Last year the Dallas Marathon was canceled in a freak ice storm that lasted for 3 days - so many people who trained never had the chance to run. This year the race sold out quite early and I'm glad I got there pretty early because it was packed! Finding friends was hard, I'm grateful I found my girls because my nerves were shot, I was literally shaking when I was waiting to start. The weather was pretty crummy - 100% humidity, warm, and just super muggy.
Of course I obsessively checked the weather all week and they PROMISED no rain until the afternoon. Freaking liars - I swear all the news anchors got together and said 'Oh lets just promise them no rain so they don't freak out'. I wore pants in an effort to keep my KT tape on my calves and IT band and a dri - fit top with sleeves to help minimize any chaffing from my hydration pack.
I decided to take my pack because it was so warm and I wasn't sure how many water stops there would be, plus it holds a ton of running fuel. The Dallas Marathon actually had more than enough water stops - super impressed! In hindsight I should have worn a belt for easier access to my fuel, I lost my running partner around mile 8 and once I had to ask a stranger on the sidelines to get it out for me and three times I saw friends who helped me out.
My friends. Y'all seriously, seeing so many friendly faces on the sidelines was the biggest help!! My Rockwall running girls were at 3 different miles, it was so awesome as you can tell from the pic :)
I wore my Garmin in an effort to keep my pace where it needed to be, but the start through mile 4ish was pretty crowded and I didn't want to expend extra energy trying to weave in between people so I kept a steady pace some where between 10:30 and 11.
I didn't wear any headphones because it's really isolating during a run, but I did turn my music out loud for the first 10 miles or so. The drizzle started around mile 15 and I decided to take off my backpack and put my phone in the Ziploc - so no music and no one to talk to.
It really started to rain around mile 19 just when I was hitting my wall, thank GOD one of my soccer girls was under a bridge at mile 20 with beer. I guzzled that thing so fast and felt so much better - next time I'll have a second! 19-21 was really hard for me, I had to keep the tears at bay mostly so I could breathe. The rain was just pouring down on us, my worst fear realized, but I didn't let it hold me back. My feet were KILLING me and I was sure I lost a toenail on one side. I started to keep track of my time for the last 5 miles, I REALLY wanted to come in under 5 hours.
My two love bugs waiting for me at the finish!
So around mile 21 I realized I had less than an hour to get to the finish, in the pouring rain, with soggy shoes and blisters everywhere. I literally chanted to myself "Do not screw this up now! Do not screw this up now!' I thought of all the text messages I got and all the posts to my Facebook and I just. kept. running.
The rain started to come in sideways and all I could do was laugh. OF COURSE it would rain on Marathon day! My stupid Garmin was wrong, pretty much the entire race it told me my pace was around a 10:50 {I was really closer to an 11:20} and the miles were off by at least half a mile. It's really screws with your mind to hit 26 on your watch, but not see the finish line yet.
The last 2 miles took everything inside of me, I had nothing left to give, but somewhere I dug it out. I have NEVER EVER pushed myself so hard. THIS is why people run marathons, to push your body so hard, just for you, no one is telling you to - you can quit if you want - but to really dig deep and do something so hard is indescribable. That feeling is the best feeling ever. Prideful.
My finish time was 4:55 just under my 5 hour goal, by the damn skin on my teeth! I also realized my goal of having a baby and running my first marathon in the same year - not a bad way to close out 2014!!
I couldn't stop crying at the finish line, I have held in the tears for so long and it felt good to get in that celebratory cry. I could barely limp, my feet were a mess from running in wet shoes. The runners walk to the family reunion area was the longest of my life - I got both my medals {one for the half I trained for last year at 27 weeks pregnant and never got to run!} and some snacks and of course a beer. Then I met up with Oliver and Madison for the longgggggggggggggggggggggg mile hike to find my car killmenow. Next time I'm requesting the stroller be brought, I ain't too proud.
After the longest hour ride of my life home, most of which was spent moaning about my stomach cramping up, I got a nice hot Epsom salt bath and put on my best sweats. It was 3pm and I had been running for 5 hours on a Cliff bar, 5 Advocare Rehydrates, and Skittles. I needed some real food - and by real I mean REAL DAMN GOOD.
As you can see from Madison's outfit I was not in the mood to argue over clothing - just put something on and lets go! I had a burger and onion rings and it was AHHHHHHHHHHMAZING - Oliver just thought it was just ok so obviously I was just hungry. The rest of the day was spent with Aiden on the floor icing and stretching, I skipped the gym today. I'm sore, but it mostly my back and abs and the blisters on my feet.
Will I do it again? Totally. I learned a lot and I feel like I have room for improvement, but no plans for another 26.2 just yet.
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