Pensacola Marathon

I. DID. IT!!!!! It's official, I'm a marathoner! I am so very, very proud of myself. I can't believe it!! 26.2 miles at one time. Just amazing. I have come so far since I started this blog and running. Just three years ago I started the C25K with a double jogging stroller and now I'm a marathoner!
I was so nervous the week leading into the marathon. I had trouble eating and actually had to force myself to eat several times. I was a huge bundle of nerves. I had some of my Team RWB teammates come over on Friday night and we chowed down on spaghetti, ate chocolate cake, drank some wine, and made a ton of motivational signs for the marathon. Arin, Alyssa, and Laurel did a great job at helping keep my mind off the upcoming race.
Saturday Chris and the kids went with me downtown to the expo to pick up my race packet. He bought me the pink 26.2 sticker for after the race and even found the pair of patriotic socks I'd been wanting. We drove the course one more time on the way home. It felt like a long way just driving it which probably didn't help my nerves any. When I got home I crossed off the last day on my training calendar and then laid out all my race stuff. The only thing missing was my trusty Garmin which hasn't been so trusty lately. It's been struggling to last longer then 90 minutes, so there was no way it would last the marathon.

Gathering all my gear helped calm my nerves. I did the mandatory post to facebook and then logged off to unwind. I forced down some rice and chicken for dinner and then I made myself some sleepy time tea before getting to bed. Chris was so helpful with getting the kids cleaned up and in bed so that I could relax and destress.
I contribute the majority of my success on race morning to the support of Chris and the kids. They got up with me on race morning, dropped me off at the start, and then randomly popped up along the course for the next 26.2 miles. It was so wonderful having them along for my journey. It made my heart skip a beat and brought a huge smile to my face every time I spotted them along the course.
They dropped me off at the start around 540ish (race started at 630). It turned out to be a little warmer then I was expecting so I left the arm warmers in the car, but kept my throw-away gloves. I ran into some of the mom's from my playdate group before the start (Michelle, Lisa, and Jennifer). We didn't train together, but we followed each others progress online. I'm so glad we snagged a picture together at the start because we actually ended up running a lot of the race together.

Stan wanted to run the entire race with the American flag and asked if anyone wanted to run along with him to help get it done. Kelsey, Katie, and I offered to run along with him. Unfortunately, they ended up going out faster then me and I was never able to catch them. I'm sure this turned out for the best since it was my first marathon and their pace plus the added weight of the flag would've surely made the race turn out completely different for me. After watching them complete the marathon and now finishing one myself my goal for next year (because yes I want to do it again) is to run the whole thing with the American flag.

My goal from the start was to join the 5 hour pace group and try my best to stick with them. In the beginning it would be to keep me at a slower pace and in the end it would help keep me going. I did the first mile with them, but as we came up on the first hill I pulled ahead and stayed ahead for quite some time. I ran into Michelle, Jennifer, and Lisa around mile 3 and we stayed together for probably the next 10-15 miles.
I saw Chris and the kids for the first time around mile 5. They were waiting for me at the top of a steady climb.

 They were giving high 5's to the runners!

He drove past me a little bit later honking the horn with the kids cheering and waving flags - it was so awesome! I passed the 10k mark at 1:10 (11:22 pace) which was great! That meant I was successful at keeping those first few miles at a reasonable pace and not too fast.
I saw Chris and the kids for the second time around mile 11.5. He got some photos of me running with Michelle and Jennifer. We were still smiling at this point of the race.

 

We ended up losing Jennifer around mile 14. She started having a side stitch and leg cramps. Michelle and I were still feeling strong so we pressed on. I passed the half way point around 2:28 and was still feeling really strong. I had just gotten done telling Michelle that I was starting to get hungry when I came up on my running Coach Michael's beer aid station. He was there with Charlie and they were cheering and hollering. He had a pb and honey sandwich for me!!! It was so awesome. I gobbled up two quick bites then pushed on. I was getting close to the 12th avenue hill (mile 17). I was so happy when I saw Chris and the kids at the top of it!!
Katelynn ran down it and gave me a huge hug...

