For the past 4 months or so, I've been preparing to tackle my toughest run to date: the Grand Rapids Marathon. I completed that goal this past Sunday and could not be more proud of myself. You can read my race report here (lots of pictures & even some video!). I even feel pretty much back to "normal" physically (mentally is a subject for another post).
I've talked a lot about how my online community of friends (along with my friends and family here) have been so incredibly supportive of me in this journey. During the race, I had my phone with me but had turned off the notifications for Twitter and Facebook. I figured a few people would be encouraging me as I ran and I didn't want it to distract me from the task at hand, which was "left foot, right foot, lather, rinse, repeat". I tweeted a couple times late in the race and saw lots of mentions but I didn't read them at the time. When I finished the race and sent a tweet that I was finished and officially a marathoner, I was shocked to see how many mentions I had.
146 mentions during the course of the race. That, my friends, is support. I don't have a clue what the total number was by the end of the day or how many comments I had through Facebook, but it was huge. This is what having an online community of friends is all about. Support. Love. Encouragement. For this, I thank you. MWAH
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin to describe/recap my first full marathon?!?! This is something I've been training for since June, but really, all the running I've done in the past 5 years or so (when I said I'd NEVER run a marathon) have led up to this moment.
The day started out like most race mornings. The alarm going off WAY too freaking early and me trying to down some food and fluids. I got all dolled up in my My Race Ragz custom t-shirt and purple Team Sparkle skirt. I may not feel great running this marathon, but you better believe I'll be adorable doing it!
We left the house a little after 6 with the goal to be downtown around 6:30 so I could find Pete and Megan (never did find Keith or Steve), use the bathrooms 465 times, and relax a bit. The weather driving downtown was abysmal.
My hubby, Mike, and dad came down to see me off. Dad gave me a kiss and then ended up waiting in the car because the weather was still a bit rainy, but Mike was there and video'd my start. Thankfully, the real rain had stopped and we just had some sprinkles for the start of the race.
Miles 1-4 take us through a loop around the downtown Grand Rapids area. At the beginning of the race, I started chatting with a girl named Jessica who was also doing her first marathon. She wanted to try and maintain a 12 m/m pace and that's what I was hoping to start out with. We chatted and kept trying to reign each other in. Around mile 2, I saw my friends Angie (who BQ'd at the Chicago Marathon last weekend - ROCKSTAR!!!) and Joe with a sign that said, "If it was easy, everyone would do it". So totally awesome!. We made it through town and headed south toward the outer reaches of the course. Thankfully, the rain had stopped and we had cloudy skies with just a little bit of wind. (Splits: 11:36, 11:37, 11:47, 11:41)
Miles 5-10 head us out into the reaches of the Grand Rapids park system. We ran through Butterworth Park (known to some as the Serengeti) and I took a potty break at about mile 6.5. I rounded the corner at mile 7 and was shocked to see Mike, Joe and Angie here! It was a great boost (Angie's sign said "You know you want me" with a picture of the marathon medal - um YEP, I did!) and I gave everyone quick hugs and kept on my way. There's a pretty steady climb from miles 5 to 7 and again from 8 to 9 and my legs were starting to feel the pain. At mile 10, we headed into Millennium Park. (Splits: 11:36, 11:41, 12:19 (potty break!), 11:05 (extra energy from seeing friends & fam?), 11:39, 11:25)
Miles 11-13 are run around the lake in Millennium Park and then along the north side of the Grand River. At this point I was starting to walk some and my legs were feeling really tired. I was pretty much abandoning my original time goal (which in all honesty, was too ambitious to begin with). I've never run the trails here and it was absolutely beautiful. I go to that beach in the summer, but had never seen it from the other side before!
Just before mile 12, at the top of the steepest hill on the course, was my friend Mel, with a sign that read "Run Hooker Run" (inside joke). She made me run up that hill to give her a hug!
