I made it through my marathon alive. It didn't go as well as I wanted as far as time. It didn't even go as well as I hoped. I wanted to be under 4:00. I realized weeks ago that wouldn't happen but I'd try to get as close as I could. I just wanted to be under 5:00. I didn't even make that. Here is my description of my day. Hopefully it won't bore you all too much.
I needed to leave my house by 5:30 am at the latest to get there for packet pick-up and give myself plenty of time in case I got lost, hit traffic, or there were lines to get my bib. I woke up at 3:30 because I was so nervous. I got out of bed around 4:15 to start getting ready. Had to tape up my blisters, get dressed, make my breakfast. All that good stuff.
Made it out of the house on time. The closer I got the more nervous/scared I got. Came close to throwing up a few times. I wasn't nervous for the ToT really. I knew I could do 10 miles and still live. I had never run longer than 13 miles in training so I didn't know I could do this. I told myself I would do whatever it took but I still doubted it.
Got to the race. Had to pay for parking, had no money. I guess I thought every race was like Disney. Have fun, get on a bus, and they take care of everything. So, I was digging through my change bucket in my car. That's fun. And who doesn't take debit these days? Them, that's who.
Packet pick-up went smoothly. In and out in 5 minutes. Lines for the bathroom were huge so I was there early enough I chose a porta-potty, assuming they weren't too dirty yet. I was right, and that saved time.
It was about 50' so I sat in my car to keep warm til about 7:30. Then I made my way to the starting line, trying not to hurl on everyone around me. I knew once we started I'd be fine, and I was right.
The first 13.1 were GREAT. I was feeling perfect. No pain. Weather was cool so that couldn't have been any better. I did the 1/2 marathon in 2:01:35. A little slower than my ToT pace but I am thrilled with it.
Then, literally a 100 yards after the 1/2 way point I got stomach cramps. I thought I was going to have an accident and throw up at the same time. I got dizzy. Panic set in. How do I get back to the start? We were running through a neighborhood so I sat on a wall on someone's yard. I just tried to calm down. Wan't working.
Then, I remembered there was NO WAY I wasn't finishing. A few swear words toward the start line I was looking to find and I began running again. Mile 14 and the cramps to my hamstrings begin. GREAT. Pleasant feeling. Never got cramps in training. I remembered what I learned on a podcast on how to deal with cramps. Down a few salt packets. Perfect. Did I bring them? NOPE!!!! Why would I think I'd get dehydrated on a cloudy, breezy, 50' day? I had them at Disney, not for the freakin marathon. I strecthed and powered on. Run/walk/run was in full effect now. Up til then I was mostly running (probably caused the cramps but I was feeling good so I kept running).
Things were slowing now. I was getting tired because I was afraid to eat because of my stomach on top of the cramps in both legs. Then, mile 18. Full lock-up on the cramps. Like, rolling on the ground grabbing my leg. I tried strecthing but every time I went to walk it did it again. I was convinced I was done. Find the ambulance to get me to my car.
I strecthed more and decided if I could start walking again I would just walk the rest. I got up and was able to walk. So, I basically walked to rest of the way with frequent stretching stops as I felt them tighten. I ran occassionally but very slowly.
I was NOT giving up. Everytime I thought about quitting I would think of what my wife told me last year when she said I'd never amount of anything more than being a janitor. I also thought about what my oldest daughter told me last night when she came shopping with me. She randomly told me during a conversation, "Daddy, you are my role model. I want to be just like you." Are there any better words than something like that from one of your kids? I think not. So, I replayed that conversation in my mind. I cried a few times as the pain got worse. I counted down the mile markers. But I kept plugging away. I couldn't let me future ex-wife be right and I couldn't let my little girl down.
Finally, mile 25. I knew I made it at that point even if I had to crawl. I began running more to finish sooner. Then mile 26. I was running now. I wanted to run across the finishline. I turned the final corner and my hamstring locked up within a 100' of the finishline. I began crying, it hurt bad. I was stretching it. The people watching began calling my name (it's on the bib) and telling me I am almost there and I am going to make it. Crying continued and I limped across the finishline. I have a HUGE blister on my foot in the same place I got it from ToT. Feels really good and it isn't the size of Rhode Island or anything either.
The walk from the finishline was worse than the walk after the ToT which StayCool will understand.
My takeaways: I was mad at myself because my body didn't cooperate. I realized I didn't train properly. I have A LOT to learn. My time was disappointing. But, I decided I would finish and I did. It hurt. I'm tired. But, I accomplished my goal. And less than one year ago my wife told me she wanted a divorce and didn't love me because I was a fat, lazy slob. I was 250 lbs of unhealthy, no self-esteem and I had gone through periods over our marriage where I contemplated suicide. Now I am 217 lbs, healthy, more confident, finally proud of myself, and running has changed my life and how I look at myself. So, all of that negative stuff, that might have scared some off from ever running a marathon, disregard it. It was ALL WORTH IT. I feel like a million dollars mentally.
And, you all had a part in it and I thank you more than you could ever know. If you were here I'd give you a big fat hug. Thank you. I hope I can be a small part in helping you reach your goals as well.
