Well, I finished! And I didn't walk, which was goal #1! Most of you know that I had major blister problems in the last few months and that I only ran 5 times between December 18 and today. Honestly, I was just stoked to finish!
My A goal was a PR (4:28 or better), B was faster than my first marathon (4:38) - it has been five years, a pregnancy, cancer, shit..., or C just freaking run the whole time.
Well, I finished in 4:47, which set no land speed records, but I'm good with it. I didn't walk, and I have come a long way since September 2012 when I couldn't run for more than 5 minutes at a time after chemo/radiation. I've decided to call this a victory.
H and I ran together for the whole race - he could have smoked me, but he is freaking awesome.
The Dubai Marathon was interesting. The expo was lackluster. No vendors. Only giveaway was 250 ml bottles of water and full size boxes of tissues (the residents of Dubai seem to have a strange infatuation with tissues). The race didn't have much music on the course, but a choice song 'Another One Bites the Dust' played at mile 13... Poor choice. On the bright side it had my favorite sign ever 'Smile if you aren't wearing underwear!' at mile 23. Someone please use this sign in the future!
All in all I was happy with it. Obviously I would have preferred my A or B goal to be met, but I know that I have come a long way since barely being able to Ru ~2 years ago and now, and considering my epic blister problem over the past few months, I'm happy with it.
I think the big question is when I will marathon again. (I told H at mile 25 - 'don't you ever let me do this again', but I'm thinking about it already.)
Post by emilyinchile on Jan 23, 2015 10:00:31 GMT -5
Congratulations for meeting your goal despite all of the problems you had during training! Aside from the blisters, I know you had to work pretty hard to deal with the temperature and just getting the workouts in around work and childcare. Great job!
Congrats! Sounds like you did great, especially with all the blister issues you've had recently!
What's up with the tissues?
Dude I don't know. Like serious obsession with tissues. They have boxes for sale at every gas pump (all full serve - tank of gas , box of tissues - fill 'er up).
I wish I could like this post 1,000 times. I love everything about it...your attitude, the oddities that come with a foreign marathon, your DH's support, the famous "I'm never doing this again....but wait, now that I'm done, this race might be fun." You are so strong and amazing. I think it is safe to say that we are all pretty damn proud of you. Congratulations.
ETA: I'm cracking up at the song, because more than once, I have had 'Running On Empty' pop into my head. Not the best!
I am so proud of you lady!! Congrats on all you have come through in the past few years to get to that finish line. Not walking is also a huge victory. I usually can not claim that. How sweet that your H stayed with you. I always get the impression that you two are a great team.
How did your feet hold up? I hope you can transition to some better shoes for you before you do any more long distance training.
Were you cold at the start, or did it just feel refreshing? I hope you didn't freeze in the corrals!
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
buffaloeggs.blogspot.com 2016 Races: Hop Hop Half Marathon 2:05:09 Pac Crest Half Ironman 7:13:40 9/10 Aluminum Man Oly Tri 11/27 Space Coast Half Marathon