After months of training, the day finally came. The day before the MCM was cold, raining with mix of snow. I was concerned because I had trained for rain, heat and cooler temperatures. I had only gear for that....not snow. Although, I am no stranger to running in the snow but not for 26.2 miles. I did not sleep well the night before. I woke up every hour and looked at the clock. It is true what they say about making sure that you get enough rest leading up to the race. It did not affect my run. Luckily, I had set two alarms because the main alarm did not go off. I had set it but forgot to turn it on!
There are two things at this point I would do differently. #1 I would have not taken the Immodium. I was so worried about GI issues. I know myself and usually about mile 8, I have to find a bathroom. However, the Immodium caused another GI issue during the race. #2 I would have brought a longer garbage bag. I never understood why people wore garbage bags. BUT I love them now. They work as great windbreakers and keep you warmer.
Mom, Beth and I left for the metro. WOW! It was so cool to see runners and their support fill the train. We were the last station possible so with each stop more and more runners would pile in. I met one of the MCMFT members at our station and we rode up together.MCMFT is a facebook page that has first time marathoners on it. I had been chatting with them for months. They really were a great source of information and encouragement. I dont know if I would have gotten this far with out their help. I consider them my "running buddies"
We arrived at our 5:00 hour corral. I have NEVER seen this many people getting ready to run in my life. The engery from the runners and spectators was unbelieveable. It took me 15 minutes to run over the start line. #3 to do differently, I would have gone to the bathroom one more time. I started with Tanya and Sandy Hand. I was running with Tanya until mile 3 when we decided to remove our sweatshirts. Tanya told me to go ahead and she would catch up. That was the last time I saw her. It was fine that I was running by myself. I trained that way. Granted I was not truely by myself because there was always a large group of runners around me. Plus, I would run into our little MCMFT group members, we all wore red felt squares on our backs. I started to get a stomach ache around mile 8 because I had to go to the bathroom since the race started. I found a real bathroom with a not so long line around mile 11. Prior to this, I was doing great with my pace. Actually, I was a head of pace and feeling strong. I was standing in line for the womens bathroom...lets just say, that I ended up in the mens side. Long story. Yes, I asked the guys if I could come in and they all said it was okay. I was not the only female in there. There was a group of us that were in there.
I did so good until mile 16.5. I had gotten a rock in my shoe. I was so worried about that dang bridge that I did not stop to get it out. #4 Get rock out of your shoe! I started to have a stabbing pain in the ball of my foot everytime I pushed off of it to run. It got so bad that I started to walk. I could speed walk with just a little bit of pain. So I continued to speed walk. I kept my pace between 12:30 and 12:45. I maintained that pace until mile 20. My muscles really started to cramp at this point. I slowed down to 13:30 pace and walked the rest of the way. I tried to run and did a few times but only lasted a couple of minutes. I understand now when someone wrote that the real race begins at mile 20. What a mental battle. When I got to mile 24, I was crying. I was so tired physically and mentally. All I wanted was to hear my husbands voice. I would have given anything for a cell phone at this point. I did the only thing I could do. I closed my eyes and listened to his voice in my head. He told me to continue. Not to give up and that I could do this. At mile 25, I looked over to my left and saw Arlington where our nations heros lay in rest. This pushed me along. At mile 26, I could see my friend Beth in a distance. She was jumping up and down with her sign. Screaming for me to run. I started to run, she was yelling at my mom who was there with her camera. It took all the engery I had to wave at them and continue. I tried to run up the hill. Made it half way...once up the hill, I began to run. I made it across the finish line up right and smiling. I did it! 5:54. I am so glad that I chose this marathon as m first one. I learned more about myself the past 18 weeks. The big question...is this my first and only. NO! However, it will have to wait until after Taylor graduates. I dont want to be training during her senior year. So, watch out Chicago Marathon fall of 2013. I will be there. I am already signed up for the Flying Pig Half marathon in May and will also do the Air Force half in September.
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