Settle in...my seven-month BQ story

[taratru]

I won't bore you with rehashing the last year or so before I signed up for marathon #3, which was in September.  If you're new, it is a tale fraught with injury, anger, stupidity, and finally, healing.  And that all led to this:

pandce.proboards.com/thread/369302/autopsy-aka-race-report-novel

So I decided to do Kiawah, mostly because I knew if I didn't, I'd be wondering forever what I could have done.  Thus began the extension of a 15 week plan just 12 more weeks.  Ugh.  That was probably the hardest part.  I took a week off, ran a half too soon and blew up a quad, took more time off.  It was definitely...odd.  There were days it was fine and days I wanted to quit.  I really didn't know if I had it in me to make it to taper.  But you guys knew I could.  

After fighting a cold and exhaustion for the week (including a day off of work on Tuesday) I arrived in Charleston on Thursday.  Stayed with the girls in a suite that night.  I knew I would have to be good leading up to Saturday in terms of sleep and drinking and food, which was SO hard!  I just wanted to party with my new friends.  I went to bed early on Thursday and slept in on Friday before heading out for a gorgeous 2.5-ish mile shakeout.  I did have a drink on Thursday and a mimosa on Friday, but was a good girl.  Wanted to wander Charleston, but was good and only walked a little bit before heading out to Kiawah. You all read about the amazingness of that part, so I won't overkill.  I guess.    I didn't have any drinks Friday night with our pizza (even though I realllllly wanted to!).  Tried to drink a ton of water. Went to bed early, but didn't go to sleep until well after midnight.  My mind was just spinning, not with anything really race-related, just...stuff.  Finally I fell asleep and woke up before my alarm at about 5:50.  

Got up, headed downstairs and had a banana and pb and half a pb Clif bar with water.  It was so cool to hang out with other runners in the morning!  Usually I'm on my own before a race, ya know?  That was a really great start.  There was a shuttle coming at 7, so I had big plans to braid my hair, which didn't happen.  Instead, I just sat and listened to the chatter.  Oops!  The shuttle came and I realized I really wasn't ready to go!  I didn't have my bib on, I hadn't thought about my bag to check...oh well.  No panicking occurred.  I just grabbed my stuff and got on the shuttle. 

We went inside one of the buildings near the start, which was great, because it was chilly outside.  Sat in a corner on the floor with lb2006 and clseale and was just...quiet.  Everyone else was there too, which was just...comforting? Hit the porta potties outside, tossed my bag in the little tent they had set up and then headed out to the start.  I thought the start was right near the finish, but the 5:00 pacer was there, so we had a ways to go!  I finally found al320 and ebeth, who were starting with the 3:45 pacer for their half.  Also awesome to see them.  Well, blah blah, the start happened and we were off! 

My plan was to stick with the 3:45 pacer through the half and then start to pull away.  I knew I would feel awesome the first part because of altitude and taper, so I really wanted to keep myself in check.  Our first mile was 9:14...traffic was pretty heavy in that first couple of miles. ebeth and al320 were right there the whole time.  Our pacer was inexperienced (he told me that later), so he tried to pick it up after that and I almost just let him go.  So our next three miles were in the 8:10s with an 8:04 mile 4.  Our group was pretty much gone at that point, but he was back on schedule and did slow down a bit.  So I settled in with him for the next few miles.   Told him my plan and he said if I was still with him at 20, he'd be rude to get rid of me.    I liked him. Every out and back the rest of the race, he waved and encouraged me.  

On the first out and back, I saw mrshandy and clseale and they looked amazing!  After the turnaround, I hooked up with a woman who was running her second marathon and was "why the heck not?" trying for a 3:45.  I told her my plan and that she was welcome to run with me if she wanted to.  She ended up with me through 13 and then right behind me until about 16.  I think she finished in 3:55, which was awesome!  Anyhoo....on the way back I saw some more of our lovely ladies, which was just so fun!

After the halfers turned left, things quieted down.  I'd already had my music in since mile 3-ish(?), but turned it up at that point.  I had been about 25 meters in front of the pace group since about mile 7, and I started to pull away. Nothing dramatic, I just wanted to settle into a comfy pace.  I'd check my watch every couple of miles and always saw 8:1x-8:2x, so I was good.  Went through the half about 1:51, so I knew it was good.  And I felt good.  And I just kept telling myself, "this is happening today!  this is happening today!"  However, I know the marathon can be a fickle ass bitch, so I needed to just stay calm and consistent.  
So I did.  I can't really tell you anything about miles 13-21...they were comfortable.  They were strong.  I talked to a couple more people.  I saw hannahb on every out and back and we cheered for each other.  I liked seeing the people out of their houses.  I took water at every station.  I took Gu at about 7.5, 15, 21.  It was sort of a surreal race.  My body felt the marathon.  I mean, my legs were just on that autopilot that is born of marathon pain, but my lungs were still working.  It made me want to go faster, but it was so hard to do that.  I started to do math in my head and figured that I could go 3:41 for sure if I just kept going.  At no point did I want to stop or quit or back off and at no point did I think I couldn't do this.

