10/31/2010 First Full Marathon

Well, the day is finally here. After months (years) of training and having injuries and deferring from last year it all comes down to this. There is so much time spent running, walking, physical therapy, chiropractor adjustments and it is over at the end of the race. I put so much pressure on myself to finally finish it and maybe it goes how I imagine maybe not so much. My race shirt came out exactly how I imagined and so glad I took the chance and had it done. Last night we realized that I should probably drive myself to the Metro since the dog would have been alone for way too long. I put on my temporary tattoos and was ready to go. Driving there I realized that I had left my camera at home and was upset that I would not have it at the start line. I knew that I would be able to get pics though so let Tom know to bring it and hand it off to me when I see him. The Metro was empty when I got on it and I had plenty of time when we got to the Pentagon. It was a long walk to the start line! I was meeting Dave and other Marathon Maniacs at the corrals for a group pic. He was nice enough to invite me to jump in and represent the Half Fanatics. I felt pretty good had some small issues with my stomach but not too bad. I probably should have stretched more but we finally started and it was great having my name on my shirt-all I heard was people yelling my name! It was like I had friends & family throughout the entire course. We ran through Rock Creek and over the Key Bridge-when I came over the bridge heard my name and it was Tom. I was surprised since he was suppose to be at Mile 10 and this was Mile 5. He had gotten off the Metro and just followed people and there he was. We were running out and coming back around mile 8 I would see him again. He would end up walking all the way to the Lincoln where he would see me at about Mile 16. Georgetown had so many spectators and that was great. I was looking for my sister at Mile 10 but it was sort of in the back of the Lincoln and didn't see them. Coming up at Mile 11 saw them holding signs-my sister, sister in law and my brother. It was great seeing them although I wish I had snapped a picture with all of us. I knew that I was coming up to Hains Point which has always been hard for me to run throughout the other races I have run through there. At this point I started to get calf cramps which has been so long since I have issues with this. This whole race I was also taking my Endurolytes every hour so I don't know what was going on. Since I wasn't even halfway done yet I was hoping I was going to make it. I stopped at the medical tent to try and get some salt which they didn't have but got some chips. I knew that I would see family at Mile 16 and would full up with more Endurolytes. I got to Mile 16 with my Dad telling me to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I still had a lot of people behind me and knew I would make the cutoff if I kept up the pace. At about Mile 18 I saw the car that said Stay in Front of to Beat the Bridge! And it passed us-I was like where are you going. I know there was no way that we would not make it but it did speed a lot of people up. The back of my shirt said "Beat the Bridge" because that was my first goal and everyone kept asking "are we going to make it?" Made it to the bridge and took pics with the busses behind me. A lot of people slowed to a walk and it was very hard to keep running. I know I still had about 3 miles to see my family again. Saw my family in Crystal City and changed my shoes although I am not sure it helped at all. There wasn't many people running at this point-some people were dragging others along. I just tried to keep up my run/walk and knew I wasn't going to make it under 6:15 but that I could make it under 6:30 if I kept it up. I did stop and took a picture at Mile 26 because I am not sure when I will see that one again! I knew the final .2 is straight up hill and I was running but just couldn't make it all the way up that damn hill. I did run to the finish and high fived all the Marines along the way. It was great have the medal put around my neck-that was the only point I got a little choked up. I had finally completed this journey and am now a Marathoner. No matter how slow or how fast once you cross that finish line it will change your life-so true.

Marine Corps Expo

Went to the Expo tonight before the 1st timer event. It is a nice, big expo with plenty to look at. I really wish Ryan Hall was there tonight but he will be signing autographs tomorrow. Maybe I will get a chance in the future although I did see him in Philly warming up. Anyways, the expo went pretty smoothly I did order my frame to commerate my accomplishment-Lindsay helped me decide which was nice since I am so indecisive.. I got a visor to complete my race day outfit wish it was blue/red but anyways I don't need to match. Probably should have bought a shirt but I have so many and if I still want one maybe after the race they will have some merchandise left to choose from. From the expo we went to the first timer event which was the first time they did it so didn't really know what to expect. From the email it seemed liked we good get dinner off a special menu but that wasn't the case. We had finger foods and met some other first timers. We planned on getting dinner after but the Metro spoiled that. Of course the line I have to ride to get back to my car was stopped because someone jumped. Was this a preview of what was to come? I hope not I really don't want any metro headaches on race day. Luckily, Lindsay parked at the convention ctr and she drove me to my car after taking a taxi. Saturday I have nothing to do but hurry and wait!

