This past Sunday started bright and early....with a 4:45 wake up all to voluntarily run 26.2 miles for "fun." Though it sounds somewhat crazy and at times over the past couple of months I've questioned my sanity the marathon really couldn't have gone much better.John was a champ and dropped me off close to the start line at 6am. I immediately went to find a porta-pottie along with the rest of the 20,000 runners. I waited in line for 30 minutes and nearly missed the official start!!! I was only slightly freakin' out, but I kept reminding myself that the race was chip timed, so the my race started whenever I crossed the starting line. Luckily, I did make it to my corral with about 2 minutes to go. The race started and we slowly started to walk up towards the line...with so many racers it takes a while before you even can cross the starting line to begin. Once we started running I kind of got a little choked up (this usually happens to me at the end of long runs not the beginning!?!?). I think it was reflecting over the past 5 months of training and how much work went into it...not to mention all the other people around me that had gone on a similar journey. I thought of it as a culmination of positive energy all directed towards one immense task. Anyways, all those sentimental thoughts were out the door when I came up on the first band rockin' it out at 6:30 in the morning. I was definitely PUMPED and had to keep telling myself to ease off the pace and not to go out too hard. My plan was to go out slower than normal in hopes of having some reserve energy to pull from at the end.
The first 6 miles went through downtown and went by really fast....lots of spectators out cheering, lots of scenery to look at. The next 6 miles went up the 163 and back down to the 163 to the Mission Valley area. I started to pick up the pace a bit here...however I was not thrilled with running on the highway b/c it was slanted and uneven = not fun. At the half I realized I was right on pace and gave myself a personal high five and kept on truckin'. Onward North to Clairemont and Mission Bay. At mile 17 I saw a coworker who jumped in and ran about 1/2 mile with me. Then at 18 I saw the ladies: Sarah, Mags, and Liz. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop in chat but had to just shout, yeah, wave and keep movin'. At 19 I saw my friend Erin from work and again I somehow found some more energy, kept my head up and reflected at how good I felt for this late in the race.
Well, about mile 22 it hit me....not really "The Wall" but just that feeling of "OK, I'm ready to be done now". I took what I could of my last GU and reminded myself to finish strong and that I didn't train all this time to slack off at the end. Luckily, my friend from work, Dave, (also a big time marathoner) was waiting for me at mile 23 and ran the last 3 miles with me. He kept me on pace and took me all the way through the finish...had he not been there I probably would have nearly started crying again, but I kept telling myself, "Karen you cannot cry in front of your coworker...how awkward would that be!!?!?". Once I caught a glimpse of the finish line I felt much more mentally stable and kicked it in for the last few 100 yards....finishing in with a 20 minute PR of 3:52!! And beating my goal of breaking the four hour mark.
Finishing was great...walking felt like the best thing in the world (well at least better than running)...and the water and oranges tasted like heaven. I met up with John and the family reunion area and we treked it home for a lazy afternoon on the couch, naps, and major calorie consumption. Thanks to friends and family for all your encouragement and support over the past few months...you guys are the BEST! Let me know if anyone is up for Rockin' and Rollin' it next year San Diego style!?!?
6:00 am, John dropped me off in Hillcrest. I'm in my Asics race day gear featuring a screen printed Kashi jersey. Yeah...I was sponsored.
Post Race....this is one tired girl. It was great to get my shoes off and stretch out my arches. I've been battling some plantar fascitis over the past couple of weeks.
John & I leaving the race.
John, being the rock star of a boyfriend that he is, had good luck flowers sent to the house while he was out climbing on Saturday. Awww.......
