It came it went- and here are the gory details
2 days before. I wake up with a sore throat. Yes, I am sick. I am running sick.
Is that cramps? I am so blessed to have my ladies curse right now?
Really, universe? Oh well.
Day before- walk around Legoland all day dreaming of sleeping. Where will I find my energy?
Day of- can't sleep, so excited. Unbelievable lines for the bathrooms- I have to get in one. I am nervous- I smile for the camera (no that is not a side pony tail- that is another ladies hair behind my head). It is like a rally but everyone is athletic.....it is infectious. Can I hit my target time of under 2:45 (time predicted for my 5k pace of a 10 minute mile).
Race starts. Bands play, breeze flows, it feels great. I pass a lot of my wave and catch up with the 2:30 pacer. I get excited as I slowly pull in front of him. I feel sooo good. I go.
I run a few miles. Gotta pee, oh great.
See a small line and sweep out of the race to get in it.
Wait a few minutes..... wait a few more...there goes the 2:30 pacer past the porta-potty....
I take my squat and get back in the race, and never catch up to him.
I slosh water down, I wave at the sidelines, I want to cry for joy when I see my kids and hubby waiting to cheer and take my picture. I hit the turn around point, I shed my jacket...I run and run and run.
At mile 9 I toss my jacket to my kids and keep going. At mile 10 people start dropping. I see a girl puking. A grown man rubbing his calves, wincing in pain by the side of the road. At this point a lot of my wave starts walking. I keep running, but can tell I am slowing down.
I hit a down hill slop (thank goodness) it is mile 11.
I feel like someone is slapping the back of my legs, but keep going.
I feel good other than the leg thing...a good song comes on, I am getting blissfully emotional, I can see the last turn, and I want to cry I am so happy.
I take the turn and truck up the hill to the finish. I am so excited to grab my medal. My kids look proud as they gather around and hug and hold me.....
I did it.
After race- we walk in the nearby mall to eat. A random woman says "Hey, good job" when she sees my medal. I want to kiss her for noticing and tell her "I am not a runner! I did not run ever until 18 months ago! I did it all by myself!!!!" But I just say...."Thanks".
I go to use the restroom and fall onto the toilet. I have no strength left in my body.
Later that night- I skip on dinner to stay in bed. I have no energy to dry my hair or put on makeup. Hubby brings home dinner and chocolate cake. I feel euphoric, in spite of exhaustion.
Day after. CAN. NOT. WALK. Ouch. My legs hurt. I am suddenly proud of my 2:38 time, realizing I could not have gone faster without dying.
I moan and whine the whole drive home (10 hours). I pull myself up the stairs into bed and I am done.
Next day- I do two miles and feel good again.
Get a massage....
and I am back to normal.
Now, when can I run another one? I have to beat that lame-o time!
17 comments:
You are so awesome! Congrats!
You are inspirational! Good job! By the way, did you just love Legoland? We went last Fall for the first time and we loved it. Fun to do something different than Disneyland.
WOW!! Good for you. I think that is AWESOME!! You go girl!!
WOW!! Good for you. I think that is AWESOME!! You go girl!!
You go, girl! I was where you are several years ago; since then I have done 2 marathons (St. George is gorgeous) and still prefer the half marathons. It is amazing what you can find yourself doing when you simply go out and do it! I totally get the pre-race potty visits...my friend and I usually spend the last 20 minutes before the race in line, then getting back in line for more than one visit!
I was reliving my half as I read this. haha. I had almost forgotten the pain in the back of my legs! Good job Ramona. And the time is not lame-o. you did it!! I could barely move after mine..it's amazing isn't it, how much it takes out of you!? Can you imagine a whole one!!? I can't and I don't want to!
I'm so proud of you, Sis. That is great!
Your legs look so muscular on the zoom in...woah! That is so cool.
I am wiping tears of joy. You are awesome. YAY YOU!!!!
I found myself smiling through your whole post! I also zoomed in and saw the runner muscles in your legs! Woot! Woot!
You are so awesome!
And you look so great!
Way to go!!!!
Is it crazy - but reading about staying in bed and getting chocolate cake is the part of the story that makes me want to do a half! Know why - cuz you deserved the pampering.
Luv ya.
Awesome job! You have planted a seed of inspiration in me. Part of me even hopes it grows.
I have to admit...when I saw that people noticed my muscles (I didn't know I had any that showed) I had to go back and look....I am just saying thanks to the nice comments. It inspires me to keep going!
YAY for you! So inspirational! I'm hoping to not die while doing a 5K in a couple months!!!
You were in my old SD stomping grounds. Love that place!
K-your a rockstar ...That is such a great accomplishment!!
Hey, I need to read that book..thanks for mentioning it on my blog!
marie
You are so amazing! I am so proud of you! I didn't notice the "side ponytail" until you mentioned it. C'mon...you can admit it was yours. And FYI, I would have been the girl throwing up on the side.
Yay for you! That's an amazing accomplishment- you set your goal and you finished. Great Job!!
I am so FREAKING proud of you! As I read your post I was wishing I was there with you in line for the port-a-potty. Can you believe you have your first half under your belt?! CONGRATS! It was nice out today and I was dying to get out so I went a couple of miles - it felt great and I miss it, BAD. By next month the weather should be good enough we can get in a routine again. Can't wait!
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