The journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single step…
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| Me in San Francisco |
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| Stephanie, myself and Dave - Two of my fellow TNT members (It was a challenge keeping up with these two) |
I can't say enough about this wonderful organization - if you've ever contemplated running a half or full marathon you should check them out! Team in Training
To train for this marathon it would take 5 months. I ran by myself during the week but I also met with my team every Wednesday and Saturdays. On Saturdays we ran our long distances. The first Saturday we met we ran 5 miles, then we increased our mileage every week until we reached 20 miles.
Along the journey…
Once I started running long distances my IT band (short for lliotibial Band) really started to bother me. I did everything I could to ease the discomfort. I started to wear bands around my knees, got a roller, went to a physical therapist and additionally, went to a specialized massage therapist to help ease the discomfort. The pain in my knee was painful but I didn't care what I had to do, I was going to complete this marathon - no matter what.
You see, the thing about me is when I put my mind to do something, I’m going to do it no matter what it takes.
I didn’t care if I had to crawl across the finish line I was going to cross it one way or another.
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| Day before the race - my name on the Nike wall |
The BIG Day...
The morning of my marathon I had a lot of different emotions - I was anxious, excited, nervous you name it.
I started the race with a few of my TNT team members after a few miles we dispersed each of us going at our own pace. I had my name on the front of my shirt and everyone I passed gave me well wishes, clapped and gave me high fives. One comical part during the race is some spectators in the crowd held up signs that read, “Toenails are for Sissy’s” and “Channing Tatum just ahead." That sign alone helped me pick up my pace a little.
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| Me running up one of the many hills in San Francisco |
When I passed mile 13 the number of runners decreased significantly, I was actually relieved to have a little breathing room. I kept a good pace, not too fast not too slow. I wanted to ensure I had enough in me to finish this thing. When I got to mile 20 I still felt good, I was tired but just kept telling myself “It’s only six miles, you do this mileage before work on your morning runs.” During those last six miles, I never hit a wall. My leg started to cramp but the cramping stopped just as quickly as it came on. At mile 25 it was sureal – I was SO close.
I actually had enough in me to pick up my pace and run through the finish line.
The awesome part about this race is when you cross the finish line a fireman dressed in a tuxedo awaits you with a tray of pretty blue Tiffany’s boxes.
In each box holds a Tiffany’s finisher's medal necklace.
Uh hello...now do you see why I signed up for this race?
Who doesn't love Tiffany's?
With my Tiffany’s box in hand , I found the first available place to sit down (the curb) and relished in the fact that I had ran a marathon. I did it!
Now it was time to PARTY... which I did!
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| Stephanie and I after the race! |
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| My Tiffany's Medal |
Beyond the finish line…
After being home a few days, I hate to admit it but I was a little depressed. For the past 5 months I’d been living, breathing and training for a marathon. It had been my life. I kind of felt like a kid Christmas morning after all the presents have been opened, all the anticipation and excitement was now over.
Now what... another marathon, a triathlon whatever shall I do?
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| While I’m contemplating my next adventure, I think I’ll cross #28 off my list . After all– I think this is a big accomplishment to line through, don't you? |
