Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I am a marathoner!

***Warning, this is a little long, and kind of disorganized.  Read at your own risk!!***

Friday, I was a bundle of nerves as my buddy (hi Kim) took me to the airport.  I was leaving for Orlando to run my first marathon.  Sure, I had plenty of time to prep, but honestly, the last nine weeks (especially the last two) have been full of unexpected.  I was traveling, I was sick, I was injured and I had a really major personal development that had taken control of my life.  Honestly, preparing myself mentally for this race was not a priority.

My mom was waiting for me at the airport and aside from being nervous and excited about running my marathon, I was excited to see my mom and get a big hug from her. We headed to the resort (my mom had been there for two days already) and met with my TNT group really quick before heading to the Captains Grille for dinner (Rosemary porkchops with a bacon polenta---soo good).

I debated waking up early to go and see the half marathoners finish, but I decided to take advantage of some time to sleep in.  Mom and I walked to the main part of hotel on a beautiful day, got some breakfast, met with Katye and then headed to the expo.


The expo was huge, but we didn't spend much time there.  I wanted to pick up some sports shield (I forgot mine when I packed my bag--had to settle for body glide--never again) and some mint chocolate gus and new belt for the race.  Mom and I had tickets for Animal Kingdom, so we parted ways with Katye so we could enjoy the park.

We headed to Macaroni Grill for diner where I thought I was meeting up with Courtney until we realized we were are two different Macaroni Grills!  We decided to meet up the next morning before the race and mom and I ate out meal, then headed back to the room where, with the help of Unisom, we were both asleep by 8:15.

My 2:00 wake up call came quickly, but I felt well rested.  I quickly got dressed, ate a Clif Bar, drank some water and snapped a picture of my outfit.



I met with my team, rode the bus and then hung out in the family meet up area, where we sat in the cold for awhile.  
Katye in her sheet.  Seriously, best idea ever.
Katye, Me, Courtney.  It was so nice to meet Courtney--she is SUPER sweet!  I think I almost tackled her when I hugged her.  Sorry!!!  (stole the pic from her too)

Heading to the start (20 minute walk in the cold) with my 17,000 closest friends.

 My running buddy D and I made our way to our starting corral (after a little confusion as to where each corral started) and waited.  Eventually, each wave (and fireworks went off)!
Before I knew it, we started.  I felt great.  D and I kept with our intervals and were doing really well!  The first two miles flew by.  Before I knew it, we hit epcot.
 My belt was causing my skirt to creep up for a generous thigh display.  Sorry folks.

It was pretty cool running through Epcot in the dark.  I forgot to snap a picture of a big Christmas Tree all decorated up :(

Around mile four, my thighs (which are best friends and never shall part) felt like a fire was starting.  Darn you body glide.  Luckily, we hit a medic station where they had some sort of lubrication goop for runners (on Popsicle sticks) and liberally applied (while flashing people....woops!!)

Before I knew it, we hit the magic kingdom.  I wanted to go through this area slower to take it all in.  I wanted to find Ariel too!  

 At the Magic Kingdom
I did not find Ariel, but I did find these lovely peple!
 LOVED meeting the Stepsisters and stepmother.

After the Magic Kingdom, D and I split up.  I could feel my left knee and hip start to bother me and I was going to change my intervals to 1:1.  

13-20 were a blur.  I felt great.  I never had felt so great in any of my previous races as I felt at 15 or 18.  Seriously, how weird is that.

My awesome cousin's husband had warned me that the real halfway point was mile 20. I scoffed at this, because I felt great.  Then, around 20.5, I felt like a truck ran me over.  My hip and knee were screaming.  I was almost in tears, worried that I would not be able to finish (seriously, the pain was that bad).  Fortunately, my TNT coach was right at this point, got me talking and took my mind off the pain.  I can not thank her enough for that!

Miles 21-24 felt like they took FOREVER.  There was lots to see and lots of people, but I was still in so much pain and was trying to power through that that I didn't get to take it in as much as I would have liked.

Around 24.5, I started to get really emotional.  I think at this point, I realized I was going to finish and what I had accomplished.  I took a nice older woman in her motorized scooter with a sign that read "Dear Stranger, I know we don't know each other, but I am so PROUD of you" to get me teary eyed and realize what I was going to accomplish.

