Health & Fitness
steenie41
member
Miles 9-15 are somewhat of an uneventful blur to me, except for getting to see my amazing husband and friends, cheering me on just after mile 13. This gave me a much needed boost, as I was getting bored and wanting a break. Overall in this stretch, I followed my game plan, glancing at my watch to try to pick up the pace a little. I was able to get my overall pace down to 9:05min/mile, which was the lowest I ever managed (my goal was an 8:48 overall pace/mile). By mile 15.5, I was feeling tired and wondering if I could force myself to finish this. I couldn't get out of my head, thinking "11 more miles is a LONG way." I took my first walk break just before the 16 mile mark and wasn't sure I was going to make it. I picked up my pace again and realized that I had to make it and I WOULD make it. The rest of the race was pretty difficult for me. I kept trying to remember why I was running and let the sounds of the crowd, especially the "GO TEAMS" and signs with "In Memory Of" on the sidelines carry me through, but I was TIRED. I felt dehydrated and weak and mentally drained.
I got to see my husband and friends again around mile 21 and I pulled off a smile for them, though I felt like I was falling apart. I was getting frustrated. I wanted a break. I wanted to cry. I wanted to sleep! I took a lot of very short walk breaks between mile 19 and the end of the race. I watched my overall pace slip from 9:09min/mile to 9:15 min/mile (with my overall goal of breaking the 4:00 mark, I needed a 9:09 m/m or less pace to make that goal). I knew by mile 21 that I wasn't going to break the 4 hour mark and I didn't even care. I just wanted to be DONE running. At the 26 mile mark, Coach Rick reappeared and I couldn't have been happier to see him. I tried to smile and say hi, but I felt like I couldn't form words. Rick helped me over the last two "little" hills that were placed just before the finish "swine." He was running faster than I thought I could keep up with, but my pace for my last mile was around 9m/m.
I couldn't have been happier to cross the finish line. 4:05:12 was my offcial time. I think I managed a smile for the camera, and I am sure that I threw my arms up in celebration. The girls actually got a video of me in that last 0.1 of a mile, and I don't look like I am going to fall over (but they are zoomed out pretty far)! I got my medal and I was desperate to find DH. I was overwhelmed with emotion: happiness, frustration, exhaustion, accomplishment. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was breathing, but I think I was wheezing a little... thankfully that went away pretty quickly. Everything on me hurt. I was afraid to sit down in fear that I wouldn't be able to get back up. DH found me at the TNT finisher's tent. He ran up to me so he could get a second with me before the girls caught up. There is a picture to prove it. I was crying and happy and basically a mess, but SO happy to see them. I assured them that I am not sure why I ran a marathon, but I was certain I wouldn't do it again anytime soon.
It is now May 4th and I am planning when my second attempt to go sub-4 should be. I know I can do it on a flat course with better hydration, keeping an even pace
Running is a beautiful, crazy addiction that I hope to have for a long time. I RAN A MARATHON! I AM A MARATHON FINISHER. I want to tattoo it on my forehead so everyone asks me about it. I want to wear my medal and never take it off. I am proud of myself and grateful that I accomplished something I never imagined I would do.
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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My first marathon: Race Report
This is long... just a warning.
Flying Pig Marathon: Cincinnati 5/2/10
The race expo was a fun experience that was overwhelming and crowded. I was excited to take some pictures of winged pigs and score some cool running swag. I was most excited about my pig-related purchases: a running hat with the words "marathon finisher" printed on it, a winged pig travel coffee mug, a window sticker for my car with the pig, and a 26.2 magnet for my car.... because I was about to become one of those people... you know? The one's crazy enough to believe that running 26 miles for fun is a good idea? With my "marathon finisher" hat in hand, that was going to be me in less than 24 hours. Wow.
Got back to the hotel to find that 5 of my girlfriends surprised me by showing up to cheer me on. AWESOME!
The Team In Training Inspiration Dinner at the hotel was very motivational and emotional. This dinner left me feeling a huge sense of accomplishment and pride as a member of TNT and so proud of myself for embarking on this journey and reaching my fundraising goal. After dinner, a quick team photo, some final thoughts from the coaches; DH and I headed to the bar for a quick drink with the girls before bed. (I had a lovely cocktail of water on the rocks).
