San Diego Rock n Roll marathon update! (Read 710 times)

My first marathon! TOday was the big day! I originally registered with a predicted finish time of 3:59:59...that landed me in the 5th time corral out of 22. As training progressed (630.8 miles of training since January, to be exact!), I started to think I could do better...maybe? Then I found out, that to qualify for Boston Marathon, I'd need to finish in 3:45:59. After months of crunching numbers and logging my pace, at 3am this morning, I decided I COULD Boston qualify, right? LOL I would do everything I could. As I stood at the start this morning...wow. So many things brought me to tears...the Marine Corp Band marching in playing, to signal it was time to enter the corrals. Then I stood there, tears streaming down my face, singing with the Star Spangled Banner. As I surveyed my fellow runners, I felt out of place. Listening to people tell of past marathon stories, a couple discussing the iron man they did last week and are headed off to another marathon next weekend...I suddenly felt SO out of place. Then 2 girls stood in front of me and I looked down and they had written on their legs, "Phil 4:13". I quickly raced through my memory verses in my mind and realized it was message for me, right then..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And I was ready. We were off and running. I had to stop and wait for a bathroom at mile 7, eating up precious time but the next 3 miles were up hill and I wanted to be ready. The running Elvis, carrying the 3:45 pace sign was never out of my sight. I was feeling good. By the time I hit mile 11 I was relieved and in my zone at a sub 8min mile pace. My focal point was mile 18 where my gf and her family live...they'd all be out front, along with all of my boys. At mile 15 I was surprised to hear someone shout out my name...it was a Lifeguard Lt. I felt like crying. The course support was AMAZING! The music was a great distraction. I made it to mile 18 and started screaming before I got there, "Where are my boys!?!?" as I ran by giving them high fives, several people in my pack were cheering me on. It was all I needed. I made it over the 2 bridges, past Sea World when I came to a turn around at mile 22. There were incredible atheletes dropping out left and right. I was scared. As I was headed for mile 23, I was in so much pain, but I thought, if I have a chance at Boston, I'm not walking. But if not, I'm easing up. People on the course were yelling, "BOSTON! BOSTON!! You're SUB-3:45" and I was so confused. My Garmin was wonky and lost the signal downtown so at this point it couldn't be trusted, but the course times were gun times and I knew it was over a minute before I made to the start. I just couldn't be sure. So I bucked up and plodded on. I don't remember when my feet/toes started hurting, but they were numb. Suddenly, somewhere in mile 24, I felt this incredible sharp/stabbing/shocking pain go through my toes on my left foot. My right foot was already a wreck. For the first time I stopped...I didn't want to walk any part of the marathon, so I stopped. It took me a good 15 seconds to get moving again and I really wanted to fall down. I plowed through, running on the outside of my heels. Then, heaven sent, there was Mike at the corner of mile 25. OMG. Just what I needed. I could do this. I hit mile 26. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v29/lifesabeach/26.jpg At 26.1 I knew I would finish. Suddenly, I was sobbing, with my hands over my face as the announcer cheered me on, "You're gonna do it! You're there! You finished!" I threw my hands up high, smiled for the camera and crossed the finish. 3:48:54...just 3 minutes shy of qualifying for Boston, but 11 minutes faster than I predicted at the beginning. and if you've read this far, you deserve a medal too! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v29/lifesabeach/postraceorange.jpg

I looked back at your first post regarding what's a realistic goal for your first marathon, and you said you "reeeeeally" want to get below 3:50. We're all very proud that you accomplished what you set out to do. Congratulations! You did awesome!!! And thanks for a great race report. I felt like I was there in person! Now you can kick back and relax. You've earned it!

Wow! What a great job, what a great race! Congratulations!

Great report, great race! And well done on coming in below your predicted time. You should be very pleased with your efforts. As for Boston--it's not a question of "if", only a question of "when". Very few runners BQ in their first marathon, and for you to come so near is quite impressive. Again--loved the report, and congrats! (So--what's your next race?)

thank you so much for the encouragement. My next race...I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the America's Finest City Half Marathon Aug 20. Last year I was a basket case. This year, I'm hoping to beat my time by coming in at 1:50 or less.

and yes, I've had 4 children...BOYS!!! ANd I'm still nursing my 3 yo. How's that for TMI?

That's great--I'll bet he's a healthy little rascal! And your risk of breast cancer is probably greatly reduced, too! If my son hadn't had latching issues (I ended up pumping for a year, so less than one can of formula in that time, which I'm quite proud of) I have a feeling we would have gone for at least 2 years. 4 boys...ack! One is MORE than enough for me. Several people have joked that I got 2 kids for the price of one with Dane. k