At just past mile 22, clseale appeared, just like she said she would.  This was so amazing, you guys.  I started getting super emotional then...like the awkward cry-while-running thing, which I had to push down quickly.  She was so great.  I don't remember much of what we talked about (well, what she was talking to me about), but it was just what I needed.  Then, runblondie26 was there and we all ran together.  At some point, I was in front and they were behind me and I said out loud, "I can feel you back there!" which probably sounded creepy, but I was so grateful to have them.  As we came up to 24/25/26, I was struggling mentally.  But then I saw a crowd of h&f friends and that was a boost.  And even though I was getting SO PISSED at the "this course is a damn quarter mile long!", I knew I could finish.  clseale peeled off right before 26, which left me alone for about half a mile.  And it was HARD to do.  But I put my head down and just worked to the last corner.  At that point, I could hear the finish line and I started to celebrate.

As I turned that last corner, I started grinning like a damn fool and I'm pretty sure (even though there aren't any pictures of it) there was significant awkward fist pumping.  I saw the clock say 3:40 and I knew I was almost a minute behind it, which was shocking.  My official time so far is 3:39:32, but they still haven't updated, so it'll change, but it won't change that I got my +5:00 BQ and I'm prooooobably going.  I crossed the line into the arms of lauren170 and @kirkette who were full of hugs and cheers.  I sobbed with joy.  Someone handed me a medal.  Some guy was like "are you ok?" and I said, "I'm GOOD!"

Then I found all the girls, called DH to tell him, grabbed a coffee and a cider, and wandered around.  I had promised myself if I BQd, I'd buy some cute Kiawah gear, so I had carried my debit card during the race to do that.  I went inside and bought a sweatshirt.  I signed up for a massage, but the wait was too long, so I went back out and found the girls.  We walked back to the house on the beach and you guys watched the rest happen already.

Whew!  That was a lot.  Here's some highlights:
*I LOVED this course.  I'm not sure I will ever find a course more suited for what I like: shade everywhere, flat, cool stuff to look at.  I wasn't sure I'd like the multiple out and backs, but I really did. It made things feel faster than just a straight shot.
*Having the support of the H&F crew was beyond words.  I probably would have made it without them, but I wouldn't have made it with such joy and love.  This really does need to be a yearly thing.  Everyone deserves that experience.
*The race itself? Well, I have feedback for them about some things, but really...for the price?  This is a great race.  
*Here's what's weird: I didn't focus on the goals here.  I mean, yes, I wanted that 3:42/BQ, but I was totally fine with not getting it.  There were lots of things that happened in the weeks leading up to the race that I could have let freak me out, but I wanted to *not* focus so hard.  I've noticed over the last year or so that when I just go in with the expectation that I'm going to just run hard and see what happens, I do very well.  I'm learning to trust the training.  For this race, I feel like I made a smart race plan and then executed it.  But more importantly, I trained wonderfully and I knew it.  

So what's next until April of 2016?  Right now, I just took the entire week off, even though I wanted to run on Tuesday.  I felt great after this race.  I want to focus on strength and cross training for a month or so and then get back to it.  I want to focus on the half...do some actual speedwork, maybe?  I'm looking at an April half.  Then we'll see...typical summer of 10 and 5ks, a couple of halfs in there...mostly just stay healthy and injury free.  It feels SO WEIRD to have accomplished this huge goal.  I don't think I truly believed I could do what I did.  But now I did, and in typical runner fashion am already wondering how much more I can do.  

God bless you if you made it through this.  I can't thank you guys enough for your support in 2014.  Seriously, you're all a major reason behind any of my growth and success.  

[hannahb]

Love reading this! Congrats again! I too, was dreading the out and backs, but ended up loving them.

[runaways]

Congratulations again on a hard-earned race. You are amazing! And thanks for posting this today; it was just what I needed to read to get it up for my long run in a little while.

[lauren170]

I feel lucky to share that moment with you, knowing the months and months of hard work that went into that.

[jillybean222]

Congrats again!!!! Great recap!!

[G22]

Love your recap! Congrats again on your awesome BQ!

[Mushe]

Such a great story and recap! I love the support this group brings.

[kams]

This recap is fabulous. I'm just so damn happy for you. You are so patient and persistent, and I admire your work ethic and no bullshit attitude about training and racing.

