I feel like I'm still on that runner's high. I still feel like I'm dreaming. Surely I didn't run a marathon, did I? The former fat girl who felt like I would die after running a 5k, and only dreamed of running a marathon. Marathon's are for super fit, fast people, not me. I honestly felt a little silly for even having that dream. Shouldn't I dream of something more attainable, something more in my grasp? Something that might actually be possible? How many times have I doubted myself, because I thought running a marathon was impossible. Many times I even thought I should change the name of my blog because there was no way I could run a marathon.
But on Saturday I proved to myself that I CAN do it. No dream is too big or too silly. If there's something you want- go after it. I'm still not where I want to be physically, I'm not super fit yet, but I still did it. As they say, if I can do it, anyone can do it. That is absolutely true!
So, let's talk about this marathon!! Carmel is about 3 hours from me so Jeremy, my stepson, Jonah, and I left Friday night and stayed the night in Carmel.
I woke up at 5 am, got dressed and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and we were out the door! Before we left though, I woke up Jonah to tell him goodbye. He gave me the biggest hug ever and said "Katie, I'm SO proud of you." Oh, my heart!! And that is when the tears started!
I knew as soon as I started running I would warm up though!
They started out with a local pastor saying a prayer for Boston and then having a moment of silence. My heart was so heavy for them. Just thinking of all those runners, who had lined up that day, just like I was, chasing their dream, just like I was. And then so many of them didn't get to finish. Thinking of the wonderful spectators, who get us through these races, being injured so horrifically. Yep, the tears were flowing.
I believe there were around 4,000 runners. There was also an 8k and a half marathon, so once they turned off, the crowd thinned out considerably!
And we're off!
The course was advertised as flat and fast, and perfect for first timers. And it was! There were only a few small inclines. If you remember my SUPER hilly Run the Bluegrass half a few weeks ago, this course was a breeze compared to that!
Everyone told me not to set a time goal, just aim to finish and have a great race. But a part of me REALLY wanted to finish under 5 hours. I know I can run a half in 2:20, so I thought for sure that was possible.
The first 6 miles my average pace was around 10:30. I knew I could go faster, but also knew I needed to start out slower and pace myself, so I would still have some energy for the end!
At the 13 mile marker my time was 2:33. I knew then that I would be over 5 hours, but still hoping I could speed up a little bit the 2nd half, since I was purposefully going slower the first half.
But, that was not to be. :(
At mile 18, it started getting very difficult. I never once thought about quitting, I knew I would finish. But I could see that 5 hour goal slipping by. The next 3 miles were tough mentally. When I would think of how many hours I had left, that brought me down, so I would just think of it in terms of how many miles I had left, and then it didn't seem so bad.
I don't remember exactly which mile it was, but for quite a ways I was running with one of the pacers, 5:10 maybe, I don't remember. It was a lot of fun running with them. There were maybe 7 or 8 of us, everyone encouraging each other. They REALLY kept me going! But then I had to stop at a port-a-pottie, so I lost them.
At mile 21 I got a burst of energy and started feeling good again! (Maybe it was that 1 minute potty break that refreshed me!) I ran most of those miles at the end alone. Every once in awhile I could see someone in front of me, several times when I looked behind me I could see someone way in the distance. There were a few times I wondered if I had made a wrong turn because there was NO ONE around! But the course was marked very well, so I was pretty sure I was on the right path!
Finally I saw a sign that said "1/2 mile left". Guess what happened? Every ounce of energy I had- LEFT me. How crazy is that! I would think knowing that would energize me to give it my all! But I walked most of that last half mile, until I could see the finish line!
As I was getting closer I saw my honey and Jonah and my puppy, Charley. They were holding signs and cheering for me!
On the back of the sign he had written this sweet note. |
My Garmin actually died at the 26.2 mark at a time of 5:25, but the course was a little long at 26.5.
He wore that shirt just for me. :) |
Done!! I had a wonderful, absolutely perfect experience! During my training a lot of times my knees would hurt, once I injured my foot somehow, and once I injured my Achilles tendon.
But do you know, not ONE time during my marathon did I have any pain at all!! Of course I had the normal soreness, but my knees never hurt, my feet or ankles never hurt, I felt perfect! I can only thank my Jesus for that. I know a lot of people were praying for me, heck I was praying for me! I kept quoting the scripture "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me". (I had written that on my arm) I kept thinking of the tattoo I got on my ankle last summer, specifically for this day, "Yahweh my Strength".
