Marathoner.

Back when I started this crazy journey in June, on my 30th birthday to be exact, I wasn't entirely sure I could do it. Run a marathon? I know people have done much crazier, tougher things...but for me this was always the thing I wanted so badly to do but was scared to commit to. Mostly because I was afraid I couldn't get it done. Thankfully, with lots of help and an amazing amount of support from so many people who understand I'm a crazy person who can't stop running, get it done I did...in about 4:14. :)

My fellow crazy-person runner sister ran it right alongside me. We both followed about the same 23 week training plan that went from June through race day (November 10th). We both had a few bumps and aches and pains during the course of the training. My IT band hurt, her achilles hurt, we were tired, we though we weren't gonna make it, we weren't sure we wanted to make it, etc. We both learned a lot about stretching, icing, pacing, fueling, resting, tapering, bagel-eating, carb-loading, hydrating, gu eating, chafing and long-running.

The day of the race I woke up looking calm on the outside, but was totally fuh-reaking out on the inside. I was certain I forgot everything I needed on the way out the door, but managed to at least have my legs and shoes. Necessities for a race, I believe. The weather turned out to be fantastic. The crowds along the course were so awesome with their high-fives and funny signs. The course was relatively non-hilly (which I appreciate since I'm generally found on the treadmill...which is generally flat) and through the fall-foliage of the capitol city. We really couldn't have asked for better conditions.

Amanda and I's husbands both were running support team for us. (Along with my awesome training team coaches -Amanda lives in another state, and trained on her own. I trained with a local team.- who showed up at various points along the course to check on us and tell me us we were awesome. I didn't feel awesome after about mile 18, but I appreciated it anyway.) Our mom, sisters, and my kids were all waiting for us with signs and cowbells at the finish line. Speaking of miles...I felt like Usain Bolt up until said mile 18...then I started to feel kind of like I was dying. I became familiar with what is known as "the wall" at about mile 20. It's an ugly place to be, and running into it hurts. Thankfully there are things called Clif Bloks, and people who hand you cups of yummy blue Powerade, and husbands who meet you at mile 21 and run with you until the finish line.

The last 5 miles were pretty brutal. I never thought I wouldn't finish at that point, but I was terrified that I would finish in a very ugly manner. As in crying and crawling very slowly. But as you can see from that last picture, Amanda and I did cross the finish line on our feet, with what appear to be smiles (but are possibly grimaces of pain from the cramps in our leg muscles...haha) The fact that it was down a huge hill definitely helped. I totally could have curled up in the fetal position (kind of where I wanted to be at mile 24) and rolled down it. But that's not cute for pictures. I did do a little boo-hooing once I crossed the finish line, also not cute for pictures. But at that point I was less concerned with what I looked like and more concerned with getting to the grass so I could lay down for the rest of my life. I've been doing what's known as the "marathon shuffle" today, and trying not to wear my medal out to do things like go to Walmart or to church, or stand in the parking lot admiring my new 26.2 sticker on my van.

The race was tough. Honestly tougher than I was expecting. But I'm so blessed to have been able to do it, and blessed by the people who helped me do it. My legs are looking forward to a little recovery, and I'm sure my husband is looking forward to me not talking about my training every .5 seconds. I'll also try to stop referring to myself as a "marathoner" at every chance. Maybe. ;)

"It was a carnival of pain, but he loved each stride because running distilled him to his essence." - Tabor