26.2: Rain, Pain and Insane!

OK. That title is lame. Sorry. I'm not feeling very creative today. Probably something to do with the fact that I'm tired and sore. And, no, that is NOT a complaint. I fully accept the side effects of such a crazy feat as running a marathon. And there are some very serious side effects after expending that much physical and emotional energy.

For instance: Immediately after crossing the finish line, you are filled with this adrenaline rush, this endorphin high, and for me, the only thing you can think about is "that was awesome! I want to do it again!" I know. I'm crazy. I get that same feeling after labor and delivering a baby. Seriously. Running marathons, giving birth, cliff diving....all items on the top of my list of exhilarating things to do.

And then there's the after effects. The soreness, the walking around like I just messed my pants because I can't get my legs to work. Walking down stairs backwards. My kids and hubby think that is hilarious. They will come and watch me walk down the stairs backward, whining and groaning as I go, just for kicks. And they like to ask me to go back upstairs to get them stuff, just to watch me go back down again. I'm on stair strike right now. This shouldn't be so hard, because my hubby is leaving today for Phoenix, and he's the troll that lives under the stairs. If he's not home, he NEVER go downstairs. EVER. He's the only reason I have to brave the dark recesses that lurk in our basement. That makes it sound like a dungeon. It's actually a pretty nice basement. Full daylight, lots of play space, and of course that's where Clint's got his big screen, so that's where he "lives".

I'm rambling. Do you want to hear about the race, instead of my basement? OK, fine.

Here's the play by play. If you don't want or need all the gory details, just skip to the end.

We caught the bus at 5 am. We happened to get a bus driver who takes his job VERY seriously. He stood up, before he would allow us to go, we all had to hush and listen to his little introduction. (Keep in mind we are sitting on a school bus). It was imperative that we all hear the safety features of the bus before leaving. So, just in case the bus catches fire, and spontaneously combusts, or whatever, we should exit through the back door. Make sure you bend your knees when you jump out, so you don't hurt yourself. And the reason we are so high is so when the cars run into us we won't feel it. At that moment, I missed my hubby terribly. I look around and could find no one to share in my dire need to seriously make fun of this person.

This is Cam & Larane (they are married) and me on the bus before the race. Yes, I'm sitting on Larane's lap. Shut up.

OK, I'm rambling again.

We made it to the start. It was already pouring rain. We stood in line for the porta-potty, while my oh-so-motivating friend Larane did a little potty cheerleading, trying to get the people in front of us to HURRY UP!!!

We were drenched before the race even started. I stood with Larane in the 3:30 pace section. While, I knew I couldn't finish that fast, I thought, why not get a head start.

Larane zoomed past me, and left me in her dust within the first mile. (She is hardcore fast, and totally admire her).

Around mile 3 the 3:40 pace group caught up to me. I thought, OK, so if I can stay with these guys the whole race, then I might actually qualify for Boston. *note: you get crazy thoughts while running in the driving rain, before the pain sets in*

I kept up with the group for about 4 miles. Then at mile 7, looming in front of us, in all its daunting glory was the dreaded Veyo hill. A 1 mile long steep climb. I slowed. I lost the 3:40 group. OK, I said, just stay ahead of the 3:50 group.

Just then, three of my friends, Annette, Trent, and Nicole from my running group, caught up to me. Annette, another running icon that I look up to, zoomed ahead. Then Trent. Nicole was kind enough to stay with me. We ran together for about ten miles. But, at mile 17's aid station, I decided I needed a snack, and a good rubdown with some icy hot. (God bless those wonderful volunteers!) So, she took off ahead.

And the 3:50 pace group passed me. OK, but I can't let the 4 hour group pass me. At mile 19, I was started to hurt, so I took my magic potion (muscle restoring drink). I felt like Popeye, with his can of spinach. Maybe it was psychological, but the pain subsided, and by mile 20, I was picking up speed. I'm sure it helped the the last 6 miles of the race were down hill.

I dumped my soaking, 10 pound (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not, it was really heavy) long sleeve shirt at mile 23 (little did I know, that would be the last I would ever see my beloved hot pink shirt).

Then, I got my second wind. I sped up, and felt great! I saw the 4:00 pace group right in front of me (when did they pass me--dangit!!). I thought, my goal is within my reach! I can do this. Then I really started to push it! For 2 miles, I was nearly sprinting, trying catch that pace group that would ensure my goal time. I caught tired, and slow down at mile 25.5. I kept saying to myself, come on, you can keep pushing. Less than 1 mile. One mile never took so long. But, I was able to pick it up again, and sprinting my hardest for that last 2/10 of a mile to the finish.

4 hours 2 minutes. Crap. 2 wretched minutes. If I hadn't walked through so many aid stations. If I had just kept pushing harder instead of slowing down.

It's OK. 2 minutes is nothing. Besides my Garmin watch said exactly 4:00. So there you go.

Next time, I can shave off those 2 minutes. And maybe another 20 minutes to qualify for Boston!

After the race, I had to go back to the park to look for my shirt (that wasn't there before). After not finding it, I started back to wear I parked my car in the church parking lot. I was on the phone with my Mom & Dad, tell them about my race, not really paying attention. Suddenly I really I had walked like 10 blocks....in the wrong direction. I had gotten myself lost. Here I am, wandering around down town St. George, on foot, 2 hours after running a marathon. And I can't find my stupid car. I probably walked around 2-3 miles, until I found it.

I know. I'm a glutton for punishment.

It was nice weekend away. It was nice to catch up with my good friend, Kristen, from high school, who met up with me for dinner on Saturday night. And who is another amazing person, who I admire for her incredible running abilities.


Now, today, I have damage control (you know, because I left the kids home with dad all weekend, so there's a "little" mess to clean up). Then I'm getting a massage! Thanks Jess for watching the kids!

These are some of my "on the fly" pictures on the freeway on my way out of town. As if driving 90 mph wasn't dangerous enough, I thought I'd try doing it while taking pictures out my window.

I will post some of the race pics after they get up on the web.