I am SO thankful for my amazing husband, who encourages me in everything and never doubts that I can do anything I set my mind to. And I'm so thankful for all of you. All of your encouragement and words of advice- I can't even tell you how much they all meant to me. I'm convinced the running community is the best community in the world. Never have I felt so loved and accepted.
Tomorrow I'll be posting some marathon tidbits, things I ate, things I learned along the way, more details, as well as a few special friends who got me through this. If you have any questions for me, please ask them and I'll answer them on the blog tomorrow as well.
I love you guys!!
SO awesome!! Congrats on reaching for your dreams and achieving them. You are a marathoner!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal!!
DeleteCongrats!!! You did awesome!! So happy for you marathoner!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa!! :)
DeleteCongrats!! Completing a marathon is NO small task! You are awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny!
Deletewow!! I was very eager to read about your race since I'm running my 1st in Dec. You DID it!!! You must feel amazing!! What an accomplishment!! I hope to finish mine in 4 hrs but I know that it's a long shot and I should be thrilled to just finish it which really is my ultimate goal :=) I look forward to reading more about the race details such as what else you ate/drank during the race etc. Once again...super job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louisa! Since Dec is still a ways off, I have no doubt you can do it in 4 hours. Plenty of time to still train! Today's post tells about what I ate/drank. Thank you so much! :)
DeleteCongratulations! :) I'm SOOOO proud of you! I am so glad that you finished your marathon! How are you feeling today? Are you super sore? Did you use any gels or chews during the race?
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much, Carie! Answered your questions in today's post! Today I feel all back to normal, ready to run another one! ;)
DeleteWOW!!! Great job Katie. I am so impressed with you. My sister and I love to run together and she recently suggested doing a marathon. And my reaction was "no way! Marathons are for crazy intense people who are really fit and awesome. I can't do that!" BUT after reading this post, I am seriously considering doing one in October. Any tips and bits of advice would be fantastic!!! Great job, you are awesome!
ReplyDeletesincerelymesydney.blogspot.com
Thank you, Sydney! You could totally do it!! Start training now and you'll absolutely be ready by Oct.! That's so funny, that was my same reaction when I started thinking about doing a full. But it is possible!
DeleteCONGRATS!!!!! You did it!!!!! That is a super huge honor to proudly disply that 26.2 sticker on your car!!!! This weekend I ran a 5k and my family doctor was there and he summed it up for me, three things in a race...Start, Try not to die, and Finish!!! ha Very Proud of you! I have my Derby Half on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly Jo!! I was so excited to put that sticker on my car! Love what your dr said- that is so true! Lol! Can't wait to hear about the derby half! Now I wish I had signed up for it too. :)
DeleteWOOHOO! Congrats!! I'm SO proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phaedra!! :)
DeleteCongratulations! What a fantastic accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maureen!
DeleteCongrats! You did a great job. You look amazing and wear that medal well!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kim!
DeleteCongratulations marathoner!!!! Woot!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michel!
DeleteI am so excited and proud of you.....i am quite teary right now! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteAwe, thanks Gigi! Thanks for all your support! :)
DeleteCongratulations!!!! You must be so proud :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is an amazing feeling!
DeleteWay to go!!! You should be very proud. You'll soon find out when you run Chicago this fall that it is really nice to not be alone on the course - there is always someone in front of you, beside you, and behind you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl! That will be nice. I know there will be no chance of wondering if I'm lost in Chicago!
DeleteYou are amazing! I just cried my eyes out reading about you and the finish. I don't even know you and am so proud of you. :))You are a rock star in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, that's so sweet. Thank you SO much! :)
DeleteCongratulations! Crossing that marathon finish line is the culmination of so much more than just a race. You deserve to ride that runner's high for a while longer!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteCongrats! How awesome that none of that pesky soreness came up. Well, other than the general soreness, like you said, lol :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, thinking you were off course! I shouldn't laugh, I would be thinking the same thing!
If the course was long, are they correcting your times? Sometimes races do that! I am surprised it was long. Was it not USATF certified? Or did you miss some of the tangents?
Thanks, Kim! No, they aren't correcting the times. It was certified, and they are a top 30 BQ race. They had to make some last minute changes to the course because of flooding. They just said it was normal to be over a little bit. Who knows??!
DeleteCongrats! I've been waiting for this post! You are a marathoner!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecilia!! :)
DeleteCongrats! I hope I have as great a first marathon as you had! Can't wait for the tips..I need all the advice I can get :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam! I know your first one will be great too!
