Saturday morning our alarms simultaneously went off to "Move This" - Technotronic and "Jump Around" - Cypress Hill. If that doesn't get you going, well, you're probably normal. Don't judge the power songs.
But I was on edge anyways, so I moved this and got up, took a shower to wake myself up, and triple checked I had everything I needed.
The finish was at AutoZone Park. It was right by the start as well, so we were able to go in, use the facilities and grab some coffee. This race was so well organized. A warm place to relax(?) and use the bathroom before the start is money.
Are we there yet?
I loved the finish in the park. There was plenty of room to move around, making the finish chute much less congested. Bonus you had a cheering section with all that seating.
Around 7:30 we headed to the start corral. I was so anxious to get moving. I remember telling MS, "I'm so ready to be like 10 miles in." That doesn't even make sense. Why would I not be so ready to be like, done? I guess anything sounded better than standing around.
We lined up with the 4:25 pace group. The pace leader normally runs a 4 hour marathon, so I'm sure this was an easy run for him. Subtract 23 miles, and we have something in common!
We were in corral 9. The race started at 8 with elite runners, probably on a plane back to Kenya by the time we finished, then the corrals were released every two minutes until everyone was out running.
Anxious energy at work and jamming out to "Soul Man" blasting on the loudspeakers.
You wish you were running 10.
Like the Reeses, these fine gloves are also available at Target for the low, low price of $2. Actually, $1, because MS' sweet winter white child size gloves were also included.
Whatever the girl in the background is drinking, I wanted a shot. Still do. Share the wealth!
I tried to get a picture of the start line, but this was the best I got.
"Get Set...To Run For Their Lives."
Then we were off. I immediately had a small Garmin issue, but luckily I caught it early on. Unfortunately, it meant my mileage was a little off the whole race, which was very disheartening at times.
After running by the river with some Tuscaloosa firefighters (Roll Tide!), we made it to Beale Street.
Memphis bragged "rolling hills" and unlike Birmingham, where I feel like you can run up a hill and never get a downhill, there were a lot of great downhills, evidenced below. We won't talk about the uphill at mile 25.8. Yet.
I could tell early on I was overdressed, so the run uphill to get to Beale with a cold breeze was much welcome. I cooled off and that hill got me in a groove. I guess that's my payoff for all those training runs in Mountain Brook.
I might have overdressed, but so did this guy. More on the banana later.
The crowd support on Beale was awesome.
Blue Christmas, White Christmas...who cares when Elvis is serenading you on the course?
And a full drum line under the bridge. MS was in full Mayor mode, high fiving all the spirit stations.
Even Santa Clause came to town! Maybe he saw my muddied running shoes and added them to his list. Mizuno - size 9.5 please. Yes, my shoes are skis.
There were so many great signs. This one was tied for favorite next to the girl holding up, "You've got stamina! Call me!!"
Then we got closer to the St. Jude campus, and a lot of families were out on the course. As soon as we turned on campus and saw all the kids and families, I got choked up. Just thinking about the events that go on here day in and day out, and seeing all these sweet families that got out to cheer on all the runners was the best experience I've had running. Hands down.
"You're Helping Her"
"Keep Running - a blister never needed chemo!" There was also a teenager with, "Because You're a Runner - I'm a Survivor!"
All that chips and salsa I've eaten in my life was for a good cause.
The St. Jude Marathon raised over 3 million dollars for St. Jude's. It costs 1.5 million to run St. Jude's for ONE day. Humbling.
A friend that works for St. Jude made me a sign. It made my day! Check it off the bucket list - race day fan!! Thanks Elizabeth!!
We left campus and were soon greeted by a Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance troupe. MS loved it! Or should I say he was 'thrilled'?
Honey Badger don't care. Honey Badger says, "why are all these crazy people running around?"I digress...
Let's talk about Jake's Family for a minute. Jake had signs ALL over the course - probably 2-3 per mile. I saw Team Jake riding around, hanging out their SUV at multiple locations cheering on the runners. After seeing so many signs, I looked up Team Jake after the race. Jake lost his battle with cancer, but his family has done so much in his honor to fight childhood cancer and support St. Jude. I thought this section of his site captured the spirit of the race so well.
Remember banana? We ran on and off with him, and it was a huge mental boost. EVERYONE cheers for the banana. If I turned my iPod up high enough, I could pretend they were cheering for me. I'll take what I can get.
Then, like destiny, banana met banana.
Belly dancing anyone?
The famous Sun Studio.
The famous half/full split. I felt like such a big girl.
I took a lot of pictures the first half, just trying to relax and pace myself. I took zero the second half, just trying to focus on the task at hand.. MS and I split up around mile 15. I think I made it to around 17 with no issues, and then really started to cramp and have some stomach discomfort that I won't go into. I focused on making it to 20, and then told myself I would take it one mile at a time.
