Immediately after registering I downloaded the Hal Higdon's marathon training app and started training. I was following it religiously up until Andrew got his kidney stones. After spending a couple evenings in the hospital, running around trying to get ahold of doctors, and with the holidays happening all at the same time I didn't have much time to go and run 12-15 miles.
When the New Year started I didn't do much better. We started looking at houses and putting a lot of our spare time into that process. By the time I finally had a weekend to go run the training plan had me running 20 miles!
Leading up to the race I ran smaller runs but never anything substantial. I began to really think there was no way I could physically finish the race and I continued to tell myself that even up until the night before the race. I thought if I felt horrible at 13.1 miles I'll just split off and do the half marathon.
However, after sharing my concerns with my husband- which was mostly "I'm not even going to finish the race so you don't have to bother coming to watch"- he adjusted my attitude and told me I've already set myself up for failure. If I'm convinced that I'm not going to finish why even bother. For those that know me, they know I am extremely competitive. I had told myself I was going to do this back in October so why had that change? If we're being honest- I was really scared. I had read articles about running marathons and the pain the runners endure, the chafing, the nausea, etc., etc. I was scared to death that I really over estimated my ability with this one.
After chatting with Andrew I decided I was going to really try to finish. That's all I needed to do- cross the finish line. I didn't even care if I was the last one to do it.
At mile 13 there wasn't a thought in my mind to just stop there. At mile 19- I was dying! Telling myself that I was down to single digits didn't help either. My back was killing me, my fingers were swollen, and I was losing steam. I felt that I was at rock bottom here but I knew I couldn't quit. By the time I had enough energy to even consider stopping I was at mile 20 and what idiot quits a marathon at mile 20? The course was hilly and it was windy as
At mile 25 there was a steep hill and I knew from there on it was nothing but downhill. I knew Andrew would be waiting for me at the finish line so I picked up the pace. And I accomplished my goal of finishing and I finished with an official race time of 5 hours and 35 minutes.
The race was by far the most painful experience I have ever had. The whole thing was a huge challenge mentally and physically. As soon as I crossed the finish line I told myself I would never do it again and who knows, maybe I'll change my mind but all that matters now is I've done a marathon. I successfully completed something I've wanted to do for a long time. As cheesy as it sounds it made me realize how amazing my mind and body truly are and all the things I am capable of and all I have to do is continue to put one foot in front of another.