DeleteCongrats awesome job marathoner!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christa!
DeleteSo I have been waiting all day to come home and read this recap- makes me sound a bit stalker like, but I was just so excited for you and wanted to hear all about it. I am so glad that all the little pains you had went away and that your family was there to support you. You did amazing.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, I'll get some of your luck and my little pains won't flare up on Saturday either.
WOOHOO Marathoner!
Thanks, Abby! Believe me, I'm just as excited about yours this weekend!! I know you'll do awesome!!
DeleteI LOVE your recap!! It made me think of my first (and only so far) marathon!! I LOVE that you quoted scripture to keep going and I LOVE the note your honey wrote for you on the back of the sign! I read that and teared up!! You've got a keeper!!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS again you MARATHONER!!! :) You Rock girl!! Can't wait for the tidbits part! ;)
Thank you, Z! He def is a keeper! :) Tidbits up now!
DeleteYOU DID IT!! way to go girl! You are awesome!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! You were a HUGE help to me!!
DeleteCongratulations!! You did so awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori!
DeleteWay to go!!! Love your outfit and puppy, and your husband's note was so sweet!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tyly! It was a perfect day!
DeleteCongrats!! A great accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe!
DeleteCongratulations!! U did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gauri! :)
DeleteKatie, I am so proud of you!! You did a fabulous job. :-) woo hoo!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Clarinda! :)
DeleteCongratulations Katie! I am so proud to call you a friend! You looked adorable and you kicked butt! 26.2 is no joke! You will remember this the rest of your life:) xoxo
ReplyDeleteHopefully I'll be tight there with you soon, as soon as I can lop off about 40 more pounds!
Thank you, sweet friend! You'll be right back to it soon! I can't wait to read about you running again! xoxo
DeleteThis almost made me teary, and part of it was the sweet note from your husband. Congratulations, you are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie!! :)
DeleteCongratulations!!! I knew you could do it! It really sounds like a fantastic first marathon experience. Yay you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks girl! It really was perfect!!
DeleteWUHOO! Way to go! btw - is that a puppy!?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beka! Yep, that's my puppy Charley. He came to cheer me on! :)
DeleteCongratulations!!! I am just now catching up on reading so I know I am a few posts behind but wanted to comment and tell you how much I loved reading this. You are a marathoner!!!!! So, so amazing and you are an inspiration to so many people who think they can't do something. AWESOME! And I love your socks. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kristen!! I honestly still can't believe I'm a marathoner! It's just hard to believe! Thanks girl!
DeleteYou are a rock star, incredible, freaking amazing girl!! Our husbands are amazing guys for putting up with our crazy ideas of "fun"! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks lady!! That is so true, we got some amazing hubbys!
DeleteAmazing job, Katie!! You are such an inspiration to so many runners. The first marathon is TOUGH! Covering a distance your body has never done before... I remember those last few miles being pretty awful. But you pushed through! And I loved reading your post about all the support you had from friends, your dad, etc... so awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura! The last few miles were tough, but I knew there was no giving up, and it felt amazing crossing that finish line!
DeleteSorry I'm so late in commenting but CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a huge accomplishment!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suz! :)
DeleteJust found your blog trough curt pink runner, it's great! What an amazing running journey and well done on your first marathon, such an achievement! Look forward to following your journey x
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon this post. Awesome job :))) Great motivation for me since I'll be doing my first in January! You rock!
ReplyDeleteThank you Katherine! That's so exciting you'll be doing your first in Jan! You will love it. Good luck girl!!
