Well, it is about time old marathon mom resurfaces!!!
On May 4, 2008 at 07:39 the gun went off and I started my first marathon. I trained with Team in Training for 5 months. I raised almost $6000 for cancer research. I talked my training crew into running in skirts!!! I hoped to finish in under 5 hours.
I started the same way...up early, coffee, 2 packets of cinnamon apple oatmeal and I big glass of water. The kids and John put on their skirt chaser tshirts, grabbed their signs and boarded the bus with me.
The weather the day before was cold and windy and wet. The forecast when we left Bala called for ran and below 50. I dressed for winter-my gangsta hat and all! I hoped the weather would change.
I kept the girls and Kevin in my sight all the way to the start. I ran to the porta potty one last time and I lost them in the crowd of almost 9000 runners. UGH! I hoped I would find them.
I tried to squeeze into the crowd at the 5 hour pace group, but I could not get into the gate. I spotted Rebecca, a member of TNT that is friends with our beloved Dee and Sasha. A kind man pushed me through the crowd so I could run with her. Rebecca and I ran together for the first half, but then she finished...she only ran the half marathon. She is a lovely person and was the perfect person to start with. We kept an even pace of 10:30 per mile. I hoped I could keep it up.
One more lap to go...this one solo...still no sign of the girls and Kevin.
The weather warmed up, I was able to ditch the layers (but forgot about the hat).
As I came up to the boardwalk for the final time, I looked at John's smiling face right by the clock which was still sub 5 hours-I had done it! I cannot explain the emotion. I was overwhelmed with happiness! I started to cry so hard that I could hardly breath.
After the race John and the kids ran in to great me with hugs and kisses! It was amazing!
I waited for my girls and Kevin and ran them to the finish. IT was great to see their faces as they came up the boardwalk! It was everything I hoped for.
As we walked back to the shuttle, Maggie and I held hands. She was very vocal about how her legs and feet were KILLING HER! Very funny and cute!
She asked me why I only got a medal and not a trophy. I explained that the faster runners are the ones that win the trophies because they come in first second third..."but mom, all you have to do is keep up with them!" I hope to some day Mags...
I ran by myself, but I was never alone. I kept the names of all the heroes and all the people that have supported me in the pocket on my shoe. I kept the names of my heroes pinned to my team shirt. Thank you for your support! You have helped me reach my goal of completing this marathon....I hope we can reach the goal of finding a cure for blood cancers.
I CHOOSE HOPE.
