I Did It!

What a day.  Up at 3:45am to eat bread and peanut butter.  Then a 5 minute walk to race start at  4:30.  Fireworks rained down at start time and everyone was full of energy and anticipation.  It was, as distance sports usually are, an amazing experience.   We ran through downtown Honolulu in the dark.  This time of year they have all their Christmas decorations and lights up.  It was festive and beautiful.  Mile 7 was the first hill up over Diamond Head.  The sun was rising as the wheelchair participants raced past us to the finish.  Then it was out to the highway to the Hawaii Kai loop.  By mile 17 we were back on the highway headed back to the finish.  Mile 18 was difficult.  Doubts, sun, tired legs and a bit of nausea caused me to walk for the first time. 

(mile 22)

Coach Jeff was waiting a mile 22 and wondering why I was taking so long.  By then I had started to run again and felt better at the 22 mark than at 18.  The last hill loomed ahead, a gentle incline then back over Diamond Head.  I walked up the hill. 

Bob was waiting in the Park at mile 26 with my after race recovery drink.  The finish line still seemed far.  I walked and ran to the finish.  5 hours and 54 minutes after the start I crossed the line.  Longer than I hoped but I was just happy to finish. 

Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and inspiration.  Thank you to my wonderful partner, Bob, who has put up with a lot the past months as I trained.  Thank you to Carol, Shannon, and Nathan for the checking-in phone calls to see where I was and how I was.  Thank you to Jeff who got me through this starting last July.  I could never have done this without a coach.  Thank you to Karena and Baird and Alice and Tea for cheering at the finish line with a specially made sign for grandma.  And to Baird for arranging the car to be across the street so I didn't have far to walk after the finish.

I am tired and sore as this journey comes to an end.  I never imagined I would ever be able to do another marathon. Since my last one, 12 years ago, I have had back surgery and foot surgery.  After my back injury, the sports therapist said I would probably never run again.  Well, I did!  Pushing physical limits is an amazing journey.  Not bad for someone turning 60 next year.   Aloha.

(Mile 26)

Anticipation

Oh, my, 5am Sunday, Dec 9th is quickly approaching.  I'm as ready as I can be, excited and a little bit scared, nervous.  It's sunny and warm.  Hoping for clouds and a breeze tomorrow.  Here's me trying to look cool and relaxed...

I crossed the finish line and tried to visualize tomorrow.  The finish line time clock which they were checking said 5:33:20.  I was hoping it was a sign...with this weather I will be happy with that.

Count Down

Did my last training run this morning.  Two miles around Kapialani Park.  Oh, it was hot.  We went to the packet pickup and expo today.  Bob found something to him busy.

The expo was disappointing, not much there and most of it was in Japanese.  For the next two days coach Jeff says to rest, hydrate and plan.   So far I am planning on finishing.  My time will not be what I had originally hoped because it is so hot and humid.  The idea now is to survive.

20!! Thank you, Carol

This morning Redondo Beach, CA was cool and foggy.  I started out with a long sleeve t-shirt which ended up around my waist by mile 4.  The sun was out and the entire run was along the beach.  It felt good to have much less clothing on.  My sister, Carol, after a 16 mile bike ride, met me at mile 17 with anything I could possibly need: Lance Armstrong waffle (didn't try), lip balm, much needed Hoo Ha gel (yes, that's really what it's called) for those body parts that at mile 17 are chaffed and burning but I won't go into that here, and the always needed encouragement.  She told me I was looking good so many times I started to feel it.  I finished mile 20 at her doorstep and felt almost okay.  It was fun to run together again even if it was for 3 slow miles.  We discussed the fact that our mother would be proud of us: we are in great shape and we are good friends. 

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and now I can focus on that.  I am so very thankful for my sister who is always there and my brother, Jeff, who is getting me through this seemingly impossible goal.  I am thankful for my wonderful partner, Bob, who has put up with my tiredness, my whining, and my doubts.  I am grateful for my children who are always my cheerleaders telling me that I've never quit before and I won't now.  I am grateful for all the encouraging words from family and friends.  This journey will come to its end in a few weeks, the goal is in sight and ready or not I will be at the start line on Dec 9.  It has been 13 years since my last marathon.  Will this be my last?  Ask me Dec 10.

Calculating

It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining!  I really ran 18 miles!  I can almost see doing 20 but 26 is still way out there.  I was hoping to get a call from my favorite massage therapist, Marlene Sullivan, saying she had a cancellation and that I could come by but no such thing happened.  She's good so she is busy. She did wonders on my legs after last week's 17 miles!

So these 18 miles took me 3 hours and 27 minutes.  The last 2 miles took over 13 minutes each.  So if I calculate the rest of the race I have possibly another 2 hours of running!  Oh my.  This time my legs were so sore I could hardly walk after I got home.  I keep trying to explain to Bob that he will need to get the car to pick me up at the end of the marathon because I will not be able to make the 1/2 mile walk to the condo. 

Next week I will be in Redondo Beach, CA at my sister's when I do my 20 mile run.  It will be at least 30 degrees warmer. Oh my...

"Fun" Run

This is what I woke up to.  I thought, no way! 

Today is supposed
to be my hour fun run!

I had to do it. I got ready and ran through the snow, slush and water.  It was a very slow run but it was fun! 


The woods were beautiful and I left my mark on them...
Hopefully it will be sunny on Thursday for my 18 miler!!

SNOW!

Woke up to this today!  Lucky my core workout is inside.  What will I do this week if it keeps snowing?  I have one more long run - 18 miles - next week then I go to California for my last long 20 mile run before going to Hawaii. 
I have not had to run in the snow yet.  So I am visualizing sun for next week!