I came out of Millennium Park and headed toward Veteran's Memorial Parkway (which is part road/part trail system). As I came upon the aide station just past mile 12 I heard "Mrs. F!!!!!" It was two of my students who happened to be working the station! OMG these two girls absolutely made my day when they screamed my name and ran up to give me a hug. One of their moms was there too and I got a giant hug and a "get moving" from her. This was one of the biggest highlights of my race. When I hit the 1/2 way point and saw my time was around 2:35, I knew, feeling as tired as I was, that I was not going to finish in under 5 hours. Seeing the girls just before this and remembering Kirsten's advice to "enjoy the miles" helped me relax and not stress about the time anymore. I knew it was going to be hard, but I'd finish the race. (Splits: 13:14, 11:32, 11:32)
Miles 14-20 are essentially an out and back portion run on the Kent Trails system. Just before mile 14 you cross the river and begin running along the south bank. I'm familiar with the roads from doing so many training runs (plus the River Bank Run uses this too) so I was looking forward to this part of the course. Also, because it's an out and back, I was able to see many of the speedy runners and saw my friend Pete for a few seconds. Right around mile 15, I also saw Angie, Joe, and Mike again (oh, and Murphy the dog was with them too!). I grabbed some pickle juice, got hugs and kisses, and kept on my way. To date, my longest race was the RBR 25k (15.5 miles). This section was very tough mentally. I was still running quite a bit, but my legs were really starting to hurt. All the runners coming the other direction motivated me to keep moving, and that's what I did. At about 17.5 you loop around and head back the way you came. I was tired and walking a lot. I came back to the pickle juice station and there was Angie. I started to cry and she told me to STOP and keep moving and ran with me. She said you don't get to mile 18 in a marathon and give up. At this point, run-walk-crawl-finish. She was headed to her son's basketball game but would talk to me later. I kept plugging along, definitely walking a lot more than I wanted to (my legs were starting to cramp up, but the pickle juice seemed to be helping). I hit the mile 20 sign and realized I was headed into uncharted territory but I really didn't feel that bad. I tweeted: "20 mile warm up complete. Time to run (using that term loosely) a 10k. I've done tons of those. Right? Also, can't wait to read your tweets." When I tweeted at miles 15, 18 and 20, I saw how many mentions I had from my friends all around the country (world even) supporting me and it lifted me in ways you guys will never know. (Splits: 12:03, 12:28, 13:11, 12:39, 12:37, 14:39, 12:58).
Miles 21-23 were very tough for me mentally and physically. I hit the mat at 21 and then looped back around and back across the river onto Veteran's. There weren't many people out here and it was pretty lonely. I worked to run at least a 1/4 mile at a time, but even this was getting tough. I kept looking at the wristbands I was wearing, with so many of my supporters/friends names written on them. I could do this. At mile 23 I tweeted "23 done. Just over a 5k to go. And the sun is out!" I called my daughter to let her know where I was. Just past mile 23 I saw Angie. Here I thought she had gone to her son's game, but no. She was going to get me to that finish line no matter what. (Splits: 13:28, 12:42, 13:09)
Miles 24-26.2 Angie and I headed back into the Serengeti and this time it was up hill. Angie encouraged me to run by pointing out targets: an aide station - where I saw my friend Mark from church & got a hug, an American flag, a runner to pass. You get the idea. We snapped some photos.
24.5 photo courtesy of Mark
The sun had come out and it was getting warm. But I only had a mile to go! The wind was also picking up, but thank goodness it wasn't like Saturday's 30 mph winds! Angie ran with me until we could see the finish line about 1/2 a mile in the distance. She told me she'd see me on the other side and was gone. In the last 1/2 mile, I saw Mel again. She ran out and gave me a big hug. Then, with less than a 1/4 mile to go, my kids joined me. They gave me high-fives and said they wanted to run with me to the end.
I crossed the finish line with my children on each side of me (actually beating my track star daughter!). My dad, Mike, Joe and Angie were yelling for me at the fence. The announcer read my name. At the finish line, I saw my friend Judi (who is on staff with the Grand Rapids Marathon).
I held onto Judi and we cried. Then I got a hug from race director Don Kern (he hugs EVERYBODY who crosses!). It was so awesome to have her there at the end because she was one of the first people who really encouraged me to go outside my comfort zone and sign up for this marathon. She even got a medal from a volunteer and hung my medal around my neck. I Am A Marathoner. Cue more tears.
