26.2 x 5Not thinking once about how many calories I'm eating at our pasta dinner the night before (this year we had take out from the Olive Garden) * going to bed too late and then waking up every hour * the long, slow bus ride to the starting line (and watching all those miles pass that you know you have to run) * waiting in line for the port-a-potty * trying not to gag in the port-a-potty * reliving everybody's past port-a-potty (or lack there-of) stories * getting pumped up with the crazy music they play at the starting line * seeding ourselves hopefully with the 4-hour pace team * the jumbled first few miles in the dark surrounded by too many people and feeling numb from cold and excitement * the rise of the sun over Veyo hill * the gorgeous view of Snow Canyon that gives me a second wind * seeing Mr. Norton at 16 * those lovely, lovely people with ICY HOT * hitting the wall at 21 * my throat closing off as I get emotional imagining seeing someone I know SOON (please!) * the city finally coming into view * the cold rags and ice at 25 * someone shouting my name at 26 * that glorious balloon arch * the soft spring stepping on the timing mat * the medal around my neck * the Drumstick and Great Harvest wheat bread with tons of butter * and finally, SITTING DOWN!
This year was the first that I did not beat my previous year's time. I trained well (resistance training with my awesome double jogger!), although I did miss my 18-miler thanks to a ridiculous cold that wouldn't go away. But I was still hopeful. I resolved not to start out too fast as I'm wont to do, and I knew my average minutes-per-mile was was about a minute faster than last year. I was so lucky to be running with Jody, Paige, and Debbie, my long-time running buddies and some of the funniest girls I know, and we resolved to stay together as long as possible. They made those first 12 miles fly by (think used gloves and Imodium!). But as I emerged from the port-a-potty at 12, I noticed the 5-hour pacers passing by me, and felt a wave of disappointment. I hadn't realized I was that far behind my goal. I had promised Jody I would leave her if I felt like I could go faster, and not wanting to "stress [her] out", I decided it was time. I turned on my iPod and set those 5-hour balloons in my sights. The exhilaration of passing every single person in front of me was enough to keep me going strong for the next seven miles. After that my right foot starting aching terribly (Christian says it's probably just tendinitis, but I still can't walk right!) and I slowed a little. I hit the wall at 21, like always, but I still felt I was ahead of my usual second-half pace. And seeing my boys, my parents, Dita and Gordon, T and Veddy, and Aunt Winza made that last .2 seem like nothin'. It was definitely my best second half yet. And I did meet my goal--I finished! I missed my previous time by 11 minutes, but it was so worth it. I got to run the first half with my heroes. What a pleasure and privilege it was to run with you ladies. How precious those 11 minutes are to me.
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My marathon play list gave me a few things to think about as I ran. These are actual quotes from songs I ran to:"If you don't run you rust. " -Tom Petty"She's a runner, rebel and a stunner." -Red Hot Chili Peppers
"We live in a beautiful world." -Coldplay
"Sun is in the sky oh why-oh-why would I want to be anywhere else?" -Lily Allen
"Call me King of the Mountain." -Midnight Oil"She don't care about time. Time gets in her way." -Tom Petty"Love is a long, long road." -Tom Petty
"But I'm not tired, I'm not tired." -Ben Folds
"Is it any wonder I'm tired?" -Keane"I wanna run, but I can't do that anymore." -Shawn Colvin"The biggest things we gotta face alone." -Ben Folds"I can't give up without a fight." -Shawn Colvin"They said, Don't let me down." -Boy Kill Boy"It's all right, 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown." -Frou Frou
P.S. I missed you SO MUCH, Cree! Imagining you waiting for me at the end was what got me through this year, even though I knew you weren't there. Sad, I know, but it worked!
