2009 National Marathon to
Fight Breast Cancer
~In the Life of a First time Marathoner~
6,000 runners and sponsors raise $708,095 in the fight for a Cure!
Details of Course:
The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (aka 26.2 w/ Donna) Website:
Week Before Race Day
After about 3 months of up and down, last minute, long distance training, my body was shutting down.For me being one that has never been able to run well,putting in the mileage I was weekly, my body decided it couldnt handle it anymore, and decided to pick up a cold. It was 5 days before, and the aching was setting it. And it got worse before it got better. Luckily, I was able to take a few days off of work and just rest. However, this didnt help my nervousness. Having gone on a short vacation to Tampa the week before, this was now going to be 2 weeks straight without ANY running at all. How was my body going to react??.....if I even got over this cold!?! Three days prior and I was weak. Barely being able to get out of bed to take a shower, I was taking the extra strength medicine, on top of Zicam, and echinacea, vitamins, etc...I was desparate to regain my strength. People were starting to doubt me, saying it may not be a good idea to run at all. WHAT?!? Months of determination (actually a year...I knew right after I did the Half last year, I wanted to try the full), months of training, endless hours spent at the beach back roads, EVERY Saturday dedicated to hours on end of running, giving up my social life....there was no way I was giving in. I wasnt going to let this little cold stop me.
Day Before Race Day-February 14, 2009
I believe my determination scared away the cold. The day before, I had to stop taking the medicine so I could regain some strength, and I was feeling much better...just a little stuffiness. After hitting up the race Expo to grab my shirt and some souvenirs, I headed to meet Michelle for a pasta filled night to build up my energy. Problem was....it was Valentines day. ugh. Craving Olive Garden, we headed by there, and burst out laughing as we saw the huge group of people waiting outside. After driving by a few other restaurants, we stopped at a pretty empty (at least the lot) Applebees. Theyve got to have pasta, right???....wrong. Well, at least not on the dinner menu with red sauce. After the waitress put in a special request for me, I was able to endulge in some good food and excellent desert.
Watching the weather all week, the rain percentage had increased to 70% with a high of the low 60s. I had made a tank top with my website name on it, as well as a tutu of pink ribbons with peoples names from those that have donated and requested I wear a name. It was a beautiful tutu and I was super excited to wear it. However, I was very undecisive on shorts/tank or pants/long sleeves. Was I going to be hot or cold in the rain? Was it even going to rain that much? Should I even wear what I made, or was it just going to be a huge mess after smearing in the rain? These are the questions that kept me up all night except for 3 hours.
Race Day-February 15, 2009
Three thirty AM came super quick. It was a restless night. My stomach was in knots. There was no way I could hide my nervousness....pacing around my apartment, I coudnt think straight. I quickly got dressed (decided on pants and the long sleeve race shirt), packed my bag, did some meditating to clear my mind, and was out the door. I was lucky that I didn't have to wait the next 4 hours by myself. Elizabeth had introduced me to a friend of hers, Julia, who was running as well. She, as well, was going to start alone. We meet at the shuttle at UNF. I managed to down a banana and part of a power bar and a lot of gatorade. We arrived at the start at about 5. Two hours til line up. Julia was great company. Having being more of an experience runner than I, I learned some great tips. She has an awesome personality, and definitly kept me perked up for the start.
After several trips to the porta potty, it was finally line up time. They lined us up this year by color (based on what time you put on your registration that you thought you would finish). Being a run/walker, I was in the last group. As long as I finish, I thought. That was my goal. I can be the last one, and I would be happy. As long as I dont have to give up.
The line up took a pretty long time, but it was great to see all the people, and what they were wearing. Many have shirts made that had peoples names they were running for. I even saw a whole family out there, the daughter wearing "I run for my mom", the father wearing "I run for my wife", the mom wearing "I run for me"...all of them saying she was a 10 year survivor. It was things like that, that kept me motivated. I did notice that there were also many people that were wearing shorts and tanks. The sky was grey, but no rain. I was nervous if I made the right decision on clothing. However, it was still very cool. As long as it remained overcast, I should be fine.
After the Star Spangled Banner, the gun was fired, and we were off. It was a cool start...music blaring, and a jumbo tron out where we could watch ourselves run through the start...also pink confetti was everywhere! There were already a bunch of spectators out...this was going to be a good run!
Mile 1-3...going down JTB over the intercoastal was pretty good running. I saw several familiar faces...it was good to see people come out for such a good cause. Makes me feel, that maybe I may have had an impact over the past few years...getting people educated, and aware of such a cause, makes me feel like Ive done my job.
Mile 3 my cold decided to make its appearance...(for those that are weak stomached, I would skip to the next paragraph)...My sinuses had been constantly running the previous week, and well, running definitely clears this up. I got this very warm, thick feeling in my throat...I panicked for a moment, because I thought it tasted as blood. I knew I would have to go to the side to get it out of my throat. It was so big, there was no way I would be able to just swallow it. So there I was, at the top of the beach exit, bent over the side of the median, hacking up a baseball. But boy, did I feel great afterwards.
There were so many spectators out for the whole beginning of the race, that I really felt great running the whole first half of the marathon. My timing was good, I was pushing myself faster than the regular 1x1 pace...but then I kept remembering the last words of advice over the loud speaker..."dont push too hard in the beginning...its better to finish, than push too hard and have to stop".
