I'm sorry you had a less than spectacular race experience. that's a bummer after 18 weeks to have all the stars alighn against you like that. but you finished! you saw it through to the end! congrats!
Eh, I don't know. For FL runners this actually is a fairly popular BQ course. I know a good number of people who have gotten a BQ on it. I also think that with many people training during the summer for that race, even if it's warm, it's not as warm as what many people were running in through August, even outside of FL. The humidity (when you're not used to it) will slow you down every time, and it sounds like that's what hit you the hardest. Last year the weather was awesome. As with many races, you just don't know for sure.
ETA: I can think of a few Dec/Jan/Feb races in FL that would also be as flat/fast, but have the odds of slightly better weather. Jacksonville Bank is a great one. You have to remember, Space Coast is a small race. There aren't going to be a lot of BQs in comparison to bigger races, but the percentage is relatively high.
Okay, so when I was writing this? I was definitely a hot mess of tears all over again. And now after reading everyone's heartfelt responses I'm crying again. So thanks for that, lol.
A couple of epilogue notes and answers to questions:
I started thinking about Kathrine Switzer when I saw the official demographics for Firenze. Out of 11k runners, less than 1700 were women. That really jarred me. I didn't know if Italians just didn't support women runners (especially if they were't "elite"), so I read up on Kathrine and her Boston adventure, and also watched her documentaries on how she helped the fight for Title IX and to get the women's marathon as an Olympic event. She is incredibly inspiring and I thought of her hardships when I was running, finally, at Space Coast.
For those of you that are in the "someday" category for the 26.2, or are kind of surprised at how very zen I was throughout this entire ordeal, I'll say this: Do it as soon as you are able. I was on the fence for the distance for over a year, with strong urges to try for one after I had been healthy/uninjured/in the right mindset for about a year. It was scary to pull the trigger, but when I did I felt an instant rush of relief, not dread. Training was so fulfilling, seeing progress little by little over 18 weeks, and by the end of the day little things that would have usually bothered me were nothing. I had the attitude of "well dang, if I can run 22 miles, I can get over x or y that is bugging me".
As far as thinking about a future marathon, I've got two in mind. They're not until next fall, because I have this crazy thing called a dissertation that I need to get cranking on, but they're out there. Chicago is my goal race- I think I would appreciate the profile of that race way more than Space Coast, with the familiar territory, larger crowd support, wider roads, better aid stations, and overall a more "epic" kind of race experience. I think I'm one of those people that needs a bigger environment the longer the distance, and that was kind of lacking at SC. The fallback if I don't get into Chicago is Wineglass, mostly from the recommendations of the ladies on the board here. Different race profile from Chicago, but it's also familiar territory for me.
Okay, time to hobble over towards the tissue box. Again, and I can't say this enough- there's no way I could have thought about, signed up for, and finished my first marathon without all the love and support this board has to offer. Thank you all so much <3
This is where I am. I have been seriously considering Chicago next year, but can't seem to commit. If I'm honest, I'm terrified to run a full. But your post may have just convinced me.
Awesome recap, congrats on a major accomplishment and overcoming so much to reach your goal. You hit the nail on the head with the switch to a love for running from the way it is so often used as a punishment (by evil coaches), and not sure what made me tear up more....the national anthem, your dh and finish line volunteer, or your mom being with you along the way.
I do know that someday in the future when I'm struggling on a run or during a race (hopefully someday a marathon) that I'll think about your post and the quote, and tell myself to keep on going.