26.2

I did it! It was awesome. It was a prefect first marathon experience.  The course was doable, the weather was gorgeous, everyone was friendly and encouraging and my running buddy was able to run it with me! (she had a knee scare and didn't definitely decide to do it until a few days before the race).

The day before the race I did some major hydration and carb loading. That morning I woke up super early and picked up Virginia.  

The Race started at 7. But it was all the way out in Surprise and we needed to pick up our chip and bibs plus take time to use the port-o-john.  Now, I know I signed up for a cheep marathon but my one complaint was the bathroom situation.  TWO portos for everyone.  ridiculous.  I wont go into detail about what we did...but other arrangements needed to be made... and we weren't the only ones.

This is Virginia and I at the start. Nice and energized. It was a beautiful sunrise!

They advertise this course as an "easy, flat, out and back course".  That was not entirely the case.  There were a lot of graduale climbs. So gradual that you could feel it going up but there was hardly any relief going down.  I felt like we were going up hill for the majority of the race...at least that's what my calves and toes were telling me.

We downed a gell pack every 6-8 miles and hydrated along the course. I recommend Power Aid gels over the Gu brand.  Not as thick, which is nice.  I have heard that Cliff bar has some gels that are good.  I'm going to have to try them out.  We also stopped and stretched a few times.  I think that saved us from cramping up too much at the end.

There were a few people there who were wearing "50 State" marathoner shirts.  This one man, Jerry, is in his 70's and he and his wife have ran marathons in each state multiple times.  I think that's how they are spending their retirement. awesome. Jerry, I want to be like you when I grow up!

So, it was nice to have someone to spend the 4+ hours with.  Some of the time we talked. Some of the time we didn't.  It was nice to have some one to talk to on the hard parts especially.  What did we talk about you ask? Vegan recipes. For reals.

This next picture and video was taken by my mom as they drove past.  I told Virginia to anticipate seeing my family drive by a few times.  I guessed that they would drive by at least 3 times.  I was right.  

Did you hear Emmie at the end? sweet girl.

Virginia and I had trained up to 24 miles.  Most training programs go up to 20 or 21 miles.  I'm glad we did the 24.  I was good to anticipate the exhaustion,  and for me, the nausea that I beging to feel around the 24 mile mark.  I felt I was better prepared for it, mentally.  I don't know if it's the gel packs or just the stress on the body that causes the nausea...but it's wicked.  The last 2 miles were the hardest (duh).  At the very end was the steepest uphill climb...who ever designed the course is evil. But, that being said, with the uphill came the down and with that and a the last little bit of adrenaline I had in me I was able to sprint to the finish line! whooooooo!!!!!

The clock says, 4:37.  I guess they were having some technical difficulties and my chip time is 4:36.  Does it really matter...no...okay, kind of.  According to our watched we got 4:15 (it stoppes when we stop running...so the 15 minutes would be the time we took to stretch and gel)

Almost there....almost there...

 Total.runners.high.  AWESOME!

Matt and the kids and my parents met us at the finish line.  They were pretty proud of me.

After it was all over I felt good.  I felt a bit sore...and nauseous but over all good.  My feet took the worst of it.  See that awesome blister? nice.  I'm fully aware at the grossness of my feet.  But I just ran a marathon so I'm okay with it.   

I felt so good after the race that I felt ready to run again as of Tuesday.  But, instead Virginia and I went to a yoga class. Even better.  I was able to stretch everything out and on Thursday I went for my first run after the marathon.  It was nice.  I was a little stiff and slow but it was nice.  Another runner that I run with on Thursday's asked Virginia and I if we had any "runner's depression" after the race.  I had never heard of it before but I totally got a taste of it.  It's that feeling of all that build up to the big day and then the let down of it being all over and the "now what?" Another race!!! The day after the marathon I totally signed up for another race. It's only a 10k.  but it's something!  I'm on the look out for my next marathon.  I think I can squeeze at least one more in before the season is over! 

So that's it...If you're still reading this, thank's for sticking around. And as a reward watch this short Youtube video. I think it's pretty accurate. enjoy!