I wish I could remember what songs were playing through my earbuds at different points because so many times, the song that shuffled in was exactly what I needed at that moment. I know I had "Firework" at the 5k mark and "Lose Yourself" as I entered Millennium Park. "Don't Stop Believing" played 3 times during the race (3 different versions - 2 Glee plus the original). I tried to remember what some of the random signs were along the course, but other than the ones my friends made, I really can't remember any. What I remember most is the feeling on accomplishment when I crossed that finish line. That, and knowing I had so many friends and family cheering me on, both IRL and through twitter and facebook. I couldn't have done this without all of your love, support and encouragement.
(Final splits: 14:10, 12:46, 13:52, and a 9:57 *holy crap* for the last 1/4 mile or so - my Garmen ran a little long)
I love cooking in our antique Griswold cast iron skillets. Chili & corn bread - YUM
Tuesday
10-11-11
Watched D & K's marching band take a Division I (like an A) rating at Marching Band Festival.
Wednesday
10-12-11
Trying to eat healthy this week!
Thursday
10-13-11
OK, so maybe not THAT healthy. I only had one three.
Friday
10-14-11
Carb loading - Friday Night Lights style
Saturday
10-15-11
All gear'd up for tomorrow!
Sunday
10-16-11
I'm a Marathoner!!!!!
Obviously, finishing my first marathon on Sunday was the highlight of my week (although those pretzel things were pretty darn good!). Full race report will be coming this week - hopefully sooner rather than later. If you want to check out the abridged version on DailyMile, you can go here.
I know there were a ton of people racing this weekend. Did you race (or have a training run)? Let me know and send me the link if you posted about it. Pretty please?
As I head into Grand Rapids Marathon weekend, I'm looking for a little extra motivation. I received some in my email this morning from race director Don Kern who wrote:
"The Time Has Come!
The awesomeness meter is about to go off the scale! And it's all YOUR FAULT!! You're ready. You've trained. You're totally up for this!
Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Remember to have FUN out there!
See you at Finish Line.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
Race Director, Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon"
I'm also planning to wear some motivation:
Everyone who has committed to "running" a mile with me will have their names written on one of those bracelets sharing space with my RoadID. Here's who is running with me so far:
Mile 1 - The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans
Mile 2 - Elaine
Mile 3 - Meg (dancindeac) & Tirah
Mile 4 - Brooke
Mile 5 - Beki (running her 5th 1/2 marathon of the year) & Melissa
Mile 6 - Angie
Mile 7 - Jen B
Mile 8 - my kids and hubby
Mile 9 - Jaime & McLittle & Barb R
Mile 10 - Thea (who will be running her first 1/2 marathon on Sunday!)
Mile 11 - Lani (armytbonegirl)
Mile 12 - Mel (who will also physically BE at mile 12 cheering!!!)
Mile 13 - Erin
Mile 14 - Andrea and Mendie
Mile 15 - Kim
Mile 16 - Ashley
Mile 17 - Laura P
Mile 18 - Ann G
Mile 19 - JenIRL
Mile 20 - Lisa M & Colleen
Mile 21 - My Race Ragz
Mile 22 - Roo
Mile 23 - Ben
Mile 24 - Megan (who is running her first 1/2 marathon - at Grand Rapids too!)
Mile 25 - Kirsten
Mile 26.2 - All Mine
As you can see, there are a few miles left unclaimed. Go ahead and take one! If your favorite number is already taken - no problem. The miles are long (especially all those after the 1/2 way point!) so if you want to share, I'm cool with that. Just leave a comment and claim your spot :-)
Watch twitter Sunday morning - I've signed up for the on-course tweets of my progress. Don't be surprised if I don't tweet back until I'm finished though. The weather looks a bit dicey, so my phone will probably stay safely sealed in a ziplock until after the race. Who know, though. I might feel compelled to tweet a photo or two. You know me. I loves me some twitter!
Thank you again to everyone who has helped me get this far. Next time I post, I'll be a Marathoner!
