I am finally sitting down to write about it and somewhat beating myself up for not doing it sooner, when all of the emotions were still very much alive. But, I suppose I still remember that day very well and not just that day, but the weekend in general. My first praise goes to God for helping me finish the course and for providing opportunities like these. I thank God for giving me the ability to run and for all of the functioning body parts that require to finish a marathon. As the day was getting closer, I just kept getting more and more nervous as it’s in the top 15 world’s toughest marathons. The fear began to creep in of not finishing or getting injured. I asked Barry and family to keep praying for me and boy did they pray. I felt the prayers all the way through :- )
Our first stop was the Expo, which I have never experienced, so it was fun to check things out that had to do nothing with any other sport but running. I picked up my bib, the map from where the buses were leaving on the day of the race and my shirt, which has become my favorite running shirt. We then moved on to check in to a hotel, which was very pleasant and quick. We found out that we got the first floor, which was perfect as we parked the car right in the front of our room (with kids, little things like that, make the trip ;)) The next thing on the list was to find a good meal, to “carb load” as they say. We found the cutest little place, called Lugano Swiss Bistro. The food was great and so as the atmosphere. I was constantly cold that evening, I think it was the nerves, so of course we had to turn in early as the kids go to sleep at 8pm. Before we went to sleep, my sweet husband found a couple that I could walk with to the bus stop to go up to the start line at 3A.M. I actually slept that night pretty decent. Everything was ready to go the night before, I organized everything I was to wear and to bring with me, to only realize on the bus that I forgot my Garmin watch. I texted Barry to tell him my sad news, he, not losing a minute, ran out and handed it to someone that was headed in the same direction. As soon as he told me that, I began to get worried, what if I will not find the guy, what if he steals it and what ifs took off flying. Long story short, I never found the guy at the start line and have accepted the fact that I will be ok. It’s amazing how much I was relying on it while training, to know my pace. However I was very glad to find a friend of mine that signed up with me to run this race. The morning was chilly, 42F degrees and there was really no way of getting warm, so the start was very much anticipated. Well, the time was finally there and all the runners were line up. There is no way, I can describe the feeling while standing and waiting to start. All I can say is it will stay in my memory forever. The sound of the forest, 8,800 runners lined up to run and the sound of the anthem…that pretty much sums it up. It was breath taking. After all of the anticipation, the time came to run. The first 8 miles were a breeze, then a few hills made me realize that this is definitely a lot more serious than I have thought. At mile 10, there was the sound of the drums that I have heard about, but nothing compares to hearing about it, it was indescribable. Mile 13 is when it began to hit me hard, so decisions had to be made and goals had to be let go. I have decided to let go of my goal time and just enjoy God’s beauty, which meant a few hills walking. At mile 22, things got even more fun, it was time to run “the rolling hills” it seemed endless and mile 26 was the longest one I have ever had to run. The finish line never looked better and the medal was overly special :- ) The faces of my precious family was the best reward at the end of my 26.2 mile journey. I have absolutely loved the experience and in a heartbeat would say I would run it again. I must say, the event was organized to the T, the water/Gatorade was provided almost at every other mile, the course was breathtaking, entertainment was great and over all, everything was excellent. It’s amazing to see how many volunteers are involved to pull off such a wonderful event. If I could thank each of them individually I absolutely would. I finished it in 4 hours and 27 minutes. My goal was to break 4 hours, but I guess it will have to do for now :- ) God willing, there will be other times and perhaps I will run Boston one day 😉
The rest of the weekend was fantastic, we went to the beach, aquarium and simply enjoyed ourselves. It helped not to be in pain nor have any blisters, I praise God for that again and again! Thank you for all that prayed for me and supported me. Thank you to my sweet husband who was behind me all the way and helped me turn this dream into reality!