Making it over to the beach at Mile 6-8 was the best feeling of the race. I was so worried about the sand being too soft..but it wasnt. It was hard, and I am sure the rain for the previous night helped pack it as well. I was able to pass several people on the beach. The scenery was beautiful and peaceful. The skies were still grey, there was no rain, and you could tell the sun wanted to come out. What a beautiful day! Making it to the turn around point for the half marathoners, and feeling so much better than I did the year before, I sprinted under the pier...there was no turning back....I WAS going to finish the full marathon!
Mile 8-12 were the roads that I had travelled many a times during training. It felt great to see the familiar families that live there, out on the street supporting us! The neighborhood of Ocean Way especially stuck out to me...so many families out on their lawns...and so many kids handing out popsciles, and drinks. I was amazed at how many people set up their own tables of 'supplies' for us runners. And I would like to personally think the lady that had the table of Asprin and chocolate! =) The neighborhood is beautiful, with lots of big trees and shade....the sun had come out by this point.
Mile 13-14 I start getting cramps. I was several GUs in, and drinking water every 2 tables, and vitamin water every other. Having not eaten much, I wasnt understanding where this was coming from, but I knew there was no way that I could ignore it for another 12 miles. All I have to say about that experience, was it was not fun to have to take off that tutu and energy pak in a hurry!!
After spening over 5 minutes in the porta potty, I started to panick. I did not see that many people on the course. Was I already at the back of the pack??? Was I really going that slow? I didnt feel like I was being passed much. I kept asking the cops, and the volunteers if they knew how many more were behind. No one knew. I had to pick up pace.
My dad had planned to meet at about mile 19, so I kept saying, almost there, almost there...seeing a familiar face would help raise my spirits! I have to say, that taking my phone on the course with me, was the best decision was well...several texts, and voicemails from friends was the best feeling in the world.
Mile 15-16, my knee started to give so I started walking a lot more. I had problems with my knees back at the Atlanta 3 Day. My running training was pretty good, no serious problems with my knees. They would be alittle sore afterwards, or one would be sore for a bit for about a mile, but go away. However, this pain was a sharp, severe pain that I hadnt felt since The 3 Day. It hurt so bad, I stopped in my tracks. Was 2 weeks of not running, really going to do me in??
I must have stopped about 4 or 5 times between mile 16-19. Luckily, I found empty chairs along the route. I debated back and forth on wrapping it, but never past a medical tent. At mile 19, I debated quitting. On the verge of tears, from being scared of the pain, a lady had just past me. She turned to me and said "Now is the time for the determination from within". I knew what she had meant...the runners were so spread out now at this point, I would look back and there was only about 1 here or there. The spectators were thinning out now too. You would look ahead and the long empty road, and know how much further you had to go push through. It is a decision you have to make deep down.
I was told a few times that Donna and Tim were just a few minutes ahead of me. Knowing that, gave me a boost of motivation. I couldnt be that far behind! Mile 18, the sun was out, the sky was clear, the temperature had raised, and I was dying. WHAT?!? A beautiful beach day, and Im complaining??! Was definitely not a good idea to wear pants and long sleeves! (next year I will be wearing shorts and tank no matter what!). The long stretch of those couple miles were right in the sun, no shade. At this point, I also was upset I didnt wear my camelpak. I had to carry a bottle water in hand (thanks again to the local neighbors that set up their own table!)However, the feeling of the water sloshing back and forth in the bottle, somehow made me nauseious. Okay, I am sure it was the 10 paks of GU, lack of food, the crazy amount of running, the lack of proper training, blah blah blah. But I was definitely wanting to throw up. I contemplated sticking my finger down my throat, but wasnt sure if anything would even come up, and then I would be even more dehydrated. I just had to keep moving. The pain in my knee was bareable (now that the asprin settled in), and I knew that the faster I ran, the faster this would be over.
Mile 20 I could see my dad and family friends in the distance. I wanted to give up, but knew I couldnt. I was so excited to see them all, I just wanted to stop and stay a while. I bent over to stretch, and my legs began shaking uncontrollably. Spectators yelled at my dad to get me going, not to stop or it would get worse. I continued on.
Mile 21 my dad and friends show up again. I guess they could see the pain in my face! Al, a long time family friend, even ended up walking/running with me for almost a mile further! It definitely made the time go by, and made me felt like it really mattered to more than just me, if I finished. There was no way I was giving up now!
Mile 23-I make it up JTB....this was also one of the best feelings, because I could almost taste the end! I decided to listen to some voicemails for some motivation (thanks vicky!!). I made a quick phone call to Michelle (we had planned the night before, that the last 3 miles would be the scariest and I would need support). After some great words, I continued on JTB. The downhills helped me pick up some speed. However, when I turned the corner and saw the 'bridge', I panicked once again. Why did it seem so big??!! I think I was hallucinating, because I have driven over that bridge several times, and it is not big at all. But today it was!
Mile 25 I see Dr Edith Perez and her group. It looks like she is struggling, as she bends over the bridge, and tries to sit down. I make sure everything is okay, and continue down the bridge. I run the whole way to the finish line. I am surprised there are so many people still out cheering us on! The jumbo tron is out and we can watch ourselves cross the finish line...that was definitely a cool feeling! I look at my watch, 26.2 has already passed!..I finish in 6:03...one full hour faster than I predicted the year before! (total of 26.6)....Here I come Naples!!