Marathon Madness

Well, it is now less than 3 days until I line up to start on my marathon debut at the Marine Corps Marathon. I have been on vacation this week which I am not sure was the best idea since I can't stop thinking about it. I really didn't have much choice because I would have rather been off all next week. I got a massage tonight and go to the chiro tomorrow morning. Now with the shootings around the Marine Corps buildings there will be more security involved. I am hoping everything goes smoothly with the Metro since I don't think I can get there any earlier than 5:30am. I usually don't like standing around at the start but I want to make sure I have plenty of time to stand around and be nervous. I am hoping I just don't start hyperventilating or crying right at the start. I will be going to the expo tomorrow and the 1st timer event after that-hopefully it is nice since it is the first year.

Hershey Half Marathon

Enjoyed running through the Sweetest Place on Earth. The swag bag had chocolate bars in it and cookies from Hershey Lodge. Checked into the Hershey Lodge and got more chocolate bars when checking in. They let the runners use the park from 6-9pm which I can say I have never ridden rides before a race especially the Fahrenheit! We ended up not eating until almost 9:30pm which probably was not the best idea. When I got up the next morning my Garmin was not charged so I ran without a watch to do intervals. The walkers started an hour before but the race still had a 18 min pace which most can still walk that. At the start had pictures with the characters. Tom stayed at the hotel since it was at Mile 5. The first couple of miles were pretty lonely since there weren't many back of the packers. After mile 5 though passed some people and ended up passing walkers later in the run. I did go the wrong way when coming out of the park since I had no one in front of me. The gave out Hershey bars at Mile 12 and of course had to try that but not sure if that was the best thing. I finished in 3:11 which was better than Philly and I have 2 more races in a row so we will see how I feel.

RNR Philly 2010

After two exhausting weeks at work during this conversion it is time for the Philly Half. It was a long drive up with traffic but we go there and went to the Reading Terminal Market. Tom waited in line at DiNic's for a roast pork sandwich and I ended up getting a turkey sandwich at The Original Turkey. It was great. I also got some ice cream at Bassett's although I had wanted to go to Franklin Fountain Shop but figured we may end up ditching that one. We headed over to the Expo at the Convention Ctr. Similar to all the other RNR expos we had been too except they didn't have the Brooks Bus which I wanted to have my gait analyzed so I guess I should have done it at Va Beach. We went and checked into the Best Western which was the closest hotel to the start line. We walked around the Art musuem and saw some of the set up for the race. We found this little italian restaurant Illuminare and it was really good and no wait. Went to bed early even though it was a late start. We got up the next morning and went down to the start and saw Ryan Hall warming up pre-race. I went back to the hotel since it was so close instead of standing in line for the potta potties. Got back in time to see the start of the race which I have never done before. I was planning on running this race since I wanted to get back to the hotel to shower and be out by 1pm. It was nice course but a little warm out for the day. Running along the river seemed to take forever. It was a flat course and would definitely do it again. I actually spotted Dave Mari (Half Fanatic) at the start of the race and took a pic with him.

Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half

Walked my first half ever-it was disappointing but my goal was to finish and that is what I went out there and did. It took the stress off the pre-race jitters and I actually missed the start of the race but knew I was not starting until at least 7:30am so I took my time. It actually felt harder walking it and trying to keep my pace going. I had blisters last week so I came prepared and did have to take my shoes off and reapply ointment at about 6 miles in. I also stopped and gave someone bandaids because they had their shoes off and were rubbing their feet. The weather was perfect in spite of Hurricane Earl and enjoyed the beach on Saturday and Sunday after the race.

Blisters oh my!

Today I met the group and decided to walk the 10 miles instead of take a chance on having a long run with back pain. I have never experienced blisters before with running and I have walked but I guess the walking really rubbed my feet the wrong way. Two huge blisters on the bottoms of each foot on the ball of my feet. I couldn't believe it do I really have to deal with this a week before RNR Va Beach! I had to actually pop the blisters because I couldn't walk only on the outside my feet. After popping them it is still painful to walk I am just hoping that they heal for next week or I will definitely be in trouble! Walking next week I guess I need to make sure I have my bodyglide all over.