I have been blessed to have so many friends supporting me as I run my first marathon in just 3 short days *gulp*! I'm still missing a few miles - so let me know if you'd like to run with me on Sunday! My thought is to write everyone's names/miles either on my arm (but my arms are pretty short and that's A LOT of names) or on a few rubber sport bracelets. In any case, I know all of you will help me get across that finish line on Sunday. Check out the course map and see where you'll be running with me!
Click here for the interactive course map. Image courtesy of the Grand Rapids Marathon.
Here are my awesome running partners/sponsors:
Mile 1 - The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans
Mile 2 -
Mile 3 -
Mile 4 - Brooke
Mile 5 - Beki (running her 5th 1/2 marathon of the year) & Melissa
Mile 6 - Angie
Mile 7 - Jen B
Mile 8 - my kids and hubby
Mile 9 -
Mile 10 - Thea (who will be running her first 1/2 marathon on Sunday!)
Mile 11 -
Mile 12 - Mel (who will physically BE at mile 12 !!!)
Mile 13 - Erin
Mile 14 - Andrea and Mendie
Mile 15 -
Mile 16 - Ashley
Mile 17 -
Mile 18 - Ann G
Mile 19 - JenIRL
Mile 20 - Lisa
Mile 21 - My Race Ragz
Mile 22 - Roo
Mile 23 - Ben
Mile 24 - Megan (who is running her first 1/2 marathon - at Grand Rapids too!)
Mile 25 - Kirsten
Mile 26.2 - All Mine
As you can see, there are a few miles left unclaimed. Seriously, writing them all out like this - wow, that's a lot of miles! Feel free to claim an open mile by leaving me a comment of which one you'd like!
I am so very thankful for everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, yelled at me to get my runs in when I didn't want to go, told me to listen to my body when I was sick, etc, etc. I really wouldn't be doing this without all of you. MWAH!
Super big puffy hearts love to everyone who entered my giveaway for a My Race Ragz custom tech shirt. I absolutely love mine and can't wait to sport it crossing the finish line of the Grand Rapids Marathon on Sunday!!!
I know I said I'd announce the winner tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait.
So, without further ado, the winner of the My Race Ragz shirt is (drum roll please!)....
I love this woman so much - she is doing some pretty awesome things right now, namely training to walk the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure! You really should go check out her blog and if your heart so moves you, consider donating to her walk.
So, Ann, I know how to get ahold of you on Twitter but if you could also send me your email that would be fantabulous! Congratulations and I can't wait to see what kind of shirt you design!!!!
Today is the last day to enter my giveaway for a custom tech shirt from My Race Ragz. You have until 9:00 PM EST, so click that link and ENTER! I'll be running in my shirt on Sunday - what will you wear for your next race?
Since this is True Confession day, I'm going to confess that I need to not step on the scale until after the marathon. I'm thinking at least a week after the marathon. Yesterday morning the bi*ch made me want to cry and I am so much more than a number on a piece of machinery! I am a 41 year old woman who is going to be running her first marathon in 5 days, dammit! I've been training my @$$ off since June (well, apparently not LITERALLY) and I should be thrilled with what my body has been capable of. Gaining a couple pounds during training and taper shouldn't make me freak out. Now...if they aren't gone within a month AFTER the marathon, then we've got a problem.
Also, I'd like to confess I wish it was Sunday around 1:30 pm so I could stop feeling like I might barf or cry at any given moment. If you see me in Target this week sobbing, just ignore me. Yesterday's edition of the Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter contained some very good advice from marathon director Don Kern.
"EVERYBODY HERE LOVES YOU
So, I said all that to make this point:
RE-FREAKIN'-LAX
You're ready. You've prepared. You've trained. And now, it's time for the fun. Feel the energy from the people around you. Find someone wearing a staff jacket and give them a hug. It's your day now. Enjoy everything about it.
Don't stress about parking. There's plenty. Don't stress about aid stations. They're well stocked, and they're ROCKIN'. Don't stress about portajohns. We have plenty. (Some of them look like big blue plastic boxes and have white toilet paper. Many others look like big plants with woody stems and have various colored toilet paper on them.)
Everybody here loves you. We're all here to help. And YOU? You're gonna be awesome out there."
Yep - waterworks. I'm trying, Don! I'm trying to "re-freakin'-lax".
