Finisher

2:00 am is when I woke up and looked at the clock Sunday morning. My alarm was set for 4:45 am. I laid in bed with my heart racing, trying to take steady breathes to calm myself and relax until my alarm finally went off. My roommate, Emily, and I got dressed, put together our gear bags, took medications, supplements, and anything else needed for this big day. Sarah met us in our room and we put her donor's names on the body parts they bought and then headed down to the meeting point.

Everyone walked together to the starting area and found their starting corral. Sarah, my mentor Amy, and I started together. Mom and Dad met up with us and took pictures and wished us luck. They were there to send me off from the starting line. I was surprisingly calm. I was just cold and hoping we would start soon so I could warm up.

We finally started and Sarah, Amy and I took off together. The first half of the race was incredible. We saw all the major sights. Fisherman's Warf, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and many scenic views. This also meant that the first half was incredibly hilly. Mile 6 was a mile long hill. But the good thing for me is that uphills are my strong point. It is easier for me to push myself on an uphill then a straight away.

There were many cheer zones and powersong points along the first half. The powersong points were points that Nike played a given song over and over and that was the powersong. It really pumped us up. It is truly amazing how the cheer zones and powersong points are so influential on how you feel.

Right before mile 10 we had to go to the bathroom, so there was this little line of trees that we hopped behind for a second and then hit the road again. about mile 11 Mom and Dad were there to cheer me on. It was really great to see them. This is where the half and the full split from each other. So Sarah, Amy, and I went off toward Golden Gate Park. At mile 14 I was still feeling really good and I was excited that I was over halfway done. I felt so amazing for the first half of the race. I am really proud of my first half.

But then mile 16 hit and I hit my first wall. Fortunately it was a small one. I rubbed some bio-freeze on my knees and hips and kept going. I saw Mom and Dad again some where between 16 and 18 and it pumped me up for the hardest part of the run. At mile 18 I hit my second small wall. Sarah was feeling great and I was slowing down. I told her to go ahead because I wanted her to run her race her way and I didn't want to hold anyone back. Amy was having more trouble then me and she was falling behind. So Amy found another team member and stuck with her since they were more compatible and then I was on my own.

I was fine until mile 20. Here is the thing. The second half of the race is through the park and then around this lake that is about 5 miles around. So from miles 18 -23 it is this lake that you can barely see through the trees on one side of you and crap highway on the other side of you. There are no cheer zones and there are no powersong points. There are a few people scattered that are cheering for you, but that is it. It sucks. To top it all off, it had started drizzling around mile 13, but at this point it is really raining. And mile 20 was my great wall of China. I hit hard.

Something inside of me snapped. I was exhausted and I lost control. I had to use everything in my power to keep myself from crying. It was the hardest mental struggle I have ever been through. If you are crying, you can't breathe, and if you can't breathe, then you can't run. And I was determined to keep running. I was an emotional mess. I was upset and that became anger, and eventually it turned into pure determination. But I will get to that in a moment.

At mile 23, a coach from another Team in Training started running beside me. She asked me if I was doing alright. I told her I was, but she continued to run with me in silence. I guess I looked like I wasn't doing so well. Then I saw coach Jenn and waved at her and she took the place of the other coach. She asked how I was doing and when I told her how I was feeling she said it was totally normal and not to give up because I had less then 3 miles left and I am a marathon finisher. She told me I didn't look so good and made sure I really was okay and then went off to make sure everyone else was doing alright. I felt a little better after that but I still desperately wanted to be done.

Then slightly after mile 24 the 5:30 pacer girl started to pass me and something else inside of me just snapped and I said in my head, "Oh, fuck no. No no no. You will not fucking beat me." And I started running. Like full on running. I ran all the way to the finish line in the pouring rain and finished strong. Mom, Dad, and Aunt Lauren were there cheering me on as I passed the finish line and that meant so much to me.

I got my Tiffany's finisher's necklace, my finisher's t-shirt and went back to the hotel where I took a very hot shower and relaxed until dinner time. Even though I didn't have the emotional capacity or brain power to be proud of myself after the race, I am very proud now. I am a marathon finisher! And I plan to do it again next year. But I am going to stay home and do the one here. Maybe you can be there to cheer me on! Thank you to everyone who has been following and has supported me. It has meant a lot to me and I appreciate it.

Up next: 26.2!

Woke up early and checked into my flight. I was officially the first person to check in. That is the first time I have ever been able to do that.

Then I strapped on my running shoes and was out the door for my last run before the big one! It was beautiful outside, and my run was brisk and good. I think I am definitely ready for this marathon.

I am packed and ready to go. I leave tomorrow morning and am excited to spend the weekend in San Fran. I will post one last time when I get back after the marathon to let you all know how it went. Thank you for following along during this adventure in my life. Thanks for sharing and supporting.

Autumn Rains

I woke up this morning, snuggled up to future hubby, and declared that since it was raining I was going to sleep in. And I did exactly that. I got up a little later and it was still raining, so I read some of my book and then made lunch and watched some tv. At that point I got dressed to run because I thought it had stopped raining but I was wrong. My roommate informed me that it was only drizzling, and I decided to buck it up and go anyway.

