Okay, guys, can I beg your indulgence for a few minutes? I have been thinking a lot about my marathon experience and truly regretting that I was as miserable during the race as is so obvious from the pictures I have seen. But I just had what my friend Kathy called a "lightbulb moment"
-- I was well-trained for this event. I was conditioned and positive in spirit and confident in my ability to finish and I was bolstered by the support of an awesome Team.
When all was said and done, my inability to finish within the required time (by just a few minutes!) and the pain I was feeling during the race was strictly related to my fall and the extreme heat. I had no pain after the race, either, that wasn't related to the fall and the blisters on my feet (due to the heat and my gait being off because of hurting both knees). Even the cramping I had in my right leg sounds like what everyone says was due to the heat and hydration issues.
It has meant a lot to me to be able to come to these conclusions after a lot of obsessing about it. It makes me happy to know that my training was effective and that I had it in me to finish a marathon. I have been belittling my accomplishment in my head and feeling something of a fraud for having a medal I felt so unworthy to have. I realize now I would not let a fellow teammate feel that way and I really want to move on to just feeling pride and no regret. And believe me, I have been suffering severe regret for having slowed down Rhonda, for not enjoying the last 19 miles of the experience, and for not taking the time to high-five or hug every single one of my WISH teammates who stood out there to cheer for us. But I think I've come to peace with all of it. And Rhonda, bless her heart, has never uttered a word of regret (AND she was just as upbeat and fabulous and fresh as she looks in the pix!) I have to get past this all,and just getting back on the TM last night and doing a decent pace was very reassuring.
Here's the reality -- I've completed 4 endurance events in the past year -- my first half marathon was comfortably within the required finish time. The Minnie was hard because of my hip/hamstring injury and the 40+ minute potty fiasco that meant no time to stretch. In retrospect, I am even pleased with my performance in the
Disneyland Half, especially considering I was mostly solo (thanks, Kristi, for keeping me company a couple of miles) and I was stupid enough to do it with 2 hours of sleep or so and after being in the parks on my feet. And I recently actually finished a full marathon!
I am so grateful for all the support I have found here and that everyone has encouraged me beyond each experience to seek the next success.
I am really looking forward to the training this year. You guys are absolutely the BEST!
I just wanted to say that and to tell our newest team members that each stride is an accomplishment. Take pride in the fact that you are doing something so good for you, instead of eating bon-bons in front of the tv in every spare moment.
Okay, off my soapbox and out of the confessional!
You are my new hero. Not only did you run a marathon, you are back and hitting the healthy eating with a vengeance. Way to go! 
