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)