So this was random. I walked up to the water cooler at work today and there was this black cat staring at me. Even though I knew that it was fake I didn't take my eyes off of it in case it was a cruel joke and someone decided to scare me! It's not even Halloween people! Who knows!
Shamrock Marathon Completed!
Hello my long lost friends. As of right now I am over 4 months late on this update. I should have made the time to do this long before now but I guess its better late than never.
First, I want to say a huge Thank You to everyone who supported me through my marathon journey! It was an experience of a life time and I couldn't have done it without all of the support. I do hope to one day do another. If you know me, you know I like a good challenge!
Well, marathon weekend was like a whirl wind for me. I enjoyed almost every minute of it and at the end couldn't really believe that I had accomplished such a big goal. I went down to my parents house on Friday night. I spent the night with them and tried not to focus on the big event and just enjoy family time. I didn't want to get myself too nervous.
On Saturday I did a little shopping with my mom and sis and then drove over to VA Beach to pick up my race packet. Unfortunately I was stuck in lots of traffic and had to take the long way to the convention center. I got around the traffic but I still wasn't sure if I would get there in time. I called up my mentor Sarah, who by the way was totally amazing, and asked if there was any way someone could get it for me if I didn't make it in time. Thanks to my great TNT family they got my packet. I ended up getting there in time so I just walked around the health expo and stopped by the TNT table for a few minutes before heading to my hotel. Once I got to the hotel I checked in and Haley and Bret came in behind me. It was so good to see a familiar face. Especially one that could relate to my huge weekend! I ended up rushing up stairs to unload my stuff and say hi to my roommate for the night.
Then I headed to dinner with my parents and Katie and Jordan. Well I was so late getting to dinner that I didn't even get to eat because I had to head back for a meeting with the team. So Katie and Jordan had a nice dinner with my parents. They were great and brought some food back to the hotel for me to eat after the meeting. It was good to eat but I could barely eat. I knew I had to carb load so I ate it anyways. The three of us ended up hanging out at the hotel talking for a bit and then I headed to bed for a good night sleep.
I woke up on race day excited and nervous and unfortunately congested. I couldn't breathe out of my nose at all! I wasn't exactly sure how I was planning on running a marathon without being able to breathe. I took some medicine and used a nasal spray, both of which are not recommended, but it was what I had to do to get the job done. I met the team down stairs and we took some pictures and got hype for the big race. Then we all went out to cheer on the half marathoners as they started there race.
Next it was our turn. I was able to see my family and friends before the race started. They were hilarious. Jordan and Katie made shirts and my family had big posters to hold up. Boy did I have the cheering section. Well, finally the race started. As expected it moved pretty slowly out of the gate but once we got going it was so cool to run with my teammates and see all of the fans along the road cheering us on! We all started out a little faster than I like so I was nervous about running out of energy to keep it up. The first part was by the beach so it was nice and sunny with a little breeze and the smell of the ocean. Once we got into the residential area the crowd died down and it was time to focus. It was great to see other TNT people out and to yell "Go Team" as we ran past. There was so much support on the race. We went down through ….where the soldiers gave us high fives and cheered us on. That was one of the coolest parts for me. Well once we got back to the main road I was getting tired and didn't think I could keep that pace much longer. It was getting really hot and I was trying to stay hydrated but the energy just wasn't there so I slowed my pace a little. I ended up running most of the rest of the race with Sarah. We both seemed to have trouble with the heat but we stuck it out to the end. I had to walk a little once we got back on the boardwalk. There I saw my parents and stole my dads water bottle. He gave me a sip and I told him he wasn't getting it back. After all I was running a marathon!
Around the half way point I saw Katie, Jordan, my uncle, cousins, and sister cheering me on. Then a little further down was Lisa, Nora, and Nora's brother. It was sooo cool having all of them there and excited for me. It definitely gave me the motivation to keep going. Well the heat was still getting to me and it was hard to keep going around mile 16 I think I was sure I wanted to quit but something wouldn't let me so I kept going. Around that time I saw my aunt Janice and Ashley waiting on the side of the road to cheer me on. They had oranges and water but at that point I just needed to keep running. It was amazing to see them too! After that it was the long stretch to the end. I walked fast a lot to save up some energy so that I could cross the finish line strong but was really disappointed that I couldn't run it all out. I do wish I had pushed myself a little harder but there is always next time right! When it comes down to it I did finish the race strong. Next we ran through fort story. It was a pretty part of the run but I was definitely tired and ready for it to end. The TNT coaches were allowed to stay along the side and jump in and run with us throughout the race. At the beginning of the race it was cool to see them and get a little boost of encouragement but by this time I didn't care what they had to say. I was grateful they were there but at one point I could have just punched someone. Let me tell you when you push your body that hard crazy things start to happen. Disclaimer: I didn't actually punch anyone…just in my head! We ran through Fort Story and once we got on the other side I was determined to push myself as much as I could. There were only about 5 miles or so to go and I knew I could do it. I ended up passing Sarah and pacing myself with a few other runners to make sure I wasn't getting behind. It seemed to work out pretty well for me. All I could think about at that point was wow I have almost finished this and I have definitely run farther than I ever have in my life. Some time during the last two miles a TNT coach jumped in and ran with me for a little bit. He asked me how I was doing and I didn't have much to say except that I hurt. He said okay lets start with what doesn't hurt. I said my face! Haha that literally was the only thing I could think of because my whole body was being put through more than it could imagine! He passed me off to another coach as I rounded the bend for the last stretch. I ran the last half a mile or so on the board walk, with one of my amazing coaches, amazed that I was about to finish one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. On the side my friends and family were screaming and cheering me on. I pushed it as hard as I could and ran strong and proud across that finish line with a huge smile on my face! I had done it! Right before I crossed the finish line my little cousin Colon jumped in and ran across with me! It was fun to have him there but when I asked him if he would run a marathon one day he said no way! Haha maybe we will change his mind when he gets a little older! As I went through and got my metal and t-shirts he got the food they were handing out. I couldn't help but laugh! After going through the line I went into the tent to check in with TNT and then off to find my family and friends! Hugs all around! That is if they didn't mind how gross and sweaty I was. We ended up running in 80 degree weather for most of the race. That is really hot when you trained in 30 degree weather for most of the time!
Well it was over and time to go celebrate! Katie and Jordan walked with me back to my hotel to get my stuff and my car. I had to take off my shoes because I could not take it any longer. We ran into Lisa and Nora on the way back and Lisa proceeded to give me a giant hug! Then along the way I saw Haley finishing the race. I had to stop and cheer her on. She did such an amazing job! After that we all met up at Cheeseburger in Paradise for some good protein! Haha I know I was craving it and that burger never tasted so good! I finished the weekend off with my family resting and a massage to top it off. What a phenomenal time I had and as hard as it was I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sign me up for the next one. Speaking of, I have only done a 5k since but I was able to beat my personal record for that race so I was really happy. I am still running but not nearly as much. I do plan on training again just not sure when that will be. Next I am going for a half marathon and a personal record!
Pictures to come!
When I started training for this marathon I could hardly run 2 miles and the furthest I had ever run at one time was five miles. I couldn't have done it with out the great coaches and training I received from TNT. So if you want to go out and complete that life goal, do it with TNT…they will get you there!
I guess now that I have posted my marathon update I can continue on with the rest of my amazing life these days!
I am going to a Potomac Nationals game with Jordan tonight so I'm really excited about that. Can't go wrong with a little all American baseball and great company on a beautiful summer evening! I have lots of fun plans for this weekend so I hope to keep up with this blog thing for you all to enjoy!
