Training was tough in the summer lots of hills in Rhode Island and lots of long runs alone but manageable. I was fortunate to find an awesome running partner about six weeks ago and we paired up very well with her fast pace and my slow pacing.
And I was able to do some of my long runs with a Griffin friend in Rhode Island. Feeling strong and confident in my running, on a whim I decided to participate in the reach the beach relay during my training as well, which was a great challenge for me. It's a 200 mile relay and was fun, I learned a lot about myself and others, especially that I like my sleep.
Three weeks before The marathon however I developed a horrible upper respiratory tract infection that knocked me on my butt. it did not take away my endurance but it definitely took away my motivation. I dug deep to rekindle it so that I could finish out my training. I was blessed that I had a lot of inspiration from Momo. She had her one-year off chemo and cancer free anniversary on October 11. Her strong spicy personality and brave heart kept Me going. Even though I lost a few of my runs I was able to get through the cold and recover before the marathon. Life gets busy and marathon training is not easy, so a cold really can send you for a loop and make it hard to reach peak performance if you're still in recovery mode.
The week before the marathon, finally recovering and feeling better I took it easy but was able to complete my tapering runs and knew the adrenaline would carry me through on the day of the marathon. Along with my camaraderie with my two running friends I knew that the race would not be easy but I would be able to finish it.
The day before the marathon Momo did not want me to leave, but letting her know that I would have a medal for her to put on the wall when I came back made it a little bit easier for her.
Andrew had a lot of questions about the race and the technicalities of training which was nice to hear him take an interest. He is such a loving caring kid and when he tells me that he is proud of me it makes me want to cry. My kids are my inspiration!
Running long-distance gives you lots of time to think, and one of the things I think about frequently is being a parent, having the opportunity to teach my kids about being a good person, learning to love others and build relationships and live life to its fullest is a gift that I can give them in return for the joy they bring me.
In some small way I think my marathon training and completing a marathon helps them to see how important it is to take care of yourself and have big dreams.
When my running partner's arrived at our house the day before the marathon a lot of nerves and anxiety were present, The ride out to the hotel was therapeutic talking about training and nutrition in our downfalls as well as positive Mantras and how important completing the marathon is to us.
My GPS did slightly get us lost a few times and we had to make multiple pitstops for alternating mom bladders but other than that we were excited to finally arrived at the hotel. We checked in quickly then headed right over to the expo to pick up our numbers I forgot that our names would be printed on our bibs so when we received it, it definitely gave me chills that this was really going to happen. Marathon number four, I prayed that it would be easier than the last!
We headed back to the hotel to foam ,roll stretch and get ready for our breakfast for dinner at the Cracker Barrel. Nothing like pancakes and bacon before your marathon
With full bellies we settled down for the night with a little more foam rolling and hydration setting our alarms in hopes they would work!
5 AM came quick, but even with restless sleep I felt invigorated and my legs felt fresh! I had no idea what challenges would be ahead of me during the marathon but I knew no matter what it was I was going to finish. I was going to give it my all 100% and cross that finish line knowing I couldn't have done any better.
Looking back at my short running career considering three years ago I couldn't even run to my neighbors house to be finishing my fourth marathon gives testament to the power of the mind. The fact that I went from unhealthy person to healthy marathon runner in less than three years shows anybody can do it. The marathon to me represents our family's journey with childhood cancer,ups and downs, struggles, hard decisions, challenges, perseverance, strength, braveness, dedication, commitment, love, endurance, awareness and consciousness of the world around us. Momo beat cancer and nothing is as symbolic to this as the marathon.
In the morning after getting on my preplanned motivational running outfit including purple sunglasses and fluorescent yellow shirt and fluorescent yellow socks. To keep warm on the chilly 45° morning I wore a beautiful purple fluffy bathrobe to the race. The bathroom has become one of my traditions for my marathon to stay warm and as good luck.
We arrived at the parking garage about a quarter-mile after some slow traffic parking with all of the other runners and walking to the start thinking how are we going to do walking this far on the way back.
At the start we checked our bags and did our business at the Porta potty!
My running partner stepped on a dead squirrel which we proclaimed as good luck!
We talked with a few nice people in line and examined the wires overhead for the train tracks that we were standing on. With 10 minutes to spare we got into the corral and awaited the start. I heard my name being called and turned around and it was a friend I had not seen in a very long time. He too had some trouble with his training due to busy life over the last six weeks and he wasn't sure how he would do. I talked with a few other people around us about my bathrobe, which was not only a good conversation piece but I think I might have started a trend! Since it was so cold I decided to run with the bathrobe on until I became cold then tossed it on the side of the road. The race started, my running partner and I took off at our preplanned pace her with her five dollar fluorescent Walmart sweatshirt and me with my bathrobe. Our other running partner also looked pretty hot with her fluorescent orange Walmart sweatshirt and Took off with a solid pace and a sparkle in her Eyes. The first couple miles I took in my surroundings examining what Lowell looked like, waved at a few on the curbe and high-fived a few kids. By mile three I feel good and decided I wanted to sing to my running mate. Because singing loud for all to hear brings joy!