We entered Epcot, went around the world and I realized I was almost done. My TNT coach couldn't finish with me, so I ended up running the last .2 miles by myself.  I saw (and heard) my mom yelling for me, and I started to cry.  I kept going (after waving) and heard Katye screaming for me as I crossed the finish line and started to cry a bit harder. Then I got my medal and a few more tears came out (in case you couldn't tell, I am a crier).  I found my mom and Katye pretty quickly and yes, I cried some more.

We walked around a bit, then headed to the hotel, where I decided to take my first real ice bath.  I think that might have been the most painful part of my whole marathon experience.  I could hear my mom laughing at me as I shrieked when I first got in.

After that, we met with Katye, got some food and then I was off to the airport (I had to get back to work for Monday morning) with this bad boy around my neck.


My time wasn't great (6:55), but I finished, which is really what is important.  I think that I learned a lot from my experience and I know how to proceed for the next time!  A guy had an awesome shirt that said "Finished Dead Last is better than Did Not Finish" and I totally agreed.  THe best thing was, though, was that I got to slap that 26.2 mile sticker on my car.

This was such a great experience.  I learned that I am way stronger, both emotionally and physically, than I ever thought I was and it couldn't have come at a better time.  As I finished and was limping around, my mom asked if I would ever do it again, and without hesitating, I said yes.  I would do it over and over again.

So, who is up for the Marine Corp Marathon in October (registration is 2/23/11)?

18 comments:

dawn @ running the dawn said...

i am so so proud of you woman! you just did IT!!!! a marathon. the whole thing. you're amazing. take good care of yourself during this recovery time. take time off and enjoy basking in the post marathon glow :)

Jen said...

Yay... I was in tears reading this... O felt the same way at 20... and at 24.5 during my first marathon. WAY TO GO!

Courtney @ I CAN DO THIS said...

YAYYYY! Awesome recap, Erin. And it was so much fun meeting you (sorry about the dinner mixup). LOL - I totally forgot about the tackle move. I loved it. I was so excited that you were as excited as I was!

You had an awesome race! I'm so glad I got to meet you and be a part of your experience. I think we need to hook up again for another TNT race!!!

abbi said...

Congratulations! Take some time to rest, relax and enjoy the post-marathon high!

jamie@sweatyhugs said...

I was tearing up reading this Erin. (I'm a crier too! LOL) I'm so so so proud of you and all you have accomplished to get to the 26.2!

Sue G. said...

Yeah Erin! Whoo Hoo! So happy for you! The ice bath is painful, but heck, after running 26.2 miles, it's a snap!

Sara said...

AWESOME! I am so proud of you! I loved your race review, and I am so glad to see the pictures too - how totally fun! You have accomplished something great and you should be so very proud of yourself. I can't wait to run 26.2 (for the first time) in May! You are an inspiration to me to get out there and keep training hard!!!! Way to go!

Laura said...

Congrats!!! Great recap.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

So proud of you Erin! Congrats on becoming a marathoner! Now go tell everyone who will listen!

Wendy said...

Congratulations Erin! I am so proud of you -- you are one of the few and dedicated who can say that they have done a marathon! Welcome to the club. :) I am so glad it went okay for you. Trust me, the torture of the last 6.2 miles will fade in your memory and soon enough...you'll crave the next full marathon! (Sounds like you already are!)

If you are interested in a full or half, the Austin Marathon is Feb. 20. I plan to run the half. The course goes right past my apartment complex! It actually looks like a great course, though I admit the registration fee is steep....let me know! :)

Wendy

WannabeRunner said...

Congratulations!!!! That's so amazing - you are a marathoner!! :)

Katie said...

Congratulations!! I am so proud of you! I started tearing up when you mentioned the lady with the sign! So amazing! And, I will be there with you at the MCM if my first marathon goes well in March!

Liz said...

I cannot even express how excited I am for you. Absolutely AMAZING! You rocked it!
Can't wait to see you so I can give you a big congratulatory hug!

Big HUGS!

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

yay yay yay yay yay!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on finishing a marathon! Thank you for sharing the shirt that said "Finished Dead Last is better than Did Not Finish". I have been debating my first 5K, but was thinking of waiting until I was faster, but after reading your post and seeing that quote, I have realized that the finish is the important thing. Amazing job:-) I look forward to following your running journey!!!

Kim said...

Congratulations! I am sorry it took me so long to get to commenting.

You ran a very strong first marathon. I am so proud of you!

ashley said...

connnngrats!!! i hope i can say the same in 2011!