The marathon

I did it. I am a marathoner. I got to check that one off my bucket list and I am darn proud of it. I also can't wait for the next one. Yes, someone needs to smack me and hard, I know. Better yet, the next one is a back to back half and then a whole. I am getting more badass as I go. Yes, I get to say that. All those training miles earned me that right as it does anyone who has run a marathon.

Whoever created the above got it right. I haven't smiled like that since I got married and had my daughter. The feeling of accomplishment is AMAZING and makes you want to accomplish more.

The Shamrock is always a good time, though I have always done the 8k. I heard from my BRF the beer stops on the half, though not race sanctioned, did have incredible race support and pink elephants. We are completely spoiled in Virginia Beach. The mass public always supports those of us crazy enough to get up a 4:30am to go running in the cold, the windy and the hot and humid. Maybe I just have it backwards and we are just great entertainment that they wait all year for, like the super bowl.

As is race typical, we were up early. Most of the girls I run with were running the half. (most time for the after party that way) I caught a ride to the beach with one and hung out at Starbucks while they started since the half started and hour and a half prior to the full. It gave me a chance to settlement my stomach and gets some fuel in me. Normally, that's hard for me in the morning. By the time I was ready to head for the start the sun was up, but the temperature wasn't. Virginia Beach weather blessed us with 70 degrees Saturday but only 44 for my Sunday race start with rain predicted by about 1. Bleh! I was in the last corral and we counted down and off we went. It was weird to here the half coming in being announced while we counted down to start, but off we went.

We went over the bridge (hill-yeah! I am a closet hill lover.) down to the base and back up to the next base and back down the boardwalk. I stopped for pictures on the bridge and the second base which has a historic lighthouse. A girl has to have pictures-right?


I felt great to the half. Better yet I had screaming fans to cheer me on. My best running buds and my BRF were hollering my name loud enough for all
of Virginia to hear. It was AWESOME!

I stayed steady until about mile 18. Another running friend had told me about 18-20 would suck and then it would be ok again. When I hit 18, I knew exactly what she had been talking about. I swear, I didn't know Shore Drive was that long and boring. It was horrible. If I was someone who would give up, it would have been there. Instead, her voice hollered at me to suck it up. Get past 20 and it will be ok. So I did. At mile 20 one of the military guys gave me a banana and some pretzels and 2 minutes later every thing was a-ok. Thank you banana guy. Thank you.

At about mile 24 the banana wore off and my Garmin died, right in the middle of a walk interval. The guy behind me must have thought I had given up.

"Run with me to the 24 marker." he said. "We are almost there." and so we did. But when I was ready to keep going, he wasn't. I tried, but he wasn't willing so I just kept going. 25...I could see the Hilton. 26 and I was almost there. I think I could hear my cheering section before I saw them. 26 and I picked up speed. I'll be darn but I was going to pass that girl that kept playing leap from with me- and I did.  And then the finish. My BRF, my running friends, by husband and amazing daughter, all saw me through the finish of my very first marathon and I couldn't be happier that they were there to share the moment with me. It wouldn't have been the same with out them.

 Mile 9 for my daughter's 9th birthday which was the day I ran the race. Happy Birthday Honey!

The Finish is in sight!

"It's the final countdown..."

"It's the final countdown..."- tell me you can't hear the music from Starship backing that up.

Shamrock is a week away. My very first marathon, which was preceded by my very first taper. Let me tell you that sucks! I highly recommend stocking wine and lots of it and be prepared to clean your house thoroughly. With only a week to go, my final long run is 8 miles tomorrow. The words "it's only" 8 miles, 3 miles, X number of miles have crossed my lips more than once and left me chuckling at myself. I never thought I would say such a thing. 1 year ago I ran my first 1/2 marathon, 2 years ago I ran my first race ever. I feel ready. Bring it on! Oh, and yep, just for me, it's gonna rain.  So either I am going to rock it or blow it, but no matter what, I will finish it and will become a marathoner.

Taper mode it a whole new experience. One not unlike what I call a bad buzzy brain day. When you have ADHD or ADD or whatever they are calling it this week, you have trouble concentrating to begin with. As an adult, I can feel days that are worse than others. I know when the focus shuts off. Taper feels a little like that. I need stuff to do. I can't sit still and I can't focus on any one thing for very long. So to reign in that feeling and bring some focus back, I have been reading about autism Spectrum Disorder and how dopamine levels affect the level of disability and the correlation between those levels and ADHA, autism, depression, etc. It's fascinating stuff. What can I say, my brain needs input, especially during times of taper, apparently.

There are tons of articles on research showing how excise releases the feel good endorphins. Regulating dopamine and getting plenty of rest for the marathon and means good serotonin levels which together equal, you guess it- fewer buzzy brain days! At least, until you taper. So I have decided that running another marathon will be good for me. Not necessarily the marathon it's self but all the training that goes into. Its a forced regulation of dopamine. No drugs needed. The only problem, taper. So here it sit, typing about the countdown and a random subject.

I have checked the parking maps, the running maps, worked out a Gu/hour ratio, checked and rechecked the weather, sold girl scout cookies, rethought my running outfit, consulted the car pool, and thanked all the running gods for my BRF and family for supporting my craziness. The only thing left to do is run.

...at least I hope to be after next weekend.