I really loved reading about the emotions you felt when clseale and runblondie26 showed up, and when you saw all of the other girls throughout the course and at the finish line, and how you mentioned that everyone should have that experience. It reminds me of a race that was special to me, that you drove way out of your way to, braved the crowds and my family, to be there with signs and hugs that were so incredibly meaningful to me (I'm crying, dammit). And then also how you mentioned it was just comforting to hang with the girls before the race. Just like I felt seeing your smiling face before my first marathon. The goodness goes around and it's really special.
**i hope it doesn't sound like I'm talking all about myself - my intention is to let you know how you've done those things so well for me and for others**

I can't wait to see how your journey continues to and beyond April 16

[skwcm80]

I'm still as excited for you today as I was a week ago. You were amazing, congratulations!!!
Thank you for posting a recap, you are an inspiration.

[cinco]

Yay! Best BQ ever! So happy to read this recap.

[spunkypenguin]

Love everything about this! Great recap and congrats again!

[taratru]

Dec 20, 2014 14:28:07 GMT -5 kams said:

This recap is fabulous. I'm just so damn happy for you. You are so patient and persistent, and I admire your work ethic and no bullshit attitude about training and racing.

I really loved reading about the emotions you felt when clseale and runblondie26 showed up, and when you saw all of the other girls throughout the course and at the finish line, and how you mentioned that everyone should have that experience. It reminds me of a race that was special to me, that you drove way out of your way to, braved the crowds and my family, to be there with signs and hugs that were so incredibly meaningful to me (I'm crying, dammit). And then also how you mentioned it was just comforting to hang with the girls before the race. Just like I felt seeing your smiling face before my first marathon. The goodness goes around and it's really special.
**i hope it doesn't sound like I'm talking all about myself - my intention is to let you know how you've done those things so well for me and for others**

I can't wait to see how your journey continues to and beyond April 16

OMG. Now *i'm* crying! I love that...I was just proud of you and felt lucky to share your day

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations again!! You were amazing out there and looked so strong coming across the finish line. You absolutely deserved that BQ. I can't wait to see you run another marathon but in Boston this time.

I tried so damn hard to get a picture of the fist pumping but the silly race officials kept getting in the way.

[Susie]

This whole story is so amazing. So happy for you.

[thom]

This is so wonderful. A truly happy ending after a lot of time, effort, and dreams. And of course you're still ready for more! That surreal feeling when a run is going really well is such a great thing. It's even better when it all comes together and happens on race day. I'm happy it stayed cool enough temperature-wise for you too.

Congrats all the way around!!

[labbie]

I love this recap! I got all teary-eyed and just couldn't be happier for you about this goal!!! And to have it happen in such a great race with great H&F friends and that support- frosting on the cake.
Congratulations  <) (high5) :beer:

[gt7301b]

I am so happy for you, I may be crying!

I hope you'll let me crash your GTG in 2016

[jene]

I love this! You are such an inspiration, it's been a long road for you to get here, but you have stuck with it and have had such a great attitude about everything! I am so happy for you, definitely a well deserved BQ.

[clseale]

I love every word of this! I'm so happy that you were able to find your calm before the race, because I swear, BQs happen when you can manage to not freak the fuck out. It was true for me, and you proved it was true for you. You just seemed to be in a really great place for this race. There was a very comforting calm as I sat on the floor pre-race, with you & lb2006. I just knew it was going to be a great day.

I'm so proud of you, and so happy I was able to share it with you. It was awesome to be able to join you on the course. Best mile 22-26 of a marathon, EVER! Congratulations! You earned every joyous, pain-filled, fought for, second. Enjoy it. I really hope I see you before Boston, but if not, see you in 16 months!

[CallingAllAngels]

Great recap! I was so happy to be there with you last weekend.

[jordylee]

I love this recap so so much. Congratulations on not only getting, but absolutely CRUSHING your BQ. I am also loving all the H&F love... sounds like you guys had such an amazing time!

[juliabug]

Beautiful recap! Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm so happy for you and your BQ!

[jchokie79]

Awesome recap and it's so great to see hard work does pay off! Congratulations again, it was an amazing experience!

[mrshandy]

Another fabulous recap from a fabulous lady! I'm so happy that I was there to experience it with you. I'm a little sad that I couldn't see you at the finish line. It was awesome to meet you out there and then I was like oh shit. I'm stuck out here. No way was I going to keep pace for the next 3 miles with you. Ha!

Congrats on persevering and making it through after everything. Your amazing attitude and positivity inspires me to be a better runner and to keep things in perspective.

Can't wait for another H&F GTG in Boston in April 2016!!

[adcobe]

Amazing recap! Congrats on achieving the BQ, you have worked so hard for this. You are a true inspiration.

[melmel48]

Congrats!!!! Michelle told me earlier today that you had posted your story, so I had to come and read it!

[nichelobe]

Congratulations x 1000000! This is so inspiring. I'm so excited for you! I love that you had this experience with so many friends that understood what you had accomplished!

[Raggedeannie]

taratru you are a freakin' rock star. Way to get out there and kill it -- I'm so glad that so many of our H&F gals were there to cheer you all the way from start to finish.

[sadlebred]

I loved reading your recap. Congratulations!!!

[lb2006]

so, SO proud of you!!!!