The night before the race I spent most of my time tossing and turning in bed, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before getting up at 4:15 to make sure I wasn't late for TNT check in, another photo, and the start of the race. I got a couple hours of very unsettled sleep, and during this time I had a marathon nightmare. Not very relaxing and 4:15 came much too soon. I shot out of bed, got dressed, pouted over the fact that it was pouring outside, had my banana and peanut butter, and headed downstairs to meet with the team. There was plenty of nervous energy buzzing through the lobby as everyone gathered on the stairs for one more group photo. DH came down with me to see me off to the start.
The lightening flashed through the sky and rain continued to pour; all of the runners gathered inside Paul Brown Stadium to avoid the weather, and the race director came on the loud speaker to let us know that the race would go off, without delay at 6:30, despite the weather. I lined up with the crowd, trying to get close to the 4:00 pace group, but could only push through the crowd to get just behind the 5:00 pace group. The starting horn sounded and from that moment on, there was no turning back.
It took 10 minutes to get to the starting line, walking around trash bags that had been discarded in the middle of the road. I kept telling myself over and over in the first few miles: "don't start out too fast, 26 miles is a long way and there is no reason to burn out now." I was happy with myself that I followed my own mantra and managed to keep my pace to just over 9min/mile for the first several miles. In and out of Kentucky we went, around the industrial side of Cincinnati by the river, back up into downtown. After downtown was my most dreaded part of the course: THE HILLS. Miles 5-9 in the Pig are known for being some of the toughest in the country. Coach Rick from TNT was there to run with me as I climbed the second hill. I felt great, keeping a good pace up the hills, and not losing much on my overall time. As I watched Elvis singing on the sidewalk, I knew I was almost in Hyde Park, with a lovely view of the Ohio River, and with the hills a fading memory in my first marathon. Little did I know, all of the spectators yelling "you did great, its all down hill from here," were lying. Cinicinnati is a hilly place, and that is not something to be underestimated, no matter what kind of running experience you have.
Got back to the hotel to find that 5 of my girlfriends surprised me by showing up to cheer me on. AWESOME!
The Team In Training Inspiration Dinner at the hotel was very motivational and emotional. This dinner left me feeling a huge sense of accomplishment and pride as a member of TNT and so proud of myself for embarking on this journey and reaching my fundraising goal. After dinner, a quick team photo, some final thoughts from the coaches; DH and I headed to the bar for a quick drink with the girls before bed. (I had a lovely cocktail of water on the rocks).
The night before the race I spent most of my time tossing and turning in bed, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before getting up at 4:15 to make sure I wasn't late for TNT check in, another photo, and the start of the race. I got a couple hours of very unsettled sleep, and during this time I had a marathon nightmare. Not very relaxing and 4:15 came much too soon. I shot out of bed, got dressed, pouted over the fact that it was pouring outside, had my banana and peanut butter, and headed downstairs to meet with the team. There was plenty of nervous energy buzzing through the lobby as everyone gathered on the stairs for one more group photo. DH came down with me to see me off to the start.
The lightening flashed through the sky and rain continued to pour; all of the runners gathered inside Paul Brown Stadium to avoid the weather, and the race director came on the loud speaker to let us know that the race would go off, without delay at 6:30, despite the weather. I lined up with the crowd, trying to get close to the 4:00 pace group, but could only push through the crowd to get just behind the 5:00 pace group. The starting horn sounded and from that moment on, there was no turning back.
It took 10 minutes to get to the starting line, walking around trash bags that had been discarded in the middle of the road. I kept telling myself over and over in the first few miles: "don't start out too fast, 26 miles is a long way and there is no reason to burn out now." I was happy with myself that I followed my own mantra and managed to keep my pace to just over 9min/mile for the first several miles. In and out of Kentucky we went, around the industrial side of Cincinnati by the river, back up into downtown. After downtown was my most dreaded part of the course: THE HILLS. Miles 5-9 in the Pig are known for being some of the toughest in the country. Coach Rick from TNT was there to run with me as I climbed the second hill. I felt great, keeping a good pace up the hills, and not losing much on my overall time. As I watched Elvis singing on the sidewalk, I knew I was almost in Hyde Park, with a lovely view of the Ohio River, and with the hills a fading memory in my first marathon. Little did I know, all of the spectators yelling "you did great, its all down hill from here," were lying. Cinicinnati is a hilly place, and that is not something to be underestimated, no matter what kind of running experience you have.
