G'morning Cheetahs!! Rest day here for me today, I think I deserve it!
My knee is still really sore, I'm icing it again. (Sarah, I don't think it's IT band, my friend that I run with has that) I woke up around 3AM & it was really inflamed & tender so I took some Advil. I'm not all *that* sore in my legs, not as bad as I thought!! I know those squats & lunges I've been doing w/ Cathe has really strengthened my legs a LOT!! If my darn knee weren't hurting I'd consider going for a walk or something!
Ok, here's a full marathon report...
Of course it will probably be long as usual!! First of all, NO rain!!! It was chilly to start (in the 50's) but it felt great!! A little cloudy & the sun came out by about mile 17, I think?? (I got a little sun on my nose & cheeks!)
Anyway, I started out feeling great. NO bathroom issues, and I just felt strong (I think the taper was a good thing!). I didn't stay w/ my friends Erin & Melissa for long, they were not planning to run my pace. I found a few nice people to run with & chat with along the way, and my hardest miles were when I was pretty much ALL alone. It seemed I'd go in spurts where there seemed to be people about .25 mile ahead & behind me. It was neat though, there were bands, marching bands, and all kinds of musicians along the way. It was a nice course & not too hilly. I was soooo happy when I hit the half & saw 2:03 which was my goal & just knew I could finish in under 4:15. I had a few walks w/ the water stations & I think I did 4 vanilla gu's in all? (I lost track, might have been 5.) Then it hit close to 15 when I started feeling pain in my right knee, which is strange. I've NEVER had pain in my right knee, or anything on my right side!! (it's always my left achilles & my left foot where I had tendonitis). Anyway, it was bearable but I had to slow down. Then it all went downhill after mile 18. I was in pain. I knew I could finish it, but it was really hurting. I took some quick walk breaks & stretched just a bit thinking it might help. NOPE, it hurt. I hit 20 miles & could see the finish line, but then we had to run 3 miles out & back to really finish. It was the *worst* 6.2 miles of my life. My calves were cramping & I just felt every agonizing step. Thankfully I did NOT have to use a portapotty or even felt the need to go to the bathroom, which might mean I didn't drink enough (although I drank at every station, sometimes 2 cups!). It was sheer will & prayer that got me through those 3 miles out. I thought of everyone, family, friends, and all of you awesome ladies!! As I turned around & ran back a ways I see Erin & Melissa!!! I was thrilled to see them & just kept hanging on. 25 miles was a killer & I tried to pick up the pace but couldn't get too much speed w/out major pain in my knee. Then as I'm getting closer I see Amy (our other friend who ran the half) & she ran me in, which was awesome. They were calling out your name as you near the finish line so I hear Jessica _____ from IL which was neat & then I see Greg, the girls, & my Mom calling for me & holding up the signs that they made special for me. I got all teary & crossed that finish line. Wow, what a rush. But then I was seriously hobbling around, I was in a lot of pain. I got some water & fruit & stretched out a bit & started to feel a little better. Then Erin & Melissa finished up- they finished around 4:52. I'm so proud of them & I'm so lucky to have such great friends to run with. (and they both have been fighting off injuries)
Splits:
1- 8:56
2- 9:15
3- 9:18
4- 8:58
5- 8:44
6- 9:07
7- 9:04
8- 9:55
9- 9:37
10- 9:33
11- 9:35
12- 9:59
13- 9:23
14- 9:57
15- 10:36
16- 10:30
17- 10:00
18- 10:46
19- 11:42
20- 11:23
21- 10:54
22- 12:12
23- 13:24
24- 11:42
25- 12:22
26- 12:11
.39- 10:10
Official time: 4:33 (Garmin time 4:32:59, must have stopped it a second too soon!)
I am really proud of myself for finishing. I won't lie- it wasn't easy but I did it!! I felt crummy the rest of the day- had the chills, then my usual hot flashes (weird long running thing), we drove back to my Mom's (45 min drive) & I took my shower there & she treated us to my favorite restaurant. Then we headed home & it was good to be home! I'm hoping it isn't anything major, I do plan on taking maybe a week off from running.
And I gotta give kudos to my fabulous dh, he has been so great supporting me through the long runs & taking care of the girls. My Mom was a tremendous help also & I know I wouldn't be where I am w/out their love & support. (even if they think I'm a nut for running! )
OK, there were tons more details that I can't even begin to process yet, but there's the *short* version!! Oh yeah, and I did my hair in piggy tails/ braids & got called Pippi a few times along the route, funny!
I added some pics and NOT all are very pretty!! I looked horrible after finishing & had NO color to me. I didn't start to really feel better until after I took a shower & relaxed a bit at my Mom's. Click on my picture trail in the recent pics folder!
Thanks for reading & supporting me!!
