Run like you stole something!
I can now check off “Run Marathon” on my life list. I ran a marathon. This was the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life up to this point. My time was off my goal….but man…..I’m glad I finished when I did.
Here is a recap of my Marathon Weekend in OBX!
Arrive Friday to have some free time….and be able to have a few beers for the weekend. Saturday…go shopping at the outlets and hang out at Jockey’s Ridge.
Saturday night….Watch Spirit of the Marathon. A great movie to watch prior to a marathon….it’ll freak you out and inspire all at the same time. Next…prepare fuel belt. Make sure I have enough Hammer Gels, Peanut Butter Crackers, and Gatorade for the venture. You would never guess how much stuff you can cram into a fuel belt! Plug in my GPS and my IPOD and then Go to bed….10:30 pm!
Sunday morning….Alarm 5:15 am. Take Shower (yes, I was about to run 26.2 miles, but I needed to wake up!). Lube up…..the most important equipment of the day….Body Glide. Get dressed……….Shorts, Socks, Shirt (purple…I promised my husband that I wouldn’t wear black!), Addidas Gel Kayanos, IPOD, Visor…..I think that’s it.
Approximately 6:50 am, we arrive at the Kitty Hawk Elementary School and wait a few moments to walk to the start. We all decide to stick in the 9 - 11 minute mile corral…no need to get up front with the Kenyans or get back in the back with the Jeff Galloway folks who might just stop right in front of us. We are safe in the 9 min mile corral…….After a quick prayer….7:20 comes and we are off. Crap….I’m about to run 26.2 miles. What was I thinking?
The first half was the best half that I’ve run. 2 hours 8 min! 9.40 min/miles! Through waterfront views, parks, marshlands, Wright Brothers Memorial, Nags Head Forest, etc……Great views and Great Cheerleaders from the communities! Hey…got to love the folks from the “Parrot Head Crew” who were handing out beer to the runners and had signs….”Keep running there is beer at the end”……”Run like you stole something”……or the folks who had blow up halloween costumes on.
But, unfortunately, that was the point where my back started giving me problems. I knew I was going to have back pain…at mile 18….not this early in the game. I told myself when we started training…I’ve got to keep Angie in my eyesight…..I had her in my site up until mile 10, but after that….she was history (she finish 4:47!)
Running through the forest was kind of weird….great in the sense of the views, soft surface….but HILLY! From the forest we ran on the main highway and then through wonderful scenic neighborhoods and waterfronts……
My goal was to get to Mile 20 (split time was roughly 11 min/mile) at 3 hours 30 minutes. I got to Mile 19 about that time….so I knew my final time was going to be off.
Mile 21 (split time…roughly 12 min/mile…I was slipping)- I thought I lost a toenail….but luckily it is just a bad blister.
Around Mile 22 - I ask for some BioFreeze from the medical tent for my back….it helped a little, but it still hurt.
Mile 23…..THE BRIDGE (Washington Baum bridge). Three miles left…but the hardest miles I have or ever will run in my life. I took a little run/walk all while having a little mental moment with myself. Don’t give up know…no matter how bad the back hurts…you’ve run this far…it’s only three miles left….holy crap…you just ran 23 miles….you are almost there. You can only experience this for yourself to understand what your mind goes through. You’ve trained as much as you can physically, but the mental game is hard! There was this guy with an American Flag shirt…cheering for folks on the middle of the bridge…..Made me smile….I love these folks!
I’m off the bridge…..2 miles……the turn to Manteo was the best feeling in the world! The mile marker that said 26…..relief….THANK YOU to the lady on the corner right before the road to the finish who had already finished…but stayed to cheer folks on……”the finish is just around the next corner, you can do it!”…….God Bless Her!
A few minutes later…I see it….FINISH. I see Mike in the corner with his red NC STATE visor…I just keep running…..I didn’t cry like I thought I would….I waved at Mike….smiled a little and just focused on the few steps left to the finish….Everyone said they said my name over the loud speaker (my IPOD was still rocking)…Jennifer Williams from Raleigh…..5 hours and 5 minutes (30 minutes off my goal time…I don’t care). Angie came over and gave me a hug…5 months of running long weekend runs….running 8 miles before a 8:30 sales meeting during the week was worth it…….I JUST RAN A MARATHON. My proudest accomplishment to date.
I got my medal (and my Dr. Pepper)…somehow continued to walk and took off my timing chip….got some food…and the pain started shooting through my legs..We finally cooled off and started the walk to the car. I did it….it was over….
Sunday dinner - Big “A” cheeseburger, Fries, BEER and Vitamin “I”
Today….. Still walking a little funny and my back is a little sore, but all the training, money and pain was worth it. I did it! Congrats to Joe (4:20 time), Tim (4:51 time), and Angie (4:47 time) and our half-marathoners…Jimmy, Liz and NANCY (2:30)!!
**Must make note…..The most important people of the entire weekend were my husband Mike and our friend Nicole (Nicole’s husband, Tim ran the marathon). They were our SAG vehicle. Meeting us half way, switching out bottles, dropping us off at the starting line, picking us up at the end, photographers, and being the biggest supporters and cheerleaders at the end…..They also held the prize….for me, a Dr. Pepper, for Angie, a Coke….the rest had a bloody mary waiting…
Until next time or the next race…….goodnight.
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Comments
I don’t know which I’m more proud of you for - setting the goal and accomplishing it or the spirit in which you did all of the above. YOU are an inspiration, Jennifer. That’s not to say I plan to run a marathon any time soon but you have me thinking about what kind of non-professional goals I could have and how I could achieve them. You have me thinking.
Congratulations, Girl! You are the first person I’ve ever personally known that completed a marathon. Good for you! That’s something. It truly is.
God Bless you and may the pain go away SOON! 
You have always amazed me at the type of activities in which you wanted to participate. I am so proud that you set this goal and completed it. Love you, Mom
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YOU ROCK! What a great accomplishment! I can’t even drive 26 miles without my back hurting!
As usual, you are a goal setter and nothing, nor anybody, can get in your way!
Proud of you! Now get back here in the morning and get ready for all of our meetings!