My marathon experience

I haven't fully absorbed that I ran 26.2 miles. I think that fact is still floating around in my head.
When I started training with Team in Training, I signed up for a 1/2 marathon. I felt it was extremely ambitious and I wanted to do it. I was intimidated by the full and wanted to be realistic about running. I had never been a runner.
Now, I am.
My training partners were all doing the full marathon. It seemed likely that I could do it as well. So, in July, I contacted Team in Training and told them that I wanted to switch from the 1/2 to the full. The coaches seemed agreeable and I never looked back.
I incurred minor injuries, until about 6 weeks ago, when I bruised a tendon on my foot. This lasted until Sunday, ironically, when it wasn't an issue at all.
Regardless, through the training, my visions of finishing changed. Initially, I wanted to finish within 4-4 1/2 hours. I felt it was realistic since my teammates that had experience with marathons had finished within that time frame.
As the marathon became more of a reality, and less of a dream, I altered my vision of how I would finish. Suddenly, it became more about finishing and less about time.
I relaxed.
Everything in my life relaxed. I no longer had anxiety ridden dreams.
I cross trained for the last two weeks of training. I am not a fan of the stationary bike, but I did it, to save my foot for the marathon. There were days where I could barely walk due to the tendon injury and I wanted to have a good run on Sunday. In hind sight, I wish I would have run. When I returned to running, on Sunday, I felt too relaxed and like I had to relearn the basics of running.
In all honesty, my best run was the long run on September 26. I felt amazing. Running was natural and I didn't even have my ipod to rely on. I ran the majority of that run, by myself. I was confident that I would finish the marathon and within 5 hours, at the most.
THE MARATHON....
Sunday morning was beautiful in Denver--40 degrees at 5 am. Perfect weather to run in. I saw my friends and kept telling everyone, I just want to finish. I don't want to go too fast in the beginning since I want to conserve energy for the finish.
I had family in town, too. Shari and her sister, LaVay, flew in Friday to support me. Bryn, my aunt, met us at my house and they dropped me off downtown prior to the start.
I checked in with Team in Training and headed to the potty lines. There weren't too many people and I needed to go. First potty stop--no toilet paper. I carried my fuel belt with gatorade, almonds, tylenol and honey. I gave my t.p. to Aunt LaVay. I should have only carried the t.p., as I would learn quickly.
The gun went off and I was running with Courtney and Jamie. We were doing 10 minute miles and there weren't too many people to weave through.
I needed to use the potty after mile 4 and so I stopped on 17th St. There were five other runners in line and 3 potties. We were waiting, annoyed, when finally one of them opens and this homeless person gets out. This woman was smoking in the potty and we were pissed since it was cutting into our time. Plus, potty #2 had no toilet paper. Again, mental note, carry toilet paper.
Plus, I dropped my ipod in the urinal. Grossed out, but still wanting said item, I picked it up, slathered it with antibacterial glop (which was in the potty, but again, no t.p.) and returned to the race.
Everything was working. I ran by 17th and Park Ave., and there were my people. They didn't see me though. I had to yell at them, to get their attention. They had coffee and food. I was envious.
I made it to City Park and again, was feeling pretty decent about not only my time, but my experience. I continued on with the ipod and Cheesman Park was a blur. I don't remember much of it. I remember the turn off for the 1/2 marathoners and I remember thinking--it would be so easy to finish right now. I feel great and we are at mile 12.
At Logan, I ran down the familiar hill and decided to stop at another potty. There were six, no line and I entered one, to find toilet paper-finally-but someone had shit all over the toilet. It was disgusting. Quickly, I left and entered another one. Clean, toilet paper, relief.
I ran up 7th and at mile 14, ran into Jamie, the girl that I started the race with. She was crunched up, with side issues. My dumb ass decides to keep her company and stretch my hamstring out. MISTAKE...from this point on, a tendon in my thigh pulled on my knee. It was painful, uncomfortable and made the last 12 miles miserable. I began an run/walk regiment and it no longer was a time issue in 5 hours. It was a finish issue.
My friends met me at 6 places along the route. They had a sign that said--Harmony, where do you want to escape to next? Shari took pictures from some of my adventures, blew them up and and displayed them at various places on the course. They were awesome. It was completely inspiring and helpful.
People kept saying--oh, it's only x amount of miles left and I knew it, but it was so far. I ended up finishing in 5:14:26, completely not what I had expected or anticipated. But, I finished and I never thought I would be a runner. I am.
I feell 1/2's are a little more doable, but I would like another go at the full. I know that I can do it in less than 5 hours. I trained for it and I am determined to better my time.
I don't think I would train with Team in Training again. I met some incredible people and friends, but my overall experience, lacked. I saw all of the coaches on the marathon route, but only one really stood out and helped me. He knew me and so it was easier for him to run along side me and convey motivation. Three of them were coaches for the metro area, but I hadn't met them prior to the marathon.
One of them, told me, oh, you're fine. You can rest all week. It didn't motivate me or inspire confidence in my knee issues.
My friends made all of the difference. Seeing them along the route, kept me going. Plus, they carried my additional almonds, aspirin and water. I needed it and I am so happy that they came out to support me.
The last 400 meters made all of the difference. I didn't sprint, but I did pick up my pace and crossing the line was everything that I thought it would be. It was incredible.
Afterwards, I got my pin and I headed to the Falling Rock. That sandwich tasted spectacular and then it hit me--the stiffness, pain, aches--that I had eluded in every run, up until that point.
I am resting, now, and will continue to recuperate. I wanted to thank everyone for their support and love. Hailey sent me flowers, on Friday, and Pocketsize and Steve brought me flowers at Elway's. I love sunflowers and they brightened my day.
I believe that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I have been fortunate, extremely so, with my friends, family and the blog world.
Have a wonderful day...