General Jackassery

You can now add Marathon Finisher to the list on my athletics resume. Yes, you read that right; on March 25, 2007 I completed the ING Georgia Marathon. I’m sure Sarah will be posting pictures soon, but I felt like I should say something about it here.

I was not ready for this. I suffered from several bad ideas.

Bad Idea #1) I have completed two Half-Marathons since January, but 13.1 miles was my longest run until yesterday. When I set out to run this Marathon I had hoped to be able to finish in less than 4 hours 45 minutes. Unfortunately, I suffered a little bit of tendonitis in my right knee not too long after my second Half-Marathon. I did a 4 miler 2 days after the second “Half” and was going to run 9 third day after. I got through 4.5 miles and decided to stop. I didn’t want to inflame the situation anymore. I then ended up traveling for the next two weeks and skipping the 16 and 20 mile runs I was supposed to do. I also didn’t run AT ALL during those two weeks. When I got back from travel I ran 2.1, 5.5 and 2.6 miles the week of the Marathon and then had 3 days between any running and the Marathon.

Bad Idea #2) Sarah and I went back to Pilates for the first time in three months on the Thursday before the Marathon. I started feeling my ab muscles at mile 2. At mile 3 I started to feel my shoulder. All that pain would subside, or be replaced by new pains.

Bad Idea #3) I’ve been eating poorly lately and I decided it was time to get back on my LA Weight Loss program. I started back on Wednesday and instead of Carbo Loading before the Marathon, I think I was Carbo-Unloading.

Bad Idea #4) you should always eat a nice large healthy meal the night before the Marathon. You should not eat food with rich sauces and you should not eat large chunks of Chocolate Mouse Mousse (though after I ate it I felt like I had mice running around in my stomach) Cake the night before. This is even truer if you’re not used to eating that type of food. I was up until after midnight taking care of “Business.”

Bad Idea #5) you should try to run on both sides of the road from time to time. This will ensure that your feet toughen up evenly. If you’re used to running against traffic all of the time you’re feet will be used to landing on the crown of the road in such a way that your left foot will take more of a beating than your right foot. If you’re used to that and you switch sides of the road for let’s say 10 of 26.2 miles. Your right foot will develop a much larger blister than your left.

Bad Idea #6) Swerving to run underneath a hose pipe to cool off and accidentally stepping in a puddle and soaking your shoes.

So, you taking into account all the bad ideas and you’re sure to see that my only desire for this Marathon was to finish. What I can’t begin to explain is how bad I wanted to finish because I would have to be able to explain how emotionally tired I was and how much pain my body was in.

I ran the first 20 miles in a little under 4 hours. I spent probably half of miles 18 and 19 walking because I was starting to cramp. By the time I crossed the time keeper’s mats at mile 20 I was not capable of running anymore. Every time I started to job, both hamstrings and both calves would start to cramp. So I walked or as Sarah assured me I trudged. I trudged by all of the wonderful people who called my name and shouted words of encouragement. I never wanted to stop; I just wanted it to end. I had my sights so set on getting the stupid medal for crossing that finish line I could not think of anything but that medal. I told myself I’m not a quitter and at mile 23.5 I lost it emotionally. I was torn between wanting this to be over so incredibly bad and not wanting to stop. Even though I was walking I lost control of my breathing and started to tear-up.

I can’t begin to thank Sarah, and Amy and Brian enough for their support. They ran, walked, hitch-hiked, taxied and subwayed their way around so they could cheer me on every couple of miles and in the end when I had nothing left emotionally or physically they walked with me and gave me the mental support that I needed to finish strong. With 4 blocks left in the race, I mustered what little bit of courage I had left and trotted across the finish line.

It wasn’t what I envisioned. I was elated that I finished a marathon like I thought I would be. I wanted nothing more than to just sit down.

Well I do one again? The answer to that question is an absolute unqualified yes! I will run the Rocket City Marathon here in Huntsville in December. I will finish the Rocket City Marathon in less than 4 hours and I will run the whole way. I will be prepared and the list of Bad Ideas above will be history.

For now: Brian, I wouldn’t have done this if it were not for you. Thank you for your support, encouragement and help. Amy, I couldn’t have wished for a better sister! Thank you for being there and cheering me on. Sarah, I love you with all my heart, I couldn’t done this without you.