People don't lie. The first half of the race is 20 miles, the last half is 6. I think I went through every positive mantra in my head those last 6 miles. You name it, I probably repeated it. I was determined not to let myself think negative and beat myself up. But the miles, they still came sloooowww. Feet hurt, legs hurt, calves were cramping something fierce. I stopped every little bit to try and stretch them out, determined not to walk. Determined not to gut punch all the people offering beer.
About 3/4ths of the way through mile 25, we took a hairpin turn only to see we were about to run up an exit ramp. Kick me when I'm down, salt in the wound. However you put it, it hurt.
Then, for the 19th time, someone told me we were "almost there!" and they weren't filthy liars like all the others.
Everyone says that last .2 was killer, but that was the best part for me. I turned off my iPod and tried to just enjoy the moment. I heard them call my name out, and started to get choked up running towards the finish. I couldn't believe I made it. I felt like crying, but don't think I was hydrated enough to shed a tear.
Banana made it too! You go banana!
I kept my eye on the entrance to the park, waiting to see MS turn the corner. As soon as he crossed, the tears came. I was SO proud of him!
Did we make our goal time? No. Does it look like we're upset?
I can totally relate to the feeling.
There was PLENTY of food when we finished, which I think is a sign of great planning. I often hear there is nothing left for the marathoners by the time the half is through, but that wasn't the case. Pizza, bananas (live and edible) cereal bars, beer, powerade, McAllisters soups and Krispy Kreme by the box. BY THE BOX.
My stomach was having none of it, so we went back to the hotel for showers and celebratory mimosa's. And maybe a few of those Krisy Kremes.
If there was ever a time to clear it out...
After some self medicating we felt good enough to head for drinks and dinner.
Matt knew the best sushi place from a previous trip, and it did not disappoint.
We had big plans to go hear some live music. After a couple of drinks and dinner, we ended up in bed with two pints of Blue Bell and a movie. Don't knock Plan B.
Since I began running, I swore up and down I would NEVER run a full. The time that goes into training, the toll on your body - it just is not for me. But it was always in the back of my mind. This Fall felt like the time to go for it. We had the time, great places to run, ideal weather and a training partner. I could shut that voice up in my head and check it off the list.
The last month of training - hitting the higher mileage, long runs and finishing - was so worth the time and the toll. It gave me a sense of confidence and accomplishment that has bled over to other areas of my life right when they were needed most.Funny how timing works out.
Matt said out on the course he learned something about himself -that when things get tough, he doesn't give up. Ring a bell for anyone? What an answer to my prayers for a husband.
All this from lacing up our running shoes. Not a bad trade off.
But I was on edge anyways, so I moved this and got up, took a shower to wake myself up, and triple checked I had everything I needed.
A couple pictures in the lobby before heading downtown. Don't worry, there's enough bad photography to go around.
We headed downtown with 16,000 other runners. I was so anxious for the sun to rise. All the creeping around in the dark wasn't doing it for me.I'm no Dexter.
The finish was at AutoZone Park. It was right by the start as well, so we were able to go in, use the facilities and grab some coffee. This race was so well organized. A warm place to relax(?) and use the bathroom before the start is money.
Are we there yet?
You wish you were running 10.
Like the Reeses, these fine gloves are also available at Target for the low, low price of $2. Actually, $1, because MS' sweet winter white child size gloves were also included.
Whatever the girl in the background is drinking, I wanted a shot. Still do. Share the wealth!
I tried to get a picture of the start line, but this was the best I got.
"Get Set...To Run For Their Lives."
After running by the river with some Tuscaloosa firefighters (Roll Tide!), we made it to Beale Street.
Memphis bragged "rolling hills" and unlike Birmingham, where I feel like you can run up a hill and never get a downhill, there were a lot of great downhills, evidenced below. We won't talk about the uphill at mile 25.8. Yet.
I could tell early on I was overdressed, so the run uphill to get to Beale with a cold breeze was much welcome. I cooled off and that hill got me in a groove. I guess that's my payoff for all those training runs in Mountain Brook.
I might have overdressed, but so did this guy. More on the banana later.
The crowd support on Beale was awesome.
Blue Christmas, White Christmas...who cares when Elvis is serenading you on the course?
Even Santa Clause came to town! Maybe he saw my muddied running shoes and added them to his list. Mizuno - size 9.5 please. Yes, my shoes are skis.
Then we got closer to the St. Jude campus, and a lot of families were out on the course. As soon as we turned on campus and saw all the kids and families, I got choked up. Just thinking about the events that go on here day in and day out, and seeing all these sweet families that got out to cheer on all the runners was the best experience I've had running. Hands down.
