Marathon.

These pictures aren't the greatest, but i am there somewhere. My kids finally made it to see me run. The week before the race, i really took it easy with a couple of rest days. The days that i did run, was mostly good, short efforts with strides.

Race day morning, the weather was perfect. I was very relieved, especially after we had the rain and cold temperatures. I was lucky (thanks to the distance challenge), that i got to line up towards the front. The first few miles, i felt like Forest Gump. I never wanted to stop running, i felt so good. At, about mile 6 - i thought, i had a rock in my shoe, but realized it was the tape that was causing friction on my feet. I taped my feet to avoid blisters. Well, i thought the pain would eventually just go numb, but after i stopped to use the restroom, it become worse. I lost contact with the 3 hour pace group and started feeling every pain. When, i reached mile 20 i was excited, because it is really the furthest i have been since 2004. I didn't take any gu's, because i was afraid my stomach would give out on me, and i would have to stop at every lavatory! But, i was running out of steam. Mile, 23..i was walking through the water stations and drinking the blue stuff and made sure it didn't splash all over my face and eyes. Everything, became a blur then. My feet couldn't take it anymore, my head was spinning and i stopped...walked! Soon, to be accompanied by the "panther" guy. We looked like 2 drunken sailors staggering along the road. I took my shoes off and ran to mile 25. I was about to toss my shoes in a bush, but fortunately realized that my chip was attached....oops!! I ran in my socks with my shoes in my hands...how embarassing. The old lady, in socks with pink shoes!!...staggering! It didn't feel any better, because the blisters were open at this point and hitting the hard road.....not very comfortable :(

When, i saw Gilbert at mile 25...i don't really remember what happened, but i saw him put my shoes back on and telling me they are coming!! Who??.....the British??? Well, the whole pack of 3:10's (Fletcher, Ivi) etc. came by with a sort of curious look. I took off and walked/jogged the last mile....the loud noises were really making me more dizzy. I finally, made it down Congress and finished. I was relieved. If it wasn't for the distance challenge i would've quit. I kept on looking at my watch and new i had a 10 minute lead, so i tried to just make it home before my time literally ran out. I definitely blew the last 6 miles....all, the hard work of the first 20 miles, went down the drain....very quickly!!!

Lesson learned....never tape my feet again, do take the gu's (no matter how nasty), what else?? the race really does start at mile 20. It will take me about a year to recover, but i think i might try it again next year :)

Oh, and for anyone that read this post....if you were out there on the course...thanks for cheering me on. I really appreciate it. I only made out a few...some on bikes, some close to the final stretch and i know there were plenty of others....i just couldn't focus too well, but thanks!!!