Over the last few months, Stephen and I have been training for a marathon.
I can't believe I am even writing this blog!
I never thought in a million years that I would run a marathon. It has been a goal of mine since I was at least 18. I wrote it down as a silly goal and I had never actually ran more than 3 miles at that point in my life. I said I would run it before I turned 40. I thought I had so much time. Well, after doing the half ironman last year, I knew I could do more, much more. So, after cross country season ended, I signed Stephen and myself up for the Phoenix Rock 'n Roll marathon January 19th, 2020.
That day came much faster than I could have anticipated.
I ran so much over Christmas and New Years. I spent every single Saturday running. I am so extremely blessed that Stephen ran this marathon with me. He is truly my rock. I love him so much. He worked so hard. He works 6 days a week and somehow managed to squeeze in extremely long runs in order to prepare for this marathon. I love him.
This day was made possible because of so many other peoples sacrifices.
Number one: My sweet, sweet parents! I am truly so blessed! They watched our boys so many nights and Saturday's so that we could get in the miles needed to train. I will be so sad when the move back to Kingman. For now, I am soaking in every single moment with them.
Number two: Pamela Martinez took two weekends out of her life to run many long miles with me. I can not say I would do that for someone else. It is such a huge commitment and she did that just for me. I am truly blessed to call her my friend.
Number three: Cougar cross country team! I mean, really, would I run 4-5 days a week on my own, NO. However, running with the team makes it fun and effortless.
Number four: Hard work and determination are the only things that will ever get you to the finish line. This is not an easy distance for anyone. I saw so many people out there struggling just as much as I was struggling. I wanted to reach out and help others but I will be honest, I was hanging on by a thread those last 10 miles.
My race day was tainted by runners knee. I learned I had runners knee the first time I ran 14 miles. My knee killed me but I could still walk and it was easy to recover. Then, I ran 16.6 miles and my knee was in so much pain. I tried a knee brace and it didn't even touch the pain. I ran 20 miles the next weekend and my knee was dead. I could barely walk. By this point, it was too late. I was determined to cross the finish line.
Sunday morning, Stephen and I woke up early, ate breakfast, then headed to the start line. We were so blessed to be staying with Craig and Blair. They woke up early and drove us to the start line. We were planning on taking an uber.
At the start line, we went to the bathroom, did a warm up run, stretched, then walked to the start line. It was all happening so fast. Suddenly, the announcer counted down and we were off and running. I felt great for the 10 miles. I decided to slow down a bit and eat my waffle and drink some Gatorade. When I started to speed back up my knee began to really hurt. By the time I was at mile 14 I was in a lot of pain. I took some Tylenol and that did nothing. I had to walk. That was it. So instead of getting upset, I just speed walked. I walked as fast as I possibly could. I didn't ever stop speed walking. I couldn't wait to get to mile 16. I figured at that moment I would feel better and be able to run again. I couldn't. I had to keep walking. I walked the entire last half of the marathon. It was devastating but doable. I did a lot of self talk and thought a lot about what I truly want in my life. I want to one day come back and run the entire marathon. That will take rehabilitating my knee and completely different shoes.
I got to mile 20 and said, "only a 10k left". Well that 10k might as well have been a million miles. This was truly the hardest part of the race. I was surrounded by people who were walk jogging, crying, barfing, passing out, and yelling at themselves. It was very humbling. As I rounded the 20 mile mark I saw the sag wagon behind a woman walking at mile 13. My heart felt so much love for her. She was still going despite the fact the sag wagon was right behind her.
There were so many amazing people on this course as volunteers. Many people were playing music from their own homes along with handing out food they had bought. It was incredible. They had licorice, bacon, oranges, and grapefruit from their own trees. I only ate a piece of grapefruit and dank water on the course. I had brought my own food and Gatorade. As I got closer to the 23 mile mark I was starting to really go crazy. I kept thinking, if I just run it will take me 25 minutes to get the finish line, but I couldn't run. My knee was in so much pain. Then I calculated out how long it would take me to get to the finish line and the 5 hour pace guy passed me. I almost lost it. I was so sad. Then a guy offered me some pickle juice. I had heard it helps get rid of cramps so I took it. I felt suddenly revived. I walked as fast as I possibly could and then at the 26 mile mark started to run to the finish. My knee screamed at me then entire .2 miles to the finish. I cross the line and there was Stephen! I was so happy so see him.
Stephen told me his own harrowing tale of how he wanted to give up at mile 20 and how his legs were killing him. He had to walk as well! I couldn't believe it. He was in so much pain he barely made it to the car.
Craig and Blair picked us up and we went straight home and laid on the couch the entire day with out any movement. I should have done yoga but the though of moving was excruciating. It is two days later and my knee still hurts. I am not excited about what this means for my future running but I am happy it is all over.
We did it. We made it 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 11 minutes for Stephen and 5 hours and 16 minutes for me!
