2007 Rock n Roll Marathon - What Have You Done Today to be Proud?

There are tests in life, and there are tests, which push you to your limit. Yesterday I was pushed to a point I had never been.

Race day started very cold – 28 degrees! When I got to the start area, I took advantage of the free coffee and bagels. Of course I had more coffee than bagels. I did not really ue the coffee for drinking. I was trying to stay warm.

I knew I would need extra stretching with the cold. I plugged in the IPod, and found a spot to do some stretches. I was wearing my tights, with shorts underneath, two shirts, one longsleeve, and a sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was going to be tossed at the start of the race.

I got to my corral, and was busy moving around, and talking with fellow runners. Everyone seemed very eager to get going. May have had more to do with the cold. One gentleman chatted with me about this being his first marathon. I told him it was mine as well. He was 65, and his family was so excited for him.

The race started at 7:40, and it took about 10 minutes for my group to get to the start line. Once we got there, people were flying off. That was not my plan. I just got a nice jog going. I knew I did not want to start fast, or I might have nothing left at the end. Not many people were along the route for this part of the race. So a lot of runners were talking amongst themselves, especially the Team in Training People. These folks were everywhere!

I was doing a good job of running 4 minutes and walking 1-2 minutes. Only problem was my fingers were numb, and did not warm up until 2 miles into the race. I was wearing gloves, but still, they were not warm. I figure the blood had gone to other areas to keep me warm.

I think there are two races in a marathon. There is the first 13 miles, and then the test of the last 13. I was ready for the test. I had Gatorade and a Gel. My friend Marshall was going to meet me at mile 13 for restocking, and give me a bit of food. So I was eager to see him as I approached. I did well at this point. I did the 13 miles in 3:05, a few minutes of my 13 mile PR, but I was not going for speed. I got to mile 13 – no Marshall. My mind went into panic mode. I had the cell phone and tried to call, but my phone was so cold it was not working.

A couple came by and asked me if I was ok. I explained what happened, and they were very nice to give me some Gu. They told me I looked great and expected me to finish. I thanked them as they went on.

I finally got a hold of Marshall. He was at 13, we just did not see each other. So he raced to mile 15 to meet me. He gave me a Power Bar, and refilled the Gatorade. We agreed to meet again at mile 20, and off I went. I was a little sore, especially in my right heel, but thought I was good.

Mile 16 changed the race. I stopped at the restroom, and my heel was in more pain now, so I went to the medical tent. I had a blister, and it needed to be popped. The medic was very nice, and took good care of it. He drained the blister for what seemed forever. I told him to leave me some blood. He laughed. He patched it up, and off I went. I started walking to get used to the patched heel, then I ran again.

Mile 17 I could tell I was in trouble. My legs were hurting more now, and I had been running a little differently due to the blister. I was now walking more than running, but I was ok with that. This changed at mile 18. Mile 18 I was in quite a bit of pain, so I was power walking. People were passing me and telling me I looked good. While I appreciated it, I was feeling horrible. I still smiled and told them thanks.

At this point I called Marshall and told him I was hurting, and that I really needed to see him at Mile 20. He told me he was there and waiting. When I saw him there I was in tears from all the pain I was in. He gave me a hug and told me I was doing great. I told him I was worried about finishing. We agreed we would meet up at mile 23. Off I went.

At this point there was no running on my part. I was intent on power walking, but I could tell I was not as powerful a walker as I wanted. I was now averaging 17-20 minutes a mile. I was worried there would be no finish line for me. For most of this stretch I was alone. I had the IPod, which kept me going. Now and then a walker from Team in Training would pass me.

At mile 24 Q called to check on me. I was in tears telling him about my pain, and I saw a hill ahead of me. He told me I had come so far, and he knew I could to do….just push a little more. I did. At this point I was not walking pretty. People would ask if I was ok. I lied, and told them I was great. I was doing all I could not to fall down. Also I was developing a cramp in my left thigh. I drank the hell out of my Gatorade, and went on.

Mile 25 to the end was the longest distance of my life. My fear of them closing the finish line was spurring me on. I was also told that I may have to move to the sidewalk soon. I didn’t want to do that, so I went ahead. Right after mile 26 a Team in Training coach told me I did not look too good, and did I need anything. I said, “Yes the finish line.” He smiled and told me I would make it.

As I got closer to the end, I was getting emotional. People were cheering me on, and I had tears in my eyes. The pain was unbearable. Still once I saw the finish line, I was determined to run again. I ran the last 100 ft. to the end. I had started the race running, and I was going to finish running. They announced my name as I crossed the line. Marshall came up to me, and I just cried in his arms. We stood like that for quite a while.

He helped me over to a woman who put my medal around my neck, and then I got a mylar blanket. I walked around for a bit, and then we headed home.

There was a song I played over and over in my IPod during the race – Pride. One of the lyrics is, “What have you done today to be proud.” I can say I finished my first marathon, no matter the pain, or bad I wanted to stop. While my time – 7:26:21 sets no records, I look at this medal, and I think of what I accomplished, and I am so proud of myself.