On Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 I finished my second marathon. I had been training for 6 or 7 months for this race. My training went extremely well and I had a goal time of sub 4 hours. But as marathons are unpredictable I had some issues at the end of my training that forced me to not finish the way I like. So when Marathon day came around, I was truly uncertain if I could finish. By that point I just wanted to be less than 5 hours. The morning was a beautiful, clear, sunny and crisp day. The start was an unseasonably warm 40 degree one. By finish it was in the 50's. This is perfect weather for a marathon. Not too warm is the goal and no rain.
At 7am I stepped into my race corral. The official start time is 7 am but with a wave start it takes a while to get going so that everyone is not running on top of each other. 2o min later I crossed the start and began a long journey to the finish. The challenge to a marathon, unlike any other race, is that the longest distance you do before had is 23 miles. So on race day...it is a whole new distance. Also you can never plan how you are going to feel. You may have your worst training leading up to it and have your best marathon! Or you may have great training and have a bad marathon! My training was a mix. The unforeseen challenge I had was near the end of the training. I work on my feet at a hospital where I often walk 20,000 steps, mind you the average person gets about 3-5000. So I did not take this into consideration as I got to my very long training. I began having trouble with my legs not recovering. So I ended up running very little for the last 5 weeks or so. About 2 weeks before the marathon I pushed through a 12 mile run to make sure I could handle it and that was the most I had done in weeks. Not a recipe for success.
The first few miles were good. I began to feel lots of pain around mile 12. It was tempting to split off with the half marathoners (13.1) and finish early. But I continued on. Every mile was my only goal for the last 1/2. I would tell myself, "you can't quit till the next mile!" That mile would come and go. I had constant encouragement around me when I would least expect it. I had people who were tracking me and they would send me a text message telling me how I was doing...and that I could do it. Fun!!! And yes I had my phone on me. A runner always has her phone on her. What happens if you get 13 miles out from your house and can't run back...I need to be able to call someone. I carry a belt that holds fluids and my shot bloks (gel blocks that I can eat to maintain my energy and electrolytes).
When I crossed the line I could see Trish on one side and Audrey on the other. The other cool thing about this race is that they had our first names on our bibs. So as you are running people are yelling out your name to encourage you. You feel like you have so many fans.
I bundled up and made a very slow, painful walk back to the hotel. My first marathon didn't hurt like this...because I was able to train more and I had a different type of job. In the hotel, Trish called for 2 buckets of ice and I took a VERY cold Ice bath! brrrrr! It helps with inflammation and shortens your recovery. After that we headed to a restaurant called Marathon grill where I proceeded to devour a gigantic Cheese burger. For whatever reason after my long races, all I want is a cheese burger. I guess it's the protein and iron.
I enjoyed this marathon in a different way then I did my first. God spoke to me a lot as I ran. I had my i pod on and listened to worship music. Along the way I would find myself in tears. I am learning more and more that as independent as I am that I truly can't do anything with out God. "For I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!" That truth was more real to me through this marathon than any other experience in my life. When we are fully abandoned to God He can do amazing things in our lives. Is this marathon the amazing thing....probably not but it is an example of how he can do great things! I hope I never forget that in my life.
The Philly marathon Expo where I picked up my packet and shirt!
There are a lot of
Campbells but only one
SaraJane Haha! This is just a small list of the 20,000 runners!
Hanging out in our fancy hotel in the heart of Downtown Philly, and walking distance to the race. I love discount websites :-) Though the downfall was our great city view...that was the rooftop of a building with a half empty Gatorade bottle.
Relaxing on a fun chase lounge. One of these days I am going to own one...they are so comfy :-)
Me at the finish. 4 hrs and 40 min. No where near my goal time but great considering I was hurting by mile 12!
Post run with a view of the city. Everyone else was sitting but I couldn't bare to try to sit on the ground and then get back up again.
Post race meal at the appropriately named Marathon Grill. My usual a gigantic Cheese burger....That's all I
want after a marathon.
Trish (left), me, and Audrey (right)! They came down to celebrate my marathon with me! Most races I come to the finish and go home. This time I had someone to celebrate with.