I stepped out the door and it was only drizzling. Unfortunately, it started raining hard after I rounded the corner. I thought about turning back around, but I was like, just do it. Get it done. And I am so glad that I did. It was a fantastic run. The rain actually felt nice and the temperature was perfect. The path was covered in the most beautiful assortment of fall leaves and my pace was quick and enjoyable. It was a great run. I am hoping this is a good sign for this weekend.

I'm getting nervous and excited all at the same time. I am now doing laundry so that I will have clean clothes to pack for this weekend. One more short run before THE RUN!!

Jumping Jolly Fish!

I woke up at four this morning and my brain went, "Oh Sh*t! I have to run a marathon in a week!". Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep after that. I finally got out of bed and pulled myself together and left for my last team run before the marathon.

It was gorgeous out this morning. It was cool without being too cool and even though it started out a little dark, it meant we only ran into the sun for about 20 minutes. I started out at a decent pace. I made friends with a girl who is doing the KC half. She is running with a bunch of her friends. So we chatted to the first water stop which was her turn around point and then wished each other luck and took off in separate directions.

I don't know what happened, but when I say I took off, I mean I took off. I was running 10 minute miles which is almost 2 minutes faster than my normal time. I ran out to the second water stop, stopped to thank one of our coaches for doing so much for us throughout training, and then took off again. I got back to the first water stop in no time. I was feeling really good. So I said thank you to our volunteer because he has been there almost every morning with us to provide the water stop and he is a really great guy.

Again I took off. But this time I stopped when crossing one of the bridges because I heard splashing and when I looked over this HUGE fish was jumping vertically out of the water and then going straight back in. I'm not really sure what it was doing, but I couldn't stop watching. So that took about a minute or so. I ran the rest of the way back to my car and felt great the whole time! It was refreshing after the 8 being so dissapointing. I really hope this doesn't mean the marathon won't go well. But I'm not going to think that way. I'm sure it will go well.

I can't believe there is only one week left! I'm glad today went well, and I am looking forward to the big day!

Daydreams

This morning's run was quick, easy, and enjoyable. I was halfway through before I realized that I hadn't been paying any attention to my surroundings. While it was wonderful to just dive into my thoughts and forget everything else around me and enjoy the rhythm that my run had become, I realized that it was very unsafe of me.

Fortunately the run went smoothly, and as far as I know, nothing bad happened. This weekend is my last weekend run before the BIG RUN!! I am really looking forward to the marathon. Today I picked up my tickets and jersey and other stuff for the marathon. It is right around the corner!

Thank you all again for following along!

Cold air = hot showers

I made the mistake of not checking the weather before leaving the condo this morning. It was COLD outside. But I was already out so I decided just to suffer through.

My run started out fast because I was so cold. But I quickly realized that wasn't going to last long because it was hard to breath in the cold. Next time I will wear more clothing because my arms and fingers slowly got more and more stiff to the point where I almost couldn't move them by the time I got back.

On the upside, my path in my park is back open and the main road I run on is almost finish of construction. It looks like I am going to get my running route completely back soon! And when I got back I took a scalding hot shower and it felt incredible. I miss the way hot showers make me feel when it is summer and miserable out.

Sunday Sarah and I did not go boot-blocking. But Sarah, I assume because she felt bad that I was so close and we didn't get to go, donated the last $50.17 that I needed to reach my goal. It was completely unnecessary and incredibly sweet of her. So a big thank you to Sarah. I am officially at my goal. If you have not given and would still like to give, please give to Sarah. She is still working towards her goal. Thank you for reading and sharing with me.

Adopt a kitten

Thursday's run was a catastrophe of construction detours. I'm leaving it at that.

Today's run wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. It was cold this morning so I dressed a little warmer, but appropriately enough that all I ended up shedding was my gloves. So I am happy with my ability to gauge how many layers to wear.

On the way out to the turn around point I felt great. Sarah and I were running at a pretty decent pace and we were killing the hills in the route. At the turn around I suddenly got one of the worst cramps I have ever had in my life. I slowed to a walk and told Sarah to keep going. I knew that when you were in a rhythm and feeling it, it is a real let down to stop. And I knew that last week was really hard on her, so I wanted her to have a great week this week, and she did. So I picked it up to a slow jog and stopped at the restroom 1/4 of a mile from the turn around point. When I headed back out there was this kitten that popped out of the bushes and kept jumping in front of my feet every time I went around it. I finally said to it that it needed to stop because I didn't want to hurt it. For a small moment I thought about picking it up and taking with with me. But it was really clean and it looked healthy and there are houses right on the other side of the house, so I figure it must be an outdoor cat. Especially since it was so friendly and not skittish or stand offish. But it was really cute and that is the second time I have run into a cute cat this week. Then I managed to jog at a pace decent but not as fast as the way out with only a slight cramp.

I am slightly disappointed with my run today, but truth be told, it doesn't really matter. It is probably good if today and next weeks runs are bad so that the marathon is great. The point is that I ran all of it except about 10 steps and I got the mileage in. My marathon goal is to cross the finish line. I know I can do that, and that is what matters.

Tomorrow Sarah and I are going boot-blocking. I am only $50 away from my goal thanks to a generous donation from my aunt. Thanks for reading and supporting!