Marathon Completed

I am going to tell the whole story so get your reading glasses on and enjoy the story of my journey to completing a marathon. 

Back story, I was a cross country and track runner in high school only to not be able to complete my senior year. In 10th grade I began to have a lot of knee problems to find that I did not have enough ligaments in my knees from a growth spurt where my bones grew faster. I continued anyways (stubborn, huh?) to only injure myself even more. I honestly thought I would not be able to run competitively again. 

Through college and in my 20s I continued to run here and there but with knee pain never making it longer than 3 miles. I once again tried after Owen was born but same result. Then after Aiden was born (about a year after), I tried again and found that there was no pain. I kept running and being cautious I did not go more than 3 miles. Then in the Spring of 2011 I ran a 5k for a friend's charity. I felt great and  quickly got the bug to race more. I kept signing up for local 5ks and loving it. Then I decided to sign up for a 10 miler in Fall of 2011. I felt great during that race too, finishing in 1:44. At about mile 8 I decided I wanted to keep pushing myself and maybe one day I would complete a marathon. I came to find out from my doctor that some people's joints and ligaments can grow and repair during pregnancy. Thanks Aiden! 

I continued to race around 10 miles and then in Spring 2012 I ran my first half marathon. Once again felt amazing. I ran an average pace and finished in 2:11. At this point, yes I had signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon. I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 in 1:30, 14 minutes faster than my 10 in the Fall. Pumped! I then ran another half marathon in June and loved that one (all in the country) and shaved off a lot of time with a 2:05. 

So then all the training began; and wow it was a lot of training. It got easier once the kids went to school because allowed me to run while they were in school and of course weekends. I felt good training and was averaging a 9:45 - 10 mile on my long runs. So finally the morning arrives. I kept everything the same; same food, same gear, same liquid intake. A little nervous but mostly pumped and ready to go. Started in my pace group in hopes to finish at a 4:15 but anything under a 4:30 I would be pleased. Totally feasible with my history of long runs and previous races. 

Well I ran the whole thing, felt pretty good most of the time, good attitude, strong finish and I guess most important ran across that finish line. Only to find my time was a 4:41. What?!?! I had trained how my coach suggested, I had completed all my long runs within my time, I had done everything the same...so the question is what happened that I ended up with a 10:45 pace. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very proud of myself for running the entire marathon and finishing strong, but as a competitor I am disappointed in my time and am a little confused as to where I faltered. I am finding that I prefer the less crowded, less city-based races and curious if that was the "problem", I was fighting for my position for a straight 9 miles and even after that it was crowded the entire time. Even when I was finishing I had to squeeze through the crowds to plow up that hill. The course was okay, some parts were very nice and the ones I recall in a positive light are the ones with no big crowds and scenic views of the trees. Maybe I am just a rural runner, a loner perhaps. So now my decision is whether I continue and run another marathon in the next year with hopes of finding a smaller more rural one so that I might be able to accomplish my goal time or do I just take a break and goes as originally planned and perfect my half marathon and smaller races. I have not found the answer yet, but hope to decide soon. 

Omer and my brother made it up to see me several times and cheer me on. It was really nice to see their excited and supportive faces. And their hugs of pride at the finish were much appreciated. It meant a lot to have them both there helping me. The boys, their cousins and Jenni all stayed at the house and had a fun filled day of playing. After we all got home, Grandma, Grandpa and Stephen joined and we had a great time catching up as a family. The best part was they all cooked me dinner, did not lift a finger. Lovely! 

Overall it has been a journey that I am proud of and so pleased that I am able to run competitively again. I do it for me and my love of running. I will continue to race and to become stronger. I can now proudly say I ran a marathon. Chills!

The boys made me a sign. A little crazy but out of the signs that is the one I spotted and then saw Omer and Josh's face. It is me running against someone else with lots of I love Mom.

 Waving to my fans at mile 18

My friend Sue saw me at mile 24, a struggle. A runner as well she joined me and pumped me up again. It meant a lot to me and pushed me to the end. This is my rear side running away from her. 

 Marathon Finished, Medal Awarded