My Marathon Run

My marathon run began early on October 5 in Sacramento. I had stayed the night in a hotel with my friend Stacey. The race didn't start until 7:30 am, but we planned to get there about an hour before it started (the lines for the bathroom at these races are VERY long). We woke at around 5:45 and did our final preparations. We were both nervous and anxious. We met our other training partner, Sonja, there. Our fourth running partner, Ann, ran her marathon in St. George so she wasn't with us. There were a lot of people there around 725 people ran the 5K (three miles), 2300 ran the half marathon. and less than 300 did the full marathon. The race had pacers to help you stay on track with your finish time goal. Pacers are people who run at a constant speed throughout the entire race. They hold signs during the whole race with a goal time. For example, a sign may say half marathon finish time 2 hours and full marathon finish time 4 hours. This is the sign I tried to run next to throughout the race. My goal was to finish the marathon between four and four and a half hours. I started out feeling pretty good except that my socks were bothering me so I had to stop and fix them. The first mile seemed pretty long. I think races always seem longer than training runs because the course is unfamiliar. I kept telling myself to start out slow and steady, but according to my GPS pedometer I was running faster than normal at around an 8:30 mile. When running with a large group you always tend to run faster. The entire first half I was feeling confident, enjoying the scenery, and encouraging other runners. I completed the first half in under 2 hours and felt great. I crossed the finish line when I completed the first half and I was a little jealous of all the half-marathon runners who ended their race here. I had to run the entire 13.1 course all over again, but this is what I had trained for and I knew I could do it. I still had a lot of confidence around mile 14 and I was mentally preparing myself to pass up runners along the way. It's a great confidence boost when you pass someone! Around miles 16-17 I started feeling exhausted physically, but more mentally I think. At this point, the pacer I had been running with passed me up. I started entertaining the idea of walking for a while. I had made a goal not to walk at all, but I was beginning to give up on that goal. At around mile 16 I almost started to walk and then the theme for Rocky came on my MP3 player and it motivated me to keep running. I did finally give in and I walked for about a half a mile up a gradual hill. I told myself I had to start running again when I reached the downhill part. I was determined not to walk again, but I soon realized I would have to. I think I walked at least 3 more times. I had people passing me up instead of the other way around. I was disappointed, but also not too hard on myself. I realized that I probably started out a little too fast. I probably should have slowed down around mile 11, but I sped up with all the runners who ended at the half marathon point. My all time, favorite song to run to is "Conga" by Gloria Estefan. This song really motivates me and gets me running fast. I listened to it five times in a row from around mile 19-23. At mile 23 I told myself I only had three miles left and I was determined to run the last three miles. I stopped at the aid station for what would be my last drink before the finish line. A volunteer there was so kind as she offered me another drink of water. I shared with her my goal to run the last three miles to the finish line, but then I said "I just didn't expect it to be this hard." I started to cry and I apologized for having an "emotional breakdown." She was wonderful! She said, "I know how hard this is. I've ran a marathon before and mile 23 is very hard, but I know you can do it!" I reset my pedometer and I looked at it almost every tenth of a mile the last three miles. I was able to run the last three without walking. I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I kept envisioning my family at the finish line. I knew they would be there to cheer me on. I knew Lloyd would be there with my favorite diet limeade from Sonic. I didn't run the last three miles very quickly, but I ended strong. Sure enough, my family was there with signs. Stacey was there cheering for me and even ran a few yards with me. I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry for so many different reasons: I felt so lucky my family and friends were there cheering me on, I felt proud that I had reached my goal of running a marathon, I was disappointed I had to walk and was surprised at how hard it was; I really felt like I had trained enough and didn't expect it to be that hard, but I mostly cried because I was so happy it was over. I was presented with a cow bell finishers medal. It seems a little crazy to wear a cow bell as a medal, but I actually like it. I like it because it reminds me of all the volunteers who rang the cow bells to cheer us on as we ran. I took all the encouragement I could get. My finish time was 4 hours 24 minutes and 42 seconds. That's a 10:06 minute mile average. I was pleased that I finished in under four and a half.

Immediately after crossing the finish line, I wanted to see Lloyd and get my limeade. I almost started crying again when I told him how hard it was. I hugged my family members and then I took my shoes off. I also took my shoes off right after the race when I ran the marathon in 2000. You can't believe how wonderful it is to stop running and take your shoes off.

The agony of deFEET!

