I wish I would have sat down as soon as I got done to write up my full recap. I was on a complete high and actually very proud of what I had just done. Anyone who knows me or has been reading this blog knows I can sometimes be a little tough on myself if I don't meet the goals I set (some would say high expectations). I'll be completely honest...self criticism has started setting in like a bad cold.
However, I'm going to fight it this time!!
I'm going to say right now. I'm proud of what I accomplished yesterday.
I'll write up a full race recap later, but in a nutshell:
26.2 miles (more according to my Garmin, but that makes sense because I
can tell you I did NOT run tangents) in 4:23:44 (chip time). Good
enough for 27/68 in my age group* and 679/1130 listed finishers (1500
registered, not sure how many started the race). My family came out to support me and traveled around the course so I could see their smiling faces 4 times. Sweet Daisy braved the cold and cheered me on. More friends than I can count cheered for me and made signs of encouragement. I had the best running partner I could have asked for who stuck with me until I ran off the last mile to the finish line. Mile 23 was actually one of my favorite miles of the race (the mile everyone says is the hardest for some reason). I finished VERY strong and was overjoyed with what I had just done when I got there. A dear friend welcomed me "home" with my medal and finisher's hat (and a super cool foil space blanket!). I feel like I did about all I could do yesterday. I ate when I planned to (although I can say I did NOT want to), I drank as much as I could (both water and electrolytes), I did walk a couple of times (other than aid stations), but I believe those little breaks were helpful overall (mostly going up the slight inclines that aren't enough to be called hills on any other day but looked like mountains yesterday!), and I finished in better than my C goal with a slightly better than 10:00 pace. That was truly one of the best (athletic) experiences of my life. I can't imagine not doing that (a stand alone marathon...as opposed to a marathon at the end of an Ironman) again.
Thanks for stopping in! Come again soon! I'll write the long version later.
:D
Great work!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to run some of the miles with you yesterday! Congrats on your first marathon!
ReplyDeleteI can't put into words how proud I am of you. I know that for years running was not our best "fun" thing to do (it still isn't mine) but you have accomplished something that I would love to have done. Too old and crippled up now to begin. Training is a good thing and I wish the military had coaches interested in helping you to "win." Congratulations on your feat.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time when runners finish a marathon, they see things they'd like to do better, but that just means you'll have to run another one! Congrats on a great finishing time!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Dana!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud of yourself! That is an awesome first marathon time (and 2nd and 3rd and 8th). While reading your previous posts, I thought you needed to focus more on finishing since this is the first time doing something like this. A marathon is a LONG way and a lot can happen in 26.2 miles. Even the most experienced marathoners have days when things are just off for no reason. And when approaching this feat for the first time, I think the goal should be to experience it and finish and learn for next time. And you felt good and finished strong - that is awesome! Congrats on a great run!
ReplyDelete