I got caught up reading the other race reports today, so I thought I might try to write one. I'm really glad I did - it felt good to put it all down somewhere.
This is long, so if you're bored, pull up a seat...
I came into this race in a good place. I had a pretty serious bout of tendonitis in my ankle a few weeks prior, but I felt really healthy. I had done the work, and mostly had done a good job of hydrating, carb loading and resting (but not too much) in the week before. Plus the weather was perfect. To top it off I had a VELOUR track suit thrift find as my disposable pre-race warm gear. Nothing says “I mean business” like a velour track suit. Nothing. I was so happy to cross the start line. I was running with great partners and had a nice moment of gratitude. I told my friends, “we just ran the first mile of our first marathon. This is crazy.” Our plan was to hold our pace back for the first half, and then if possible, pick it up when it felt right. We crossed the half at 2:28, so we were definitely on pace for sub-5, and felt like we would be able to surge for the last 10k. Right around mile 15, I knew there was a problem with my left hip. It just wasn’t moving the way it was supposed to. I was hoping it was just temporary and would pass, and that I could push through it. Around mile 16 I told my friends I might have a problem. Then right around mile 17 is the awesome part of the race where we run into Ohio Stadium. I remember seeing the sign that said “Caution, Steep Decline” and I felt my hip go. Momentum took me onto the ramp, but I ended up at a dead stop against the wall. I very slowly made my way down to the bottom and tried to pick up my run. Flat terrain and incline seemed to be easier for me. I slowly made my way out of the stadium and told my friends (who were awesome enough to have waited for me) that it was time for them to go on without me. They protested a little, but I reminded them this wasn’t a training run, it was the race, and they had to go. They wished me luck and went on. I tried to just get a plan. I knew I would feel better with a plan. I decided to walk at every mile marker for .25 a mile, and then jog, however slowly, as far as I could or until the next mile marker. Then at 23, I really didn’t know if I could finish. The thought of pulling out my phone to call my husband and tell him to pick me up made me physically ill. I knew I had to cross the finish line, even if I had to crawl. So I walked. And hobbled. And limped. Then I saw one of my running coaches spectating at mile 25. I went to give her a hug and ended up sobbing on her shoulder. It all came out at once and she was such a rock star. She grabbed her bag and told me she was taking me in to finish. She said all the right things and before I knew it, we were making the turn to the finish. I saw some friends cheering for me and I LOST IT. I was a sobbing mess. I couldn’t believe I was going to finish. I tried to pick up my pace so I could run over the finish line. My running coach had to clear the course since she wasn’t officially running, but she made her way around and was waiting for me when I crossed. She took a medal from one of the volunteers and told them she wanted to be the one to give it to me and told me I had earned it. Ugh, I get teary just thinking about how kind she was to me.
So there will be a redemption race. On the one hand I’m sorry this is how my first marathon will be defined. On the other hand, I’m pretty damn proud I finished. And hey, the next one has GOT to be a PR, right??
Hey marathoner, congrats! Sorry your hip didn't want to cooperate but you survived and that's what matters!
By the way, I looked for you at that spot! There was a woman in a purple vest, but I thought you had said sweatshirt, so I wasn't sure if it could be you. I gave a little awkward wave and she was clearly confused. Nope, don't think that was you.
Post by bluedaisyus on Oct 20, 2014 22:35:57 GMT -5
I had a velour thrift store track jacket too, haha! I'm sorry your hip didn't want to cooperate, but damn you should be so proud of yourself for making it through. We have some great coaches, don't we? How awesome of her to go with you that last mile when you needed it!
This is full of so many touching, special, and tough moments. You pulled through a LOT to finish and earn your medal.
I imagine it's really hard to have an injury pop up during a race, and it's even harder to know whether to continue or pull out. I'm so impressed you stayed strong enough to carry on. A big bravo! How's the hip now? I hope you feel better soon and don't have any lasting trouble with it.
Congrats again!! Are you thinking of anything specific yet for your redemption at 26.2?
ETA: I love the velour track suit image. I'm certain you looked hardcore in that!
Such a great recap, I'm amazed at your ability to dig deep and celebrate such a wonderful accomplishment even though things didn't go quite as you planned.
omg, in tears. Thank you for sharing, congratulations, you are a MARATHONER! I am so proud of you, and once again, you have ignited my possible desire to run a full.
What an amazing recap and picture! I'm so sorry it didn't go as you had hoped, but you have so much to be proud of. The great races are much easier to run than the tough ones. It is NOT easy to dig deep and tough it out like you did. You're a marathoner!!!!! Congratulations!
You'll get the redemption, and unlike the people who have their best possible races the first time around, you'll be one of those people who gets to bust out with, like, a 45 minute PR, and THAT IS FUN!
I had a velour thrift store track jacket too, haha! I'm sorry your hip didn't want to cooperate, but damn you should be so proud of yourself for making it through. We have some great coaches, don't we? How awesome of her to go with you that last mile when you needed it!
Our coaches are the very best. I'm pretty sure my coach is the friend/coach osulori mentioned in her recap. She is just amazing.
It is so impressive to hear how you dug deep and are remaining positive about your (incredible) day even though it wasn't as you had planned. Enjoy your huge accomplishment! Congratulations!
You'll get the redemption, and unlike the people who have their best possible races the first time around, you'll be one of those people who gets to bust out with, like, a 45 minute PR, and THAT IS FUN!
THIS is what I'm hoping for!
You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for helping me put this in perspective. Someday it'll happen and now it's going to mean even more.
I had a velour thrift store track jacket too, haha! I'm sorry your hip didn't want to cooperate, but damn you should be so proud of yourself for making it through. We have some great coaches, don't we? How awesome of her to go with you that last mile when you needed it!
Our coaches are the very best. I'm pretty sure my coach is the friend/coach osulori mentioned in her recap. She is just amazing.
was it Jeanne? She's the one I saw right after I finished
Great recap! I ended up spectating at mile 18 for a while, I probably saw you
was it Jeanne? She's the one I saw right after I finished
Great recap! I ended up spectating at mile 18 for a while, I probably saw you
Yep, Jeanne. She's got a place in my heart forever now.
If you were spectating at 18 when I passed I was the zombie-looking one dragging my hip and moaning like a sad basset hound. Sound familiar?
I saw quite a few zombies at 18 I was by the tents they had set up for the encore mile patient champions, standing by a bunch of kids with balloon animals/objects/cartoon characters.
Hey marathoner, congrats! Sorry your hip didn't want to cooperate but you survived and that's what matters!
By the way, I looked for you at that spot! There was a woman in a purple vest, but I thought you had said sweatshirt, so I wasn't sure if it could be you. I gave a little awkward wave and she was clearly confused. Nope, don't think that was you.
How funny. I moved down the course some and my sweatshirt was navy, not purple. Lol. I pulled it out to put it on and hoped you were colorblind. . I looked for you but had no luck. I wish I'd found you now to lift your spirits!
Post by theoriginalbean on Oct 22, 2014 8:29:36 GMT -5
Awww, I'm tearing up just reading your recap! It's amazing how much emotion comes out on the course. Congrats on your first marathon, and hope there are many better experiences, to come!