Then we jog/walked to the top.

She kept asking me, "Aren't we going to run Mom?!?"

 

I drank some stuff at aid station 18 that I thought was Nuun, but it didn't taste like Nuun, it tasted like Gatorade and I can't do Gatorade when I run. I ended up feeling super sick for the next several miles. I've never felt like that while running. I really wanted to take another Gu too, but I was worried that it would push me over the edge and I'd get sick and not be able to finish, so I just kept sipping on water.
Chris caught up with me right sometime in mile 18. I was still feeling okay in this first photo.

This is at mile 19 and I was just starting to feel crummy from that crap I drank. Jamie, the 5 hour pacer, had just passed me. He is just in front of me in the yellow tank top holding the pacer sign in this picture.

Mile 19, 20, and 21 all seemed extremely far apart. I never felt like I wanted to give up, I just felt like it was taking forever to reach aid stations and people. That stretch along Palafox was long and quiet. This is also the stretch when I realized how hot the race suddenly seemed. The sun was just beating on me. No shade for the rest of the race. Chris and the kids drove past me and he knew something was wrong. He drove really slow and then went ahead of me and pulled over.

 You can see the expressions on my face, I was less then thrilled.

I just kept telling myself that it was okay to walk, that I needed to enjoy this moment, don't dwell on the heat or the fact that the pacer (and Michelle) was now in front of me instead of behind.

Then just like that - Look! The kids and Chris! And this time they are waving flags and cheering and jumping up and down shouting, "Go Mommy!" Oh, I feel good. I love them so much. I can do this! I see the church, it's all downhill from there. I've run this loop lots of times. I am doing this! I can do this!!

Alright, I'm off and running again!!

I ran into downtown Palafox, caught up to Michelle, chatted with her for a bit, and pushed on. Grabbed two bites of a banana at mile 23 and no longer felt like I was going to be sick. I'm nearly there! Only a 5k to go! I so got this!!
At mile 24 I heard someone calling my name. I looked up and it was Kristy. Smile, she said. Okay, I can do that. I've got this!! 2.2 more miles to go!!!

Just past mile 25 I saw someone in a blue Team RWB shirt coming towards me with a flag. Is that Bill? What in the world is he doing? Why, he was coming to help get me to the finish. You couldn't ask for a better teammate! With only a mile to go I found Chris and the kids. Chris handed me an American flag and we all took it to the finish - Bill, Katelynn, Denver, Chris, and me. All one team.

Passed my girls Victoria, Alyssa, and Arin at a motivation station with only half a mile to go...

Every time I see these photos of that last half mile my heart just swells. It was a wonderful way to finish my first marathon. I walked a little, ran a little, cried a little, and crossed that finish line in 5:14:45!

 

 

 

My favorite photo from the entire day:

And just like that I'm a marathoner!! I chugged a chocolate milk, ate a banana, and then got some hugs from my girls...

Then Chris drove me to the Gulf and I climbed in up to my hips and just let the cold, gentle waves wash over my tired legs. We went home and I soaked in an epsom salt bath, put on my compression leg sleeves, put my feet up and marveled at all I had just accomplished. I stressed all week about all the horror stories I had heard about people running marathons. I had wondered if my longest run at 15 miles would be enough. In the end I was so thankful that I had all my toenails, no foot issues, no chafing, nothing was wrong with me other then some tired legs. Every time I stood up on Monday I was reminded about what I had just accomplished. By Tuesday I was walking in the parade and doing our Team RWB WOD with Warriors (that included sprints, squats, and box jumps) with no pain, just soreness. Today, three days after my marathon my legs feel great. What an absolutely wonderful experience. I am so proud of myself and all that I have accomplished. I can not thank my husband and children, my running Coach Michael, and my Team RWB family enough!