Miles 9-15 are somewhat of an uneventful blur to me, except for getting to see my amazing husband and friends, cheering me on just after mile 13. This gave me a much needed boost, as I was getting bored and wanting a break. Overall in this stretch, I followed my game plan, glancing at my watch to try to pick up the pace a little. I was able to get my overall pace down to 9:05min/mile, which was the lowest I ever managed (my goal was an 8:48 overall pace/mile). By mile 15.5, I was feeling tired and wondering if I could force myself to finish this. I couldn't get out of my head, thinking "11 more miles is a LONG way." I took my first walk break just before the 16 mile mark and wasn't sure I was going to make it. I picked up my pace again and realized that I had to make it and I WOULD make it. The rest of the race was pretty difficult for me. I kept trying to remember why I was running and let the sounds of the crowd, especially the "GO TEAMS" and signs with "In Memory Of" on the sidelines carry me through, but I was TIRED. I felt dehydrated and weak and mentally drained.
I got to see my husband and friends again around mile 21 and I pulled off a smile for them, though I felt like I was falling apart. I was getting frustrated. I wanted a break. I wanted to cry. I wanted to sleep! I took a lot of very short walk breaks between mile 19 and the end of the race. I watched my overall pace slip from 9:09min/mile to 9:15 min/mile (with my overall goal of breaking the 4:00 mark, I needed a 9:09 m/m or less pace to make that goal). I knew by mile 21 that I wasn't going to break the 4 hour mark and I didn't even care. I just wanted to be DONE running. At the 26 mile mark, Coach Rick reappeared and I couldn't have been happier to see him. I tried to smile and say hi, but I felt like I couldn't form words. Rick helped me over the last two "little" hills that were placed just before the finish "swine." He was running faster than I thought I could keep up with, but my pace for my last mile was around 9m/m.
I couldn't have been happier to cross the finish line. 4:05:12 was my offcial time. I think I managed a smile for the camera, and I am sure that I threw my arms up in celebration. The girls actually got a video of me in that last 0.1 of a mile, and I don't look like I am going to fall over (but they are zoomed out pretty far)! I got my medal and I was desperate to find DH. I was overwhelmed with emotion: happiness, frustration, exhaustion, accomplishment. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was breathing, but I think I was wheezing a little... thankfully that went away pretty quickly. Everything on me hurt. I was afraid to sit down in fear that I wouldn't be able to get back up. DH found me at the TNT finisher's tent. He ran up to me so he could get a second with me before the girls caught up. There is a picture to prove it. I was crying and happy and basically a mess, but SO happy to see them. I assured them that I am not sure why I ran a marathon, but I was certain I wouldn't do it again anytime soon.
It is now May 4th and I am planning when my second attempt to go sub-4 should be. I know I can do it on a flat course with better hydration, keeping an even pace
Running is a beautiful, crazy addiction that I hope to have for a long time. I RAN A MARATHON! I AM A MARATHON FINISHER. I want to tattoo it on my forehead so everyone asks me about it. I want to wear my medal and never take it off. I am proud of myself and grateful that I accomplished something I never imagined I would do. 
Re: My first marathon: Race Report
Great report, and awesome accomplishment. Congrats!
Care to do Detroit with me in October?
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
Newlywed Athlete Blog
DD Arrived 10/17/2011
2012 Races
Valentine's Day Dash - 5k - 2/11/12 - 34:21
Kirkland 5k - 5/13/12 - 31:59
Sweet! And if you're pg, you can step down to the half.
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
Great job! That was a super hilly course! The hills were not really over at mile 9, in fact some of the smaller ones later on were even worse than those first few. The monster hill on mile 17 especially stands out to me!
Duke's House: Eating and Running with the Big Dog in Chennai: eatrunbrit.com
2010 Race PRs:
5K - 24:57 10M - 1:28:20 13.1M - 1:57:29 26.2M - 4:28:29
Mom to Teagan 4.11.07 and Cora 9.30.11
D&E @ 22w 9.30.09 CMV infection BFP 10.15.10 C/P 4w4d
Great job!
We could be virtual racers, seriously. But, you always beat me by just a bit
We are very, very close in times, though.. and 4:05 is awesome for a first marathon.
Let's both try to go sub 4 soon mmkay?
this!! big congrats.
U DID IT YOUR A MARATHONER!!!!!!!!!
Congrats what an awesome experience, and seriously your first marathon time is amazing (on those hills too). The pig was my husbands first marathon and he took 30 mins off his time that following fall.
You rocked that course on a VERY rough race day. Major props to you.