Although the Seattle Rock and Roll marathon sold out before I could register, I was pleased with my decision to go down to Sunriver for the Pacific Crest marathon instead. 4,000 runners instead of the 25,000. I was actually really looking forward to camping with just my husband and no kids. We dropped the kids in Portland with my family and we made the 4 hour trip to Sunriver and set up camp. Sunriver is a resort town so booking a condo wasn't in the budget. I loved camping in the tent, being in the outdoors and cooking food over the open fire.
The night was cold but with my double layer of foam, a memory foam mattress and two down blankets, I was very comfortable. I woke at 5:07am and went to take a warm shower to loosen the muscles. I spent most of the time using all the muscles in my face as my teeth chattered violently from the cold. Not as relaxing as I had hoped but that is camping. Rob got up and made a fire so we could heat water for my oatmeal. (All you runners out there, no laughing. I really have no clue what I should be eating so I just did what I thought was best.) At 6:30 I met the 3 other women from Maple Valley that had come to run and we carpooled to the Athlete's Village. We spent a few minutes stretching, shivering, going pee and talking.
This was the moment I had been training for. We had a procession to the start line and then it began. I wasn't nervous, I wasn't calm, I wasn't excited. I actually felt no emotion as I began, just was ready to put my nose to the grind stone and experience the event.
I was doing well and kept up the running at my regular pace until in between miles 4 and 5 when my knee really starting throbbing. I wish I could explain what it feels like but it is so painful that your leg refuses to lift because it will mean that the knee has to support the weight of your lower leg. It is probably more subconscious brain function than anything. I was feeling a little panicked knowing that if it got really bad, I would not physically be able to go on. I was really kicking myself for not buying another knee wrap but if you know me, you know I am too cheap. Plus, I didn't know if I would need it since the pain only manifests itself around the 4 mile mark. Let's just say, some are born to run and some are not! I am the "not".
I said a prayer and just kept gritting my teeth through it knowing I had a long way to go. At about mile 7, reality really hit. I felt like I had been running for hours and yet I was only half way. (To all you future marathoners, watch out for mile 7, it eats at you.) Luckily, my pain eased up a bit and I took full advantage and practically sprinted for as long as I could.
Naturally, around mile 10, I started to feel the effects of the run and slowly came to a walk because the pain became intense. Every mile I stopped to stretch that knee and it would give me just enough relief to try again. I figured out that if I walked with my foot slightly turned outward, it gave me the relief I needed to carry on. I tried to power walk as much as possible and nothing is more humbling than getting passed even when you are giving it all you got. I saw a couple in their 80's pass me, a woman who weighed 400 pounds and a couple of turtles.
The last few miles were so nice. Knowing you are so close you can taste it is all the kick you need. When I saw #12 on the mile marker, I knew I had challenged myself and won! I began to run with all I had left and I could hear the announcer in the distance and well-wishers were urging me on. As soon as I rounded the last corner, I caught sight of a huge bouquet of balloons and then came to realize that it was my husband with 30 helium balloons at the finish line. As I passed, my friends and their families screamed Happy Birthday and Rob snapped my favorite picture of me. I had to reign in the tears.
And then it was over. The timing chip boxes beeped and flashed as I slowed to a stop. I grabbed a towel, wiped down in the water tent and went into the dark pavilion to get my medal. That was it.
"Grab a bagel, thanks for coming, next!"
I quickly found Rob, and sobbed into his shoulder. He greeted me with 30 balloons and a beaming smile. I sat down, downed some water, rested and tried to drink it all in. It was over so fast. I hobbled over to get my much deserved "finisher" t-shirt and then we were off to pack up the campsite.
My time was 3:20:09. I had been doing an average of 12-minute miles (I am naturally gifted at being slow) in my training so I know I could have done it in just over 2 1/2 hours but it wasn't meant to be. My main goal was to finish and I TRULY believe that my Father in Heaven had a lot to do with my success. I really tried to show a lot of faith these past few weeks and I am certain it worked.
I started that race at 29 and I finished 30 years old. I felt like I had earned that right of passage in every way. I am proud of my accomplishment, I am happy with the results, it was REALLY hard and I highly recommend it to anyone. There just isn't a feeling like it.
We made the trip home with Vicoden flowing through my veins and a trivia book. We even stopped long enough for Rob to take a ride down the Alpine Slide on Mt Hood. I stayed at the bottom since I was crippled. My mom was waiting with chili and cornbread and my favorite homemade blackberry pie when we arrived in Portland. We made homemade vanilla ice cream and I opened a few presents. It was great to be me.
1000 thank yous to:
My mom & dad
My sister, Jannalee
My brother, Jace
My brother, Chad
My sister-in-law, Sarah
Dennis & Lynn
Martha Monson
Kate & Mike
Debbie Reeves
Lindsay Page
Sally Bender
Stacy Hatch
Taryn Horne
Holly Jolley
Jodi Ziemann
and my best friend and husband who cheered me on every step of the way, Rob
3 comments:
Congrats and Happy Birthday!!!
I LOVED reading your story. You did a great job.
Congrats! What an accomplishment! You should be very proud of yourself! Way to go!
Your a finisher! Fantastic. So glad you set your goal and reached it. Way to go, literally!
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