Sunday, November 15, 2009

Compleition


I did it! I finished my first marathon!! 26.2 miles done. Let's check this one off my bucket list!
The marathon was hard. I started getting nervous last Sunday and my nerves ate at me all week long. Once the marathon started the nerves went away and I was doing great the first 10 miles then my entire left leg cramped up, and I had to run like that for the next 16 miles. That is a really long way to white knuckle your way through something. But I did it, yet not alone.
As I pursued this goal, each training run I was on my own. P would come ride his bike next to me on my training runs, but other than that, it was a solo experience. I came into this race expecting to test my metal. Could I really do this? Could I push through the pain? Will this show me what I was made of? I think I was so nervous because every other athletic pursuit I have done has been as part of a team, group, or pair. This was the first time that I would step out on my own without a partner for support.
Yet, I did not do this alone. I have an amazing husband and great friends who did this with me, and without their support, I would not have made it through.
Before I go any further, I need to thank P. This week he has been so supportive of me. He has noticed when my nerves were getting the best of me, and he stepped in and lifted me up with words of encouragement. He dropped me off this morning at the start line, then drove to park his car, then hopped on his bike and came and saw me off. Then he spent the entire race riding around supporting me. He gave me food, water, and words of support. Thank you P for loving me so well.
I also have some great friends. They were also on their bike riding around cheering me on. At one point, my bff and former college roommate ditched her bike and ran the last 2 miles with me.
Today was just another reminder to me what the important things in life are. They are family and friends loving and supporting each other. It is being there for people in our lives. I am so humbled that there are so many people in my life who will stop what they are doing to come and support me. Wow, thank you to my sweet husband and friends.
I am now nestled into a comfy spot on the couch. My legs are sore as heck and I am drinking a ton of water, and trying to recover.Physically, my tank is empty. Emotionally, my tank is over flowing!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh do I know that feeling!! I was just beaming after my marathon. On cloud nine is an understatement : ) but, let me tell you - I was sore. Take care. A nice warm bath may do you good. And, I know many who take the next day off work. Stairs and going to the bathroom was the worst.

all this to say - AWESOME! You are amazing.

June said...

Good for you! It is so wonderful to know who runs along with us in life...even if the way we find out involves sixteen miles of leg cramps. Awesome. I could never do it and so admire those who do...

Thanks for stopping by our blog. It's a pleasure to find yours!

A Friend Across the Miles said...

Oh Friend! Congratulations many times over! I so admire you and your accomplishment, for a marathon is just that - a HUGE accomplishment. I have a picture in my mind of you and your friends coming across the line. It makes me smile.