Following the race, I went to my brother's house and had a very long and hot bath. I didn't eat much because a run this long really messes up your digestive system. The next few days I felt like a cripple and walked like one too. I had to come down the stairs sideways, holding onto the side rails. I had plans to run another full marathon in April, but quickly decided a half marathon may be more realistic. Marathons are very long and hard. At this point, I've made a goal to run at least one more. I am planning to run a couple half marathons next year and a full marathon in the fall. That may be my last, who knows. Although running a marathon is extremely time consuming and very challenging, it's an awesome goal to reach. I feel so strong and lean now and I don't want to lose that feeling. Listed below are all the tools I needed and used to run my 2008 marathon.

First, I needed a spouse who was willing to support me on this endeavor. Lloyd was absolutely amazing and supportive, just like he was in 2000. He would buy me a limeade after almost every long run I did. He didn't complain when I left the house at 4:30 am to run for over 20 miles. He thought I was a bit crazy, but he didn't complain. He was understanding when I would sleep for almost 12 hours the night after doing one of those long runs. He was there for me at the finish line with all five of our kids. My husband is my rock. I love him so much and appreciate all the sacrifices he made to let me run this marathon.

I needed lots and lots of vaseline to rub on my body. This is my second jar. Anyone who has run over 15 miles will understand why vaseline is absolutely essential for marathon runners. The burn after chaffing hurts and vaseline does wonders to prevent it.

I needed a sturdy pair of running shoes. Ann loves New Balance so I decided to give them a try. I actually have two pairs of these shoes. Good shoes are essential to prevent injury to your knees!

Okay, I am really attached to these shorts. They are my marathon running shorts. I ran in them when I ran my marathon in 2000. They are fabulous because they go all the way to my knees and they have these huge pockets that zip. I can hold my headphones and MP3 player in one of the pockets. In 2000, I zipped an entire poncho in one of those pockets! I have LOVED these shorts that I originally bought at Target in 2000. I cannot find anything like them today. I wore them for in training for every long run I did. I also wore them for my marathon run. The inseams are all frayed and worn out. They are really in bad shape. It breaks my heart, but I'm going to have to retire my favorite running shorts. I don't know how I'll do another marathon without them! My MP3 player is an absolute must when I am running. Technically for insurance reasons, you are not suppose to run with headphones during races, but nobody really follows that rule. Lloyd has downloaded 52 of my favorite songs onto my MP3 player. With, "Conga" being my favorite.

My GPS pedometer is the best running tool technology has given us. It can calculate your distance, time, pace, etc. It really helps to know how far you've gone and what pace your running at. This was actually Stacey's and I pretty much stole it from her. She got herself a new one and let me buy this from her for a nominal fee. Thanks, Stacey! It was on a weird setting during the marathon and kept turning off on me, but I never would have ran the last three miles without it. I know I will be using this pedometer for years to come.

I don't really like to eat or drink when I am running, but when you run over ten miles you need to continue to hydrate your body. I began drinking G2 throughout my training runs. I never carry it when I run. I usually left a couple bottles of it at Ann's house and I would run by and drink them throughout my long runs. I prefer G2 because it has less calories than regular Gatorade (every calorie counts). They served Cytomax at the aid stations throughout the race and it was dreadful!

Alas, the Sonic diet limeade. I've already mentioned that these are what got me through my long runs and to the finish line on race day. These limeades are the most refreshing drink after running for hours. I would start getting tired and then I would imagine how great my limeade is going to taste when I'm done; it would help me to keep going. It is made with diet Sprite, lime flavoring, and real limes. They also have cherry, but I prefer the tart lime flavor after a long run. When I trained in 2000, I would have a lemon slush after every long run. I haven't found anything like that so I've gotten attached to the limeades. This is a Route 44 size, and again it's diet because every calorie counts even when you run over 20 miles.

Finally, my training partners were invaluable to me. We would encourage and support one another throughout this entire process. We would meet together at 4:30 am for long runs. We would share ideas that worked and compare stories of how our bodies ached after long runs. I am grateful for the support I received from Sonja, Stacey, and Ann. Below Ann, Stacey, and I went out to dinner to celebrate our accomplishment a couple weeks after our runs.
So there you have it, my little story of my marathon run. Thank you to anyone who actually took the time to read it. As an after note, I did run a 10K (6.2 miles) six days after the marathon. Six miles seemed like a walk in the park after running a marathon. I actually finished in third place in my age category with a time of 52:53 (8:31 mile average) and was given a little medal. Sonja finished just before me and got second place. I never thought I'd win a medal in any race. I was pretty excited!