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May 15, 2005
Reason for Not Blogging
There was a very good reason that I was not updating my blog much last week. After this entry, my attempts at remaining anonymous will probably be ka-put. I ran a marathon today. I decided about two weeks ago to try this race and see how it went. We ran the relay of it last year, but we were not going to be able to put together a relay team, so we decided to enter it as a "look and see" kind of race. I didn't blog about it because I didn't want any advice or wishing of luck (which I really do appreciate, but I was trying to keep this as low-key as possible). I didn't really tell anyone about the race. I purposely avoided the track on Thursday night so that I would not get any of the last minute advice. The cat got out of the bag early last week when the final entries were posted on the event website.
So, Thursday I met with J before his youth team had practice. I ran a very easy 25 minutes and called it a day. Friday I did not run at all. Yesterday I ran for 20 minutes with a very slow man who was very excited when he figured out I was doing the marathon. The weather yesterday would have been perfect-low 50s and sunny.
Yesterday I headed down to the race to pick up my packet. It is only about ten minutes away from home. The first signal that things were not going to be great was that it got hot yesterday. Much warmer than called for. The second problem was that the temperature was not supposed to drop much overnight. Other than that, I did not do anything during the day. I took an ice bath shortly before going to bed. I slept well, even waking up way before the alarm was set to go off. When I woke up and saw that it was already 67 degrees at 5:45, I knew that today could get very ugly.
The Delaware Marathon is a four lap course. If you want to know the history of this race, there is an article on it in the most recent Runner's World. It is not a pretty course, there are much prettier parts of Delaware, but the reason for this course is explained in the article. I met up with M who was going to start with me and we agreed (again) to be conservative. That pretty much went out the door right away.
The course was changed slightly from last year to take out an annoying out and back towards the finish of each lap. To make up the extra distance, they made a "victory loop" of a mile before the first lap. We definitely went out way faster than planned and kept trying to back off, but we were holding under 7 minute pace for at least the first ten miles. After the first lap, he asked me how I felt and I said good, but that was probably jinxing myself. Towards the end of the second lap I was not feeling so hot. I was leading the first two laps and had a cyclist with me so that I would not get lost?!
At the start of the third lap, another M jumped in with us. He carried a bottle of water and bottle of diluted Gatorade for me. Around halfway through the third lap I started to feel really bad and really weak. At the turnaround on this lap, I was passed by another woman. I passed her right back and tried to get myself back into the race. About five minutes later, I had to stop, I was really dizzy and knew that I did not need to do anything to harm myself. I was giving myself a really hard time at this point, I thought she looked so good and I really wanted to win. M said, there are eight miles left, she could fall apart. I responded with I am already falling apart and she looks so good. For the rest of that lap I kept saying that I was not going to finish. M said, that's fine, but you've got to at least finish this lap. I don't know when, but I finally said that I am going to finish this damn thing and I don't care how slow I run.
On the fourth lap, M kept tabs on how close I was to the other woman and let me know what she was doing. He also filled my water bottle multiple times with water from the water stops. As the lap went on, her lead was shrinking quickly. It started at 40 seconds and the next thing I knew it was down to 24 seconds and then we passed her! A little bit before the turnaround where she had passed me the lap before, I passed her right back! After the turnaround she was falling off really quickly. By 24 miles my quads were shot, my right foot was burning up and I just wanted to be done. I was still concerned that she would come back and pass me again. M kept tabs on her for me and could not see her. As we hit the 26 mile mark, he sent the cyclist up to tell them I was almost there. Then he told me that I earned today and it was a tough race. I crossed the finish line in 3:14:58, not the kind of time I was hoping for, but all things considered, one that I am very happy with. It was hot and humid and there was not shade on the course.
My parents were there and were thrilled, J was happy, everyone I know was happy. M told J that if he ever doubted how tough I am, I am much tougher than he would have ever known. I'm afraid of what I said in my interviews after the race because I was pretty delirious. I have a big blood blister on one foot and a big blister on the toe of my other foot.
I just wanted to go home, but I had to wait for the awards. My stomach was not feeling so great and I had an accident during one of the interviews. I have felt like I could vomit, but have not been able to. My back feels out of whack and it hurts to take a deep breath. I've been laying around, but I was so hot that I sat in a cold bath tub to bring my core body temperature down. I have not been able to eat anything yet, but will be trying to drink a milkshake soon.
So there it is...the reason that I have not been updating my blog.
Posted by Blondie at May 15, 2005 02:55 PM
Comments
Congratulations! Some people could try their whole lives and never win a marathon. And it's amazing that you were able to battle back and race -- that is so incredibly hard to do in a marathon, as you very well know.
I completely understand wanting to keep this low-key. Good for you. I hope you're feeling better soon!
Posted by: Alison at May 15, 2005 05:28 PM
Congrats on your big win - in such dramatic fashion! I hope your recovery goes well!
Posted by: Beth at May 15, 2005 06:12 PM
what a race! it sounded tough! congratulations...! this is a great addition to your running resume and just a wonderful experience. i hope your recovery goes well!!! :)
Posted by: Liz at May 15, 2005 08:03 PM
truly amazing. wow.
Posted by: Audrey at May 15, 2005 09:50 PM
What a race-- congratulations! Hope you're getting some well-deserved rest...
Posted by: Sarah at May 16, 2005 09:44 AM
That is great Blondie!! Congratulations. The marathon is such a tough race, I am amazed at your ability to pull through even though you did not feel too well.
Way to go!!
Posted by: Barb at May 16, 2005 11:43 AM
Congratulations! What a fabulous win and story. You're a tough cookie to suck up the pain and discomfort to win the race. Enjoy your recovery. You've earned it!
Posted by: Leilani at May 16, 2005 01:13 PM
Congratulations! What an experience, you are one tough competitor, I'm so happy you won! Hope you're feeling better.
Posted by: Nanda at May 17, 2005 11:34 AM