"You're Helping Her"
"Keep Running - a blister never needed chemo!" There was also a teenager with, "Because You're a Runner - I'm a Survivor!"
All that chips and salsa I've eaten in my life was for a good cause.
A friend that works for St. Jude made me a sign. It made my day! Check it off the bucket list - race day fan!! Thanks Elizabeth!!
Honey Badger don't care. Honey Badger says, "why are all these crazy people running around?"I digress...
Let's talk about Jake's Family for a minute. Jake had signs ALL over the course - probably 2-3 per mile. I saw Team Jake riding around, hanging out their SUV at multiple locations cheering on the runners. After seeing so many signs, I looked up Team Jake after the race. Jake lost his battle with cancer, but his family has done so much in his honor to fight childhood cancer and support St. Jude. I thought this section of his site captured the spirit of the race so well.
Remember banana? We ran on and off with him, and it was a huge mental boost. EVERYONE cheers for the banana. If I turned my iPod up high enough, I could pretend they were cheering for me. I'll take what I can get.
Then, like destiny, banana met banana.
Belly dancing anyone?
The famous half/full split. I felt like such a big girl.
I took a lot of pictures the first half, just trying to relax and pace myself. I took zero the second half, just trying to focus on the task at hand.. MS and I split up around mile 15. I think I made it to around 17 with no issues, and then really started to cramp and have some stomach discomfort that I won't go into. I focused on making it to 20, and then told myself I would take it one mile at a time.
People don't lie. The first half of the race is 20 miles, the last half is 6. I think I went through every positive mantra in my head those last 6 miles. You name it, I probably repeated it. I was determined not to let myself think negative and beat myself up. But the miles, they still came sloooowww. Feet hurt, legs hurt, calves were cramping something fierce. I stopped every little bit to try and stretch them out, determined not to walk. Determined not to gut punch all the people offering beer.
About 3/4ths of the way through mile 25, we took a hairpin turn only to see we were about to run up an exit ramp. Kick me when I'm down, salt in the wound. However you put it, it hurt.
Then, for the 19th time, someone told me we were "almost there!" and they weren't filthy liars like all the others.
I kept my eye on the entrance to the park, waiting to see MS turn the corner. As soon as he crossed, the tears came. I was SO proud of him!
Did we make our goal time? No. Does it look like we're upset?
There was PLENTY of food when we finished, which I think is a sign of great planning. I often hear there is nothing left for the marathoners by the time the half is through, but that wasn't the case. Pizza, bananas (live and edible) cereal bars, beer, powerade, McAllisters soups and Krispy Kreme by the box. BY THE BOX.
My stomach was having none of it, so we went back to the hotel for showers and celebratory mimosa's. And maybe a few of those Krisy Kremes.
We had big plans to go hear some live music. After a couple of drinks and dinner, we ended up in bed with two pints of Blue Bell and a movie. Don't knock Plan B.
Since I began running, I swore up and down I would NEVER run a full. The time that goes into training, the toll on your body - it just is not for me. But it was always in the back of my mind. This Fall felt like the time to go for it. We had the time, great places to run, ideal weather and a training partner. I could shut that voice up in my head and check it off the list.
The last month of training - hitting the higher mileage, long runs and finishing - was so worth the time and the toll. It gave me a sense of confidence and accomplishment that has bled over to other areas of my life right when they were needed most.Funny how timing works out.
Matt said out on the course he learned something about himself -that when things get tough, he doesn't give up. Ring a bell for anyone? What an answer to my prayers for a husband.
All this from lacing up our running shoes. Not a bad trade off.
5 comments:
LOVE this post! Just love it. Congrats to you and Matt!
I am seriously a little teary right now. Amazing post, Erin. I am so proud of you and Matt. I remember the first time I met you, Matt was trying to talk me into doing the couch to 5k thing. And I did go home and try it...it just didn't stick at the time. Now I try to run every single day, even if it's just a couple miles. And I actually like it! You two are an inspiration to people like me. I used to think that there was no way I would even consider any type of race, let alone an entire marathon. But now, reading your post, I can see how that goal may not be so far out of reach. Not that I am going to be running that amount of miles anytime soon...but who knows? Maybe someday, right? Congratulations on a job well done!!
This definitely made me a little teary! You two are awesome and inspiring, for your running and your marriage.
Aww. You made me tear up a few times during the story too. I'm so proud of both of y'all! Congratulations on a great race!
Just came across this post and I so needed to read it! I've run 3 half marathons and numerous 5ks and 10ks and always said I would never run a full. After my last half (two weeks ago) a bug was put in my ear and now I really really want to do a full!
I just think I'd like to see how far I can push myself ya know?!
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