It was disastrous, but I did it!

[katyintx]

(Quick reminder - I came in last week asking what to do to get over my sickness because I had my first marathon on Saturday and had been sick all week.)

Well, I finished!  I went to bed at 9:15 on Friday, EXHAUSTED from half a day of work. I was still (and am still) coughing up stuff from my lungs but overall felt okay. Waking up on Saturday, I wasn't even excited, or anxious like I usually am for the half.  I just felt nauseous.  My husband and I started out together, but at about mile 2.5 I looked at him and told him I was already so tired.  Not good. He thought I was being a baby and ran ahead.  

Miles 2.5 - 10 were probably about how healthy people feel about 13.2 - 20ish. Tired, but not drained. Mile 10 I hit the wall.  Yes, the wall came at mile-freaking-TEN!  The only thing that kept me going was being so pissed at my husband, because when he left me he essentially said it was because I was quitting.  I've never wanted to prove anyone wrong so much in my life.  It ended up being a 16.2 mile mind game, which I do not recommend to anyone.  I finished a solid hour behind where I wanted to be (I wanted 4-4:15), but I finished the marathon.  At one point though, when I was probably about .5 out from being done, I couldn't even remember what race I was running or where I was.  I thought I was doing the Bolder Boulder!  

Overall, it was a disappointing first marathon experience.  The most frustrating part was that my lungs felt fine and my legs weren't killing me, but i just couldn't go any harder or faster.  I'm already planning a redemption marathon, because I know I can shave at least an hour off of my time!  I just have to make sure I don't get malaria or pneumonia the week before...  

[woowoo]

That will be one helluva PR the next time! CONGRATS. Seriously you should be tremendously proud of yourself for even attempting, let alone powering through that! Amazing.

[Susie]

Congrats on finishing under tough circumstances. That is a huge mental toughness accomplishment. Plus your next marathon will be an awesome PR.

What your H said was a pretty dick move, but try not to hold it against him too much. I think anything said mid-endurance race is non-binding. Hopefully he is apologetic. (If not, that part I do not forgive!)

[finallykrisb]

Congrats on finishing! The weather was horrible Saturday and I felt badger everyone racing that day.

[clseale]

Good for you! Congrats, marathoner. I'm sorry it wasn't all you hoped it would be (and that your DH picked the world's worst time to act like an ass), but you should be very proud of yourself for toughing it out, and not quitting.

Your first one is behind you! Hopefully you learned some things that you can take with you into your next one, and fingers crossed that you'll be feeling much better for your next race day!

[kams]

Congratulations on finishing - what an incredible mental battle! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised next time.

I kind of want to hulk smash your H.

[hannahb]

Congrats. Either way you're a marathoner!

[emilyj]

Congratulations - I am in awe of marathoners anyway, but to do one when you have been sick? Amazing.

Your husband kind of deserves a nut punch. I hope he apologized to you.

[G22]

Seriously, congrats! Despite how crappy the run seemed, you finished. Way to go!

[katyintx]

Thanks all! The husband got a bit of karma - he started cramping really bad around mile 20.

[runaways]

Great job finishing! The second one is so much better than the first, and you're set for a huge improvement! Which race did you run, if you don't mind me asking (I'm in Texas as well) (unless maybe you aren't in Texas anymore).

[skwcm80]

Congrats!! You are awesome for making it despite all of the setbacks.

[gt7301b]

Congrats, you did a great job! The marathon can be such an evil temptress.

[agswife]

Wow. You're bad ass. The mental mind game we sometimes play with ourselves while running sucks. You overcame it. Nicely done!

[katyintx]

Mar 3, 2014 19:51:17 GMT -5 runaways said:

Great job finishing! The second one is so much better than the first, and you're set for a huge improvement! Which race did you run, if you don't mind me asking (I'm in Texas as well) (unless maybe you aren't in Texas anymore).

I did The Woodlands Marathon. It was a decent course, a little hillier than I thought it was going to be, but overall I thought it was put on very well.  

[taratru]

Congratulations!!!!

[libbygrl109]

Congrats for making it through!

[sassystace]

Way to fight through! Sorry you didn't feel well but I'm impressed you finished. You've mastered the mental side of the marathon--next time hopefully your body will cooperate.

[runblondie26]

Wow, way to power through that! It can only get better from here. Congrast on joining the "marathon club"!

[tuggyruns]

Congrats! Tough conditions all around, but way to gut it out!

[runaways]

Mar 3, 2014 20:12:38 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Mar 3, 2014 19:51:17 GMT -5 runaways said:

Great job finishing! The second one is so much better than the first, and you're set for a huge improvement! Which race did you run, if you don't mind me asking (I'm in Texas as well) (unless maybe you aren't in Texas anymore).

I did The Woodlands Marathon. It was a decent course, a little hillier than I thought it was going to be, but overall I thought it was put on very well.  

Oh good to know if I end up staying in Houston!

[cinco]

Oh man, that sounds rough. You should be extremely proud of toughing it out. Congrats, marathoner!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations on finishing! You finished, while you were sick. Best of luck on the next one!

[greenmonster]

Congratulations!

[wanderlustmom]

Congrats! You did it; that's all that matters. It's a marathon and you are already thinking of number two.

[shauni27]

you FINISHED! in what sounds like not an ideal situation! YOU ARE A MARATHONER! Congratulations, be proud of what you accomplished