By mile five we were ready for some gu and had spotted a few familar faces especially the skeleton shirt lady who we would keep an eye on the entire race as our pacer.
Mile seven feeling chipper I attempted use a porta potty that was locked, who has one porta potty at a marathon with 4000 people?
So I made my way into the woods where I fell on a tree and cut my hand but didn't realize it until mile 10.
Half marathon right on pace, feeling tears choke me up when roar came on my playlist Momos song. But I didn't cry because I knew it would through my breathing off so I dug deep and repeated the mantra I am stronger, I am braver, I am going to finish this thing.
Mile 15 my left hip flexor started to get a little tight and had to stop and stretch but nothing unexpected. My running partner's hands were like Popsicles so she found a nice pair of used gloves on the side of the road.
Mile 18 moving right along we sandwiched people left and right passing them then stopping to stretch and passing them and then stopping to stretch
Mile 20 the wall! Busted right through it without any issues although my pace was a little bit slower stopping in stretching and thinking positive and having fun made it easier. We even did a nice two-person yoga pose to stretch and had people asking if we were hurt. I guess I need to work on my yoga haha. Mile 24 the realization that it was actually going to have a finish happened! I started really paying attention to my footfalls, my lean and how my hips were feeling. Provided some needed support for my running partner who was giving me the evil eye by this point. The more positive I got the more lasers came out of her face. But she kept on running, she's wicked strong and nothing was stopping her.
I knew that once she crossed that finish line not only would she have accomplished the hardest thing she's ever done in her entire life but she would be prouder than she will ever be of herself for this challenge. But I wasn't lying to her when I told her after mile 20 things that you never think will happen will happen and your body may hurt in places you never thought it could hurt, and it will be the hardest thing you've ever done in your entire life. However I bet she was wishing that I had told her that before we got to mile 20, more like when we were actually training for the marathon. Marathon's develop people. They take you to the brink of collapse and quitting and show you you are stronger than that. Once you complete a marathon you can do anything, your complete mindset changes and things that were once hard become easy things that you thought were impossible becomes possible, you become your own personal superhero.
With a quarter-mile left or at least that's what my watch said I said it out loud and inspired a few people along the way however we really had a half a mile. So I think they might've been cursing me by the end.
Then there was the finishers chute. I powered through knowing my running partner was right by my side. In case I fell she would stop my watch.
Then Bam over the finish line and another huge accomplishment complete.
I Grabbed the water, the spaceman blanket, Took a quick Selfie to send the kids and share with friends, then headed straight to get my bag to change in the Porta potty so I wouldn't freeze my buns off since I was sweaty and it was 45°.
With heavy legs and some maneuvering in the Porta potty I successfully changed into my dry clothes then headed to the snack shack to grab some peanut butter and jelly and some soup, and a picture with my medal
I received a text from my BFF who was running this marathon with us that she was 4 miles from the end.
So I quickly at turtle pace headed over to the finishing line with my banana.
Standing in the sun my running partner covered from head to toe in shininess to stay warm her postmarathon Frankenstein walk really made me smile.
While standing at the finishing line waiting for our third musketeer I reflected on her journey. This was her second attempt at a marathon the first one crushed by knee pain at mile 18. Knowing that having her finish this would be a huge accomplishment for her I became very emotional and decided to eat my banana.
Squatting down to peel my banana I completely lost control of my balance and fell over like a turtle on my back unable to get up. I called my running partner who could not hear me because of the spaceman blanket over her head. However the photographer was there and able to give me some motivational words to get up. After rising to a sitting position I decided it was too much work to actually stand up I need to eat the banana and decided to stretch on the pavement while waiting for my musketeer to finish.
I received a text from her that her knees were killing her and I had fear for her but new she was digging deep and was going to complete this no matter what. Then there she was running solid as a rock across the finish line. After a huge sweaty hug and a high-five we marched on knowing we left it all we left it all on the course.
What an amazing experience.
I am blessed that three years ago Morgan's journey and Andrew strength drove me to want to become a runner.
I am the best person that I can be because of them and running.
Time to rest and stretch and hopefully inspire others to someday dig deep overcome their challenges and become their best selves.