Rocket City Marathon

I am a three-time marathoner now! I am so incredibly proud since less than ten months ago I had a baby. Oh what a journey it has been! I have so, so many people that I am grateful to, namely my spouse (Chasen) and my marathon advisor (John). But let's get right to the report.

We arrived in Huntsville early yesterday afternoon. After dinner I laid out all of my gear. Here is my shirt.

I am now, and will always be, running for Elijah.

Everything was ready to go in the closet. It takes a lot of stuff to run 26.2 miles!

I slept really well last night, thank goodness. I woke about once an hour from 3 AM on, but that's fine by me. I got up. had my breakfast, "did my business" and got ready to head out. Since it was sooooo cold (less than 40 degrees, we decided that Chasen and Isaac would stay in the room. The race literally started and ended in front of our hotel. What luck! And we got to stay here for FREE thanks to Chasen's travel points. Score!

Yesterday at the expo I got to meet THE Disney Runner, Gordon from Alabama! We hit it off like old pals (since we technically are). So I found him at the start line, where I was literally THE LAST RUNNER. Gordon and I took off together. That was fantastic! However, that didn't even last five miles because I had to make an emergency visit to the port-o-potty which cost me nearly 3 minutes, I think. Not good! I'll let you use your imagination as to what I was doing in there.

After that I was never to see Gordon again. In fact, I ran about the next 17 miles ALONE, in the wind and cold, with no ipod (as this is a no-headphones race and apparently everyone stuck to it). I was, of course, very lonely out there. Granted, I do every single training run alone. But, marathons are different. I always find a buddy to make it much, much easier! No such luck today, at least not yet.

My port-o-potty stop put me dead last on the course. Literally. The police car was following me. This made water stops and cheering stations very exciting as I got rock star treatment! The people were probably thinking "Hallelujah, this is the last person. Now we can get out of this cold!"

I wasn't last for long. I really got my act together and started passing people. Mind you, I was under STRICT orders from John to not exceed 12:52 per mile for the first 10 miles. So I tried to do just that!

Here I am when Chasen and Isaac first got to me, around mile 9. Lookin' good!

And here I am again, flying solo.

I really focused on the fact that I was running "just ten miles - for John." They clicked off like nothing.

Miles 1-10: Under 12:52 Or John Will Kill Me

1 - 13:09 (with Gordon)

2 - 12:43 (with Gordon)

3 - 12:26 (with Gordon - sorry John!)

4 - 12:33 (ditto)

5 - 15:01 (port-o-potty debacle, eeeeew!)

6 - 14:13 (I think this must have been where I had to stop AGAIN. Eeeew!)

7 - 12:15

8 - 13:03

9 - 12:37

10 - 13:09

After this I planned to speed up a bit. I was still alone, but I was seeing Chasen and Isaac more frequently. It was freezing cold, and oh so windy, so Chasen only got Isaac out every few stops. But when he did, I got a kiss! Now that put some spring into my stride! And might I point out that I ran the first 17 or so miles SOLID, i.e. no walking!?! That is a huge accomplishment for me.

Miles 11-20: Diligent But Conservative

11 - 12:15

12 - 12:43

13 - 12:26

14 - 12:14

15 - 12:08

16 - 12:38

17 - 13:40

18 - 14:43

19 - 14:15

20 - 15:05

After this, when the wheels were starting to fall off, I called John. I figured it would do me some good. He did not disappoint! He commended me and told me to go to the 3:1 method. That worked! Shortly after this I finally met a running buddy who agreed to 3:1 it with me. He is Eric the first time marathoner and first time dad (albeit triathlete) who only trained up to ten miles for this race. Crazy!

Here are first-time-dad Eric and I getting down to business.

The next time Chasen passed by I yelled "I finally found a friend!" Ha. We stayed together until mile 24 or so, but I'll get to that...

Here we are again. He was an amazing help to me.

At about mile 24 we started to see the rest of the pack (less than ten other people) and the "course sweepers," the two people designated to run a perfect 6:00:00 race. We knew we had to hustle, so Eric suggested that we started running solid. This is when I started "haulin' a$#!!!!!"

This is about the last time we'd be together. Eric had a much longer stride, so he got ahead.

As I said, this is when I turned on the heat! It was necessary to meet the official course deadline of 6:00:00. I could not walk, not in the last bit. I started running hard (for an exhausted 26.2 mama). I wasn't saying anything to any of the volunteers any more. Honestly, all of my under-my-breath words for ones with four letters! I had to finish this dang thing.

The finish line just wouldn't show its face. Run, run, run. It was finally in sight - hallelujah. The cheering was immense and intense! And I had left Eric in the dust.

Here I come, at long last! I was giving it all I had.

Elated to be steps away from the finish line!

Miles 21-26.2: Finish This Insanity ASAP

21 - 16:25

22 - 15:20

23 - 15:44

24 - 15:35

25 - 14:34

26 - 12:28

.2 - an 8:43 pace!

Total: 5:59:58 Thank God!

So, it wasn't my best race, but I could not be more proud. It was tough out there! But as Chasen put it, "I was tougher." Now that's a good man!

I parked it in the lobby and Chasen went to get me some food. Isaac sports my medal!

I am the proudest Marathoner Mommy there is! Isaac sports my Rocket City finisher's hat.

That's all, folks. It was a long, hard journey (both today and the past almost ten months). But now I'VE DONE IT!