Man I am happy! Really really happy! As bad as I felt last night I just didn't know how this was going to go. I didn't make the time that I trained for, but last night I was questioning if I would even start or finish. I had finally come to the conclusion that I was going to go out very conservative--slower then planned, and then pick it up at the halfway point if I felt okay. I don't know if the slow start hurt me or saved me! Either way it worked out and I have $500 in my pocket that I didn't have before and I finally got to break the tape! Pre-race: As we drove to the hotel I was miserable--hacking, congested, sore throat. Ugh. Didn't take any cold medicine because I knew it would stay in my system too long and make me groggy. I did take 2 motrin to ease the sore throat, drank a cup of chamomile tea, and crawled into bed. at 9:30. Nighttime: Bad. We would have been better off sleeping in the car. The bed sagged in the middle, the pillows were really flat, I couldn't breathe through my nose, and our neighbor upstairs sure did a lot of walking around. We tossed and turned all night, and gave up at 3:30 am. We turned on the television and watched the news and brewed some coffee. At 5:30 we left for the starting line. We were there by 6am. I choked down a few cups of water, a banana, and half a bagle. I could breathe better through my nose when upright, so I was a little hopeful. 10 minutes before the race, last year's winner asked if I wanted to warm up with her and we jogged around a little and then got on the line. Just as the sun came up, the gun went off. I pulled my sunglasses over my eyes, and we were off. 1-4: 7:09, 7:33, 7:25, 7:31 Lezlee takes off. I am holding back--I am going to stay conservative and run the first half holding back and see how this is going to go. Right at around mile 4 I catch up to Lezlee again and we run about the next 8 miles together and chat. She is really nice! 5-12: 7:35, 7:31, 7:36, 7:36, 7:38, 7:30, 7:42, 7:31 Lezlee has a hamstring injury that is starting to bother her and she starts to slow down. I decide to open up a little bit and pull ahead. I hit the turn around feeling decent in 1:39 something so I try to pick it up. 13-20: 7:25, 7:33, 7:44, 7:29, 7:21, 7:21, 7:14, 7:20 I run miles 13 and 14 alone but can hear a loud group of men coming up behind me. I decide when they get to me I am going to latch on and hang for the ride. They catch me at 14. Most of them are going for sub 3:20--sounds good to me! I chat with Greg who is drying to BQ, and Hawk from iceland. As we reach mile 20 fatigue is setting in and nobody is talking much. One guy announces that the second half of the marathon has begun. So true! I wonder how far behind me the other women are. 21-22: 7:21, 7:29 Our group splinters. Greg and one other guy pull ahead, two guys fall back. Me and Hawk from iceland stay together. We are not talking much anymore but I am glad to not be running alone. I feel the sense of impending crash. At mile 22 I suck down a gu, hoping it saves me. 23-24: 7:45, 7:59 Nosing up against the wall and fading now. This was the worst part. My legs hurt, my mental stamina is suffering, the air is thick and I feel like I am swimming instead of running. Me and Hawk share the water bottle he is carrying--such a nice guy! As we turn down the home straightaway the radio station guy asks me how to pronounce my last name, tells me I am the lead lady, and wishes me luck. 25-26: 7:44, 7:43 Maybe the gu is kicking in but mentally I begin to feel better. I can win this, and that is what I am thinking about right now. I try to rally and push my stiff legs as fast as they will go. I can win this. I can win this. Somewhere in mile 26 Hawk fades back, but he yells at me "you go girl!". The radio station guy is driving in a truck next to me. .2 I forgot to stop my watch and the Garmin is measuring a little long anyway. All I know is I see the finish banner. I try to do some kind of pathetic sprint and then I am running through red tape and it is over! I threw my arms up and whooped. They cut my chip off, put a medal around my neck,put the blanket on my shoulders, and I walk over to my husband. He hugs me and my legs seize up a little bit so I lean on him but after a few minutes I can walk again. Aftermath: Got interviewed by the local radio station and a couple local papers. So crazy! After a while I am hacking up a lung but I only coughed once during the race. I got $500 and two medals and an Eisenhower head statue thing and a sweet shirt. 2nd and 3rd were 9 and 10 minutes behind me. The second place woman this was her first marathon and she had to do all her training on a treadmill! wow! Our friend Amy finally BQed with five minutes to spare! It was a good day! I am ready to take some cold medicine and collapse now!
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