So...I would not really say that training for this marathon went how I expected it to...Back in January I was improving and my confidence was growing daily. I was loving running and enjoying the way it left me feeling: strong, confident, proud, alive and free!
The weekend of my first 19 miler, I could barely get home due to hip pain. It took me an entire week to recover and there were times I thought I’d never run again. But I wanted this marathon badly. I had been signed up for months and had been counting down since I hit "submit registration." I secretly would look up my name on the participation page multiple times per week and got anxious with excitement seeing the word "MARATHON" pop up next to my name. I loved my training plan because it focused on distance...my LOVE.
It was one thing after another for a while...IT band issues, more foot problems, huge knee "tracking" issues, losing confidence etc. It took me a LONG while to truly BELIEVE that I would be at the start of this marathon tomorrow. I honestly don’t think I believed it until I finished the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon in 2:04, just two Sundays ago. I realized that I CAN do this and I am the only one holding myself back.
Considering everything...I think I have done everything possible to get myself ready for this race. The weekly mileage while I had my injuries and then a really bad cold may have not been what I hoped, but I missed a long run only once when my knee stopped me half way out.
On marathon Sunday, I fueled: breakfast with oatmeal, banana, raisins, chia seeds, and walnuts. Lunch with sweet potato and chili. Dinner with pasta, veggies, and the yummy Bove’s vodka sauce that all runners received as a gift at the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon. And so much water that my new best friend is the toilet!
I got in some last minute electrolytes as I played on the computer to distract myself from myself.
I knew I would have the support of my friends, my 100 on 100 fellow team members, Carrie, Amy, and Tom; and my best of friends, Brenda and Beth, who have seen me though all these months of training.
So goals...yeah, I had them!
1. FINISH. Yeah...when I started training I was pushing for an ambitious 4:05. On marathon eve, I thought that was out of reach at this point and I was okay with that. All that mattered was that I cross that finish line with the love and support of those around me and by BELIEVING that I can. I wanted to know what 26.2 miles feels like for MY body. I had no idea what to expect but I knew that unless something crazy happened, I WOULD finish..I wanted to start out slow because I WOULD NOT let myself NOT finish.
2. If I were to throw out a time I thought 4:30 would be reasonable.
3. I would be lying if I did not say that deep down I wanted to beat that goal...but I was terrified I would actually be above it...and I knew I would be okay with that...but if I felt good I would love to be able to see what I am capable of!
4. Enjoy the atmosphere....a few of my friends would be running the half marathon version of this race...new and old! I was so excited for each of them and knew it would be nice to be able to look for them during the race and to think about them throughout the race.
5. Listen to my body and capitalize on moments of confidence and take moments of the not-so-great in stride.
6. I really was just ready to be a MARATHONER
So, the day arrived. I arrived at 7:30 and immediately got in the porta-potty line...45 minutes is a long ride when you've been drinking and drinking and drinking! It was really cold out, so I was so happy to find they were letting us all wait inside the school until it was time for all of us to be herded out to the start line, a few blocks down the road.
The race began promptly at 8:30. Downhill for the first few miles (ugh-oh, since it was an out and back race, that meant uphill for the final few miles!) allowed me to keep pace with my half-marathon friends without exerting too much energy. About mile 2.5, they pulled ahead and I settled in to a slower run. It was great to wave to each of them as they turned and headed my way once they had run 6.5 or so miles!
Once the last of them passed me by, I knew I was on my own for the duration. The lake views were beautiful and there was a lovely dirt road for about 1/2 of the race that came and went...it was really appreciated and gave my legs a welcome rest of sorts.
At the half way point, I was way faster than I had planned, clocking in at 1:58...wow! That fueled me up for the next few miles but I shouldn't have speeded up...paid for it later!
I crashed around mile 18...it felt like the arch in my right foot had totally flattened, my hips hurt, and for some unknown reason, I started to hyperventilate. That made me start to cry. Then, by my side, was a nice young man, (also running his first marathon) who walked and talked with me until I got my head back on right! That was so unexpected and so insanely kind! I can never thank him enough for that!
So, how does the saying go? I'll need to play with it a little bit to make it true for me...
At mile 18, I thought I was dead.
At mile 21, I wished I was dead.
At mile 24, going uphill, I knew I was dead.
At mile 26.2, I realized I had become too tough to kill!
It was a wonderful first experience overall...and I've just signed up for my second marathon in May, 2012! The addiction continues!
GMAA Marathon, Vermont
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