Just one race at a time

I am having a hard time writing this race report.  Words can’t seem to do this experience justice, with the actual race being just a small part of it.  I know this is going to be long so like others have said if you just want to read about the race skip to the RACE REPORT heading. 

I have been stressing about this event for a long time now.  I have stressed about the travel, the race itself and my training.  I was so happy to see Smooth at the airport as I arrived on Friday night and from that moment on all the stress left me as I knew all my great friend would take care of me.  Marcie soon joined us at the airport and I think I attached myself to her from that point on, thanks Marcie you were the best!

We arrived in Boston on Saturday morning I didn’t sleep at all on the plane even though I had drugs, but the excitement of the day kept me going.  We went to the expo got our numbers and shopped for a while.  I have a hard time parting with money so I didn’t buy anything.  We then meet up with Teena, Smooth, and Lucy to go on the Marathon tour.  I am so glad I did this it really helped with my race to know what was coming I think I will take the tour next year too just to show my husband the course.  That night we had the best Chinese food courtesy of Larry and Susanna.

Sunday I slept in while Marci ran the 5K.  It was nice to be able to get some much needed extra sleep.  We meet up for church but when we got there the building was locked except for a utility door.  We went in and held our own meeting.  It was so nice to see the none running side of my friends.  They are some of the best people on earth and I am glad they allow me in even though they are way out of my league.   Later that day we went to the pre-race dinner I was not happy with it at all!  I bought some pizza on the way home but I had been eating all day so I am sure I didn’t need it.

Monday night I couldn’t sleep I went to bed at 9:00 and woke up at 1:00 I tossed and turned until 3:00 at that time I got up and got my itouch.  I had downloaded Aprils conference talks on it and I listened to the last Sunday session.  It calmed me right down and I fell asleep until the alarm went off at 5:00.  For the first time before a race I took a nice hot bath, I think this will be a new tradition for me it felt so good.  We met in the lobby and rode the busses to the start.  When we got to the village I was surprised that I was so emotional.  I missed Kimmy and I started to cry.  I don’t anyone saw me.  I called her even though it was really early.  It was so good to hear her voice and she made me feel so much better right away.  I then called my husband, I love him so much he always knows just what to say.  My melt down was over and I was ready for the race. 

We went to the potties several times and it was clear that I was well hydrated! Dropped our bags and then headed for the corals.  At this time we had lost Smooth and we couldn’t find her.  We had made signs that said “UTAH GRANNIES LOVE BOSTON” and we were all going to run together.  I guess it was just going to be Marci and me. 

RACE REPORT

When the gun went off and we crossed the start line, I just stared to run at what felt like a really comfortable pace.  I could tell I was going too fast and Marcie thought we were too.  I felt really good though and I decided I would go with it for a while longer.

(1-3) 8:42, 8:18, 8:25.  I was giving the kids high fives and having a great time. 

(4-6) 8:18, 8:20, 8:18.  Each time is see a split come up I know it is fast but I feel like I am running my 9:13 recovery pace.  Marcie tells me to let some people pass me and slow down I try I really do.

(7-9) 8:18, 8:28, 8:27.   Right here in the race I get tapped on the shoulder and someone says “are you Kathie?”  It was one of Kimmy’s really good friends.  They had joked about her saying hi to me and it was so cool to see her. 

(10-12) 8:42, 8:52, 8:40 I am starting to feel it but mostly in my left foot the arch is bothering me.  I start to panic and worried that I will tear something like Rhett did but when the pain doesn’t increase I just go with it.

(13-15) 8:35, 8:45, 8:53 I still feel great I know the hard part is coming and I think I am ready for it.

(16-18) 10:03, 9:25, 9:16  At the start of 16 Marcie and I walk the water stop rather than running through it ( I learn how to drink and run for the first time!!!!!)  She wanted to walk more and so we parted ways.  The hills are taking their toll at this point and my legs are on fire.  I start to repeat my mantra “pain doesn’t affect my pace or performance”

(19-21) 9:10, 9:27, 10:03 Half way up heart break I see a lady with a baby around the same age as my grandson.  I stop and ask if I can kiss her baby, she lets me and It was totally what got me up the hill.

(22-24) 9:00, 9:07, 9:28 At the start of this mile I had planned to dedicate the last miles to family members.  22- Katlyn 23-Nick 24-Jordan 25 Andrea 26 baby Clark and .2 to the love of my life.  I started to think about my daughter, when I did I started to bawl.  My breathing was all over the place and I started to get a side ache.  That was the end of that I turned up my music and started to sing I was going to do anything but think of my family!  At mile 24.5 I started to cramp with every step I thought I was going to die but I was so close I had to keep going.

25-26.2 9:25, 9:58  As I come into town I am in so much pain I start to cry I know I can finish I just want to come in under four hours but I can barely move.  I know that my friends from the forum are going to be .3 miles from the finish on the right side.  I start to scan the crowd.  I see Rhett and Doone I really start to cry and I go over to them. I grab Doones hand and I think I am going to break them I squeeze so hard.  Rhett hops the fence and runs with me I am not sure what I would have done without him!

This weekend was so great and this is so long I will not bore you with any further details other than I ran into Crosland in the airport, I recognized him from his tattoo.