snow, but it was still a bit of a shock. We then said goodbye to Carole and headed to Shawna’s sister’s house.
When we arrived at Shawna’s sisters house I was very impressed. Shawna and Jen had talked about how big her house was, but until you actually see it you have no idea. It is one of those houses that just seems to go on forever. I think that I could have hidden in there and they still wouldn’t know I was there. We then all settled into the living room in front of the television and watched Talladega Nights before heading to bed. I will say that it took me quite awhile to fall asleep. Not sure if it was the third shift schedule or just some pre-race nerves, but it took awhile.
Morning seemed to come pretty quick. I had set the alarm on my phone for 6 in order to get us up and give everyone time to do what they needed to do in time to leave by 6:45. We wanted to be to the race area by 7:30 to meet Carole and do our bag drop off.
As we arrived near the race area the traffic was insane. There were cars and people everywhere and I felt like I was surrounded by idiots! No one seemed to know how to drive and the traffic lights didn’t seem to help things. We did finally manage to make it to a parking garage and to the bag drop to meet Carole.
We then headed for our corrals. Tom was planning on running a 3:20 – 3:30 so he was in a corral in front of us. The rest of us jumped into the 9 minute mile corral. Before I knew it we were off.
I had given Shawna my Garmin before we headed to the start so that she could pace me and also so I wouldn’t keep looking at it. Basically all I had to do was stick with her and she would do what needed to be done to get me in under 4 hours, which was my only goal other than finishing upright.
We quickly seemed to loose Jen, Dave, and Carole. The first 3 miles just seemed to fly by. A couple of times Shawna looked at the Garmin and said that we were running in the low 8’s. But since we run so much together she knew where I would need the extra time and was banking time for later.
Miles 3-17 seemed fine. It is really awesome to run with someone that you are great friends with and to be able to talk with and take your mind off of what you are really doing. It wasn’t until about mile 19 that I felt like I really needed to walk. So we walked for a few seconds and then were on our way.
I made it 2 more miles before walking again. Then it seemed to be every mile after that. It probably became more mental than anything, but I seemed to suddenly be looking for the mile markers and they seemed to be getting farther and farther away. When we hit 25 I stopped to walk again. It was at that point that she told me that when we started again we weren’t walking again until we were done.
At about a half mile from the finish I was really wanting to walk. I told her and she said that I didn’t. She told me that I could walk all I wanted once we were done. She said I could walk home if I wanted, but I wasn’t walking now. She was so awesome in the last mile. She kept telling me different things to try and take my mind off of wanting to walk. It must have worked, because I didn’t walk. As we turned the last corner and I saw the finish, I suddenly found myself picking up speed. From behind me I heard Shawna say that she knew my legs had some left in them. She then let me cross the finish line just ahead of her. I told her that she should have crossed with me, but she told me it was my race, not hers.
I ended up with an official time of 3:56:01. A time I would not have if I hadn’t had such a great friend to run with and motivate me when I needed it. All I can say is thanks.
After we finished we saw Tom standing in the finishers area. We got our medals and our free hats, which was a bonus, and then headed to the bag check for warmer clothes. After I got my bag I sat down on the ground and I felt terrible. I just felt completely sick so I just sat on the ground with my hood up trying to stay warm while Shawna changed. I must have looked bad because she kept asking if I was ok. I finally got up and decided I needed more to drink. So we headed back to the finishers area so I could get a Gatorade. After drinking that I did feel a little better. But then I was freezing. We found a spot out of the wind so that we could watch for Jen and Dave. I know it wasn’t that long before they came across, but it seemed like forever because I was freezing and my legs were done.
Soon enough we saw them cross, which was awesome to see. We then got everyone together in one of the recovery tents. Then it was on to gear check to pick Jen and Dave’s stuff. Then it was on to the car to head back to Shawna’s sister’s house for a much needed shower.
I thought I was fairly prepared for my first marathon, but I know now that I definitely need to do more long runs. I don’t like the feeling that came during the 20’s. I am looking forward to the Disney Marathon in January. I will just have to make sure to get in some long runs.
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