Mission accomplished

OK, well I did it!!! Nov. 1 I ran the NYC Marathon! My time... 4hrs 30min. While not great, it's actually not too bad since I pretty much collapsed at mile 20. The last 10k were horrible, I practically crawled across the finish line. Looking back at my training, the setbacks with my injuries left me with less than optimal time to ramp up the long runs and come in fully prepared. My coach also commented that although I managed to get in some quality runs in the final weeks of prep, the long runs were compromised and he was fairly certain this would have a significant impact on how I would finish the event. He didn't share this ahead of time of course, but I had some doubt in my mind as well. As for the event itself, NYC is pretty overwhelming for a first marathon. Having to shuttle bus to the start line at 6am for a 10am start and wait in the cold and rain is not ideal either.... but I met some great people and traded stories as we were waiting to go. The Professional runners got away first at around 9:15, followed by the Elites then Wave 1 at 9:40. I was supposed to be in wave 2 at 10am, but the crowds heading into the start gates where huge, and I along with many others didn't make it so had to start in wave 3 at 1020. I watched from the corral as the cannon boomed and 14+ thousand runners set out over the Verrazero bridge. Wow, very cool! We were crammed in there pretty good until finally we were allowed to move along to the start. Music was playing, the announcer was getting the crowd going, Frank Senatra with "New York, New York" followed by someone singing "America the Beautiful" then BOOM!!! We were off!
Heading up the bridge i felt great, the view was spectaclular and I was enjoying the moment. Coming off the bridge into the Bronx we got the first taste of what it would be like for the entire run, elbow to elbow and huge crowds of people lining the streets clapping and waving, shouting encouragement, music playing from stereos out of windows and live bands... the WHOLE WAY! The support from the people of NYC was incredible, and the number of volunteers manning the water stations, hard to believe! As we entered into each burough, there were signs announcing where we were and often someone on a mic keeping the crowd going and cheering us on. I tried to take it all in as we ran by these neighbourhoods, some interesting sights like the Jewish community with everyone dressed in black, the men wearing top hats and long mustaches, the women in old fashoined dresses, laced boots and bonnets. People were holding signs with words of encouragement, around mile 14 there was one guy dressed as Jesus with a sign that said "in 12 miles water turns to wine", I had to look twice at that one, he winked:)
I had a good pace going, about a 10min mile with fairly even splits through the half and felt really good. I was still feeling good at mile 16 after a long climb up one of the bridges. It was about mile 18 when things started to get tough. All along I was thinking, "once I get to mile 20 I'll put the hammer down and just go!" What the hell was I thinking??? Everyone knows the saying, "the marathon starts at mile 20".... they're not freaking kidding!!! So I was cruising along around mile 18 and the bone on the top of my right foot suddenly felt like there was a stone digging into it. It was killing me so I pulled over, loosened my shoe laces and rearranged the tounge of the shoe thinking that was the issue, started running again and the pain was still there. I pulled over again, same thing with the laces and started running... still pain! I tried a third time to fix my shoe but still no relief from the pain. I was limping a bit with this and thought, "crap, what now???" Stopping wasn't helpful so the only thing I could do was to keep going and hope that the pain would resolve on it's own. Unfortunately, my gait was now a bit awkward and suddenly I wasn't feeling as light anymore. Approaching mile 20 rounding a corner into Harlem, we were in Manhatthan heading down 1st avenue... last 6miles, this is it! The music was blaring, the crowds were shouting and holding signs "f#@ the wall", right!!! It was really getting tough, still pain on the top of my right foot, now the right groin/hip flexor were protesting, left shin was barking and both feet felt like I was running on pegs. My thoughts, "OMG, this is crazy! How the hell am I going to finish! Just go hard!!!" But I couldn't move any faster, I was getting slower and slower... felt like I had a piano on my back. I knew my time was blown, part of my said "f#@ it!, just walk" but I couldn't stop. Heading into Central Park, I got confused on how much was left to go, I thought I was at mile 25 and the sign said 24! You have no idea how crushed I was, I couldn't believe it! Almost cried and quit right there. Those last 2 miles could not have been longer or more painful. As I rounded the last corner and could see up ahead the finish line I was thinking "Never again!!! This is crazy, I'd rather be on stage!" I crossed the line to the Boss signing "Born to Run", I was so happy to be done! I got my medal and continued on with the "death march" in the crowd of finishers making our way out of the park. I looked around and saw the pain in others as well. It was all setting in now, what I had achieved, the months of training, the obstacles I'd overcome to get here, the pain I endured in training and in the final 10k of the race. Woah, I am a lunatic.... a very strong whacked out lunatic! I had a quiet meltdown and just let it all out. Tears of exhaustion and relief.
So it was an interesting experience, different than what I expected for sure. Glad I did it, but not looking to do it again anytime soon. The competitor in me wants to see a better time, but the wiser part of my being realizes that I'm not passionate enough about distance running to go through that again.... maybe a half marathon, we'll see:)
In the meantime, I'm enjoying getting back into my life and more serious lifting in the gym. With the marathon I was looking for a change, but I realize now where I belong... if it aint broke, don't fix it! I guess I learn things the hard (and unfortunately expensive!) way. I want to get back to my roots. Everything I need I already have, I don't need to look too far or dig too deep. Don't get me wrong, I still have dreams and goals and mountains to climb, I just think I'll stick to more familiar terrain for awhile. I may not be a distance rummer, but I have other talents to sharpen up.
So as this episode in my life journey comes to a close, I'm thankful for the wonderful life that I have and realize how lucky I am to have such a loving, supportive, understanding and PATIENT husband. Why he puts up with a crazy chic like me I'll never know, but I am eternally grateful:) You ROCK hunny!!!

What's my next challenge??? God only knows, but I'm thinking it involves that glitzy red bikini and those 5" heels hanging in my closet.... stayed tuned!

M:)