Deletecoach outlet store
ReplyDeleterolex watches
ray ban sunglasses
herve leger dresses
cheap oakley sunglasses
herve leger
tods shoes
marc jacobs outlet
tory burch outlet
ray ban
polo ralph lauren outlet
oakley sunglasses
ray ban aviators
air max 90
abercrombie and fitch
burberry outlet
tory burch outlet
cheap jordans
nfl jerseys
kate spade outlet
chanel outlet online
hollister clothing
burberry outlet store
tory burch outlet online
kobe 9
kobe 9 elite
air jordan 4
coach outlet store
adidas outlet
ferragamo shoes
coach factory outlet
kobe bryant shoes
louis vuitton outlet
foamposite shoes
louis vuitton handbags
burberry outlet
kate spade outlet
prada handbags
oakley vault
toms shoes
yao0407
zd0729
ReplyDeletefootball shirts
mulberry,mulberry handbags,mulberry outlet,mulberry bags,mulberry uk
camisetas futbol baratas
burberry outlet
nike running shoes
san antonio spurs jerseys
swarovski crystal
burberry outlet online
barcelona soccer jersey
coach outlet
coach outlet store
rolex watches
air jordan 13
lebron james shoes
nike huarache
celtics jersey
peter konz jersey,paul worrilow jersey,prince shembo jersey
arizona cardinals jerseys
evening dresses outlet
mbt shoes
tory burch shoes
true religion sale
custom mlb jerseys
the north face outlet
air max 2014
manchester united football shirts
nike air max
ralph lauren,ralph lauren uk,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren polo
michael kors handbags
nike air max 2014
coach factorty outlet
ReplyDeletecoach factory outlet
michael kors purse
true religion outlet
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton
louis vuitton
michael kors outlet online
louis vuitton handbags
oakley sunglasses wholesale
tory burch outlet
louis vuitton purses
cheap nfl jerseys
michael kors
louis vuitton handbags
instyler curling iron
nike roshe run
louis vuitton handbags
jordan 13
oakley sunglasses
abercrombie
ugg australia
cheap jerseys
ray ban eyeglasses
nike trainers
pandara jewelry
toms outlet store
2015828yuanyuan
ReplyDeleteطرق كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
طرق الكشف عن تسربات المياه التقليدية من الطرق السيئة التى تحتاج الى الكسر والتبليط وتحتاج الى الكثير من الوقت والجهد والاموال لذلك قررت شركتنا ان تعتمد على افضل الالات والاجهزة المميزة التى تساعد فى التعرف على مكان التسرب من خلال افضل الاجهزة فيقوم العاملين بالتحرك بالجهاز المميز والتى يساعد فى التعرف على مكان التسرب فى اقل وقت ممكن فالجهاز يصدر ذبذبات يساعد فى القيام بالتعرف على مكان التسرب
تعد شركة الاول افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالاحساء
- شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالقطيف - و افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالدمام - وافضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالجبيل - و افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
افضل شركة نظافة بالرياض - و شركة كشف تسربات المياة بالمدينة المنورة
واسعارها في متناول الجميع ومن الهام التاكد دائما من خلو منزلك من تسربات المياه حتى لا تتعرض لمشاكل مثل انهيار وتصدع المبانى الاول افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض تستخدم اجهزه الكترونية اكشف التسرب بالذبذبات وتغطى كافة مناطق الرياض فهى افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه شرق الرياض
___________
كشف تسربات المياه بالاحساء - - و افضل كشف تسربات المياه بالدمام - وافضل كشف تسربات المياه بالجبيل
- و افضل كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
- و كشف تسربات بالمدينة المنورة
كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
نوفر افضل اجهزة كشف تسربات المياه وبدقة عاليه يتم تحديد مكان التسرب واصلاح السبب بدون تخريب
timberland boots
ReplyDeletenike air max
longchamp bags
nfl jerseys wholesale
hollister clothing
oakley vault
polo ralph lauren outlet
longchamp handbag
birkenstock sandals
longchamp outlet
canada goose outlet online
yeezy boost 350
adidas pure boost
cheap nike shoes
michael kors handbags
prada outlet
supra for sale
prada outlet store
christian louboutin shoes
oakley sunglasses
ralph lauren pas cher
canada goose outlet
polo outlet
converse shoes
ugg outlet
tiffany and co
michael kors outlet online
birkenstock sandals
louboutin
nike blazer
ray bans
tiffany and co jewelry
converse sneakers
michael kors outlet online
abercrombie and fitch outlet
zhenwei20160810
michael kors outlet store
ReplyDeletecheap oakley sunglasses
packers jerseys
green bay packers jerseys
baltimore ravens jerseys
ferragamo shoes
michael kors handbags wholesale
cheap ray bans
los angeles lakers jerseys
coach outlet store
oakland raiders jerseys
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet clearance
michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags outlet
jordan shoes
nike blazer
adidas nmd runner
cheap ray bans
armani exchange
converse shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
ReplyDeletenike air huarache
michael kors outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
ugg boots
ugg outlet
polo ralph lauren
coach factory outlet
texans jerseys
cheap michael kors handbags
شركة نقل اثاث ببريدة
ReplyDelete