I DID IT! 26.2 miles

What can I say?  I did it, I put a goal in place and I did it.  Saturday May 17th I got up and had 2 eggs on wheat toast with a slice of cheese.  I took the dog to the kennel at 1030am can home and started pushing fluids.  I had a salad and a hot pocket for lunch, some saltines with cheese and lots of water.  We left for Sugarloaf about 2 pm in Willies truck, stopped at hannaford for waters,  Gatorade and bananas.  I drank a 32 ounce Gatorade on the ride up and we got to our hotel at about 415.  I sent a text to Stephanie and we decided to meet for dinner at 1730.  The restaurant was packed! So many people!  We stood outside to wait with our boys and Stephanie and her family.  We didn't get a table until 8 pm.  I ordered a pizza :) we got back to the room by 930ish.  I drank another water and went to bed.  My alarm went off and in the shower I went, I was excited to get going!  I had my usual bagel with banana and a coffee.  We could only do the 6am start if we planned on 6 hours, so we rode the shuttle to the start at 6am and would start at 7am.  The potty lines where short so at 640 we got in line and started to stretch.  I was able to wear capris and a long sleeve.
7am the gun goes off.....  First 3 miles we chatted off and on, I felt nervous thinking ahead the whole time!  We skipped the 2 mile waterstop and ate at mile 3, our average for the first 3 miles was 10:35.  Waterstop at mile 3.8 we walked very briefly and I picked Gatorade.  Jogging was easy and comfortable, I did not feel chatty as I was concentrating way too much.  Gatorade chews x5 at mile 5ish and second Gatorade stop at mile 5.8 with a very short stop, average for miles 3-6 was 10:51.  Our time was right on track, exactly was a wanted to get under 5 hours.... We are running in a Marathon!  Mile 7 was good at 10:46.  The hill started at mile 8 and went to mile 10, our average was  around 11:30 on the hill with waterstop at 9 and 10.8, I noticed the Gatorade was watered down so 6 chews every 3 miles.  The hill was completely done at 10 mile, the downhill after that was steep and my hips started at ache.  Going down the hill we were at the Sugarloaf enterence.  Half marathon time was around 2:22ish, just perfect!  The road was slanted and the sides were choppy with tar pieces and dirt.  My hips were sore as well as my right foot.  Around mile 15 Willie drove by with the kids, our families would be waiting at mile 17 Ayottes store!  I was anxious the get to mile 17.  We paced about 11 from 11-17, with waterstop and a 12:18 mile 15.  Creeping up to mile 17 I was hurting in my left hip and right ankle but knew my family was there so I was trying not to cry!  I could hear "go Mo" way before I could see them... They were holding signs and cheering!  I was happy to see them and I jogged by getting my second bag of gummies and stopped at water.  Steph was right behind me.  After water we went to jog and she couldn't.  Her knee was hurting.... Gawd what do we do? She stood there not waiting to quit she decided to walk a mile.  I could not leave her, walking hurt because I was cramping but I could not leave her at mile 17, we only had 9 more!!! I walked with her for the entire mile sign to sign we walked.  Bummer!  I felt like we should try to jog at least 1/2 mile then walk 1/2 mile, Steph agreed and I was happy with that.  I really could not go forth without her.  We started the training together and we will finish together!!! We stopped at every water stop taking in Gatorade and chews.  Miles 19, 20, and 21 was around 12:30mm with several walk breaks when she couldn't go on.  Our families leap frogged and cheered for us.  The family support was amazing!  Mile 22 was another walking mile, my family held signs, they were awesome and this is what they said:  We ❤️ #99, 26.2 or bust, sisters strong, You believed you could so you DID.  At mile 22 Kit was holding "I run because I can" that was part of my mantra, Willie held the second part "I run for those who can't". Seriously! I got misty again and blew kisses, I also took the list from my pouch and gripped it in my hand.  My list was of people who inspired me, people who lost life too young, people who I loved.  Mile 23-26 averaged around 14mm, mostly because of the knee injury but we would finish!! I was hurting in my right foot and left hip, otherwise I felt like jogging, for one it got us to the finish quicker and I actually had a little energy.  Going up through the street towards the finish I got excited, we were actually almost there!  My Nolan and Amelia jogged with me to the chute saying "you got this! You are there!"  I crossed the finish at 5 hours 26 minutes, not under 5 but I finished a Marathon and we finished together as planned!  Willie hugged me at the finished as well as my sisters and kids.  I was given flowers and a 26.2 sticker.  I got a juice and took a few bites of bagel, but couldn't eat.  I was excited and tired!  My shoes came off and my family kept saying how proud and how amazing I did.  I was thrilled, and I did it!  Will I do it again??? Well..... I think I will :) my sister wants to do one and I will do it with her.  My legs were sore but after 2 days not really.  I'm hoping to run this weekend.

Over thinking....

So either I write a small blog or I will blow up my Facebook page with premarathon crazy posts!  I can't stop thinking about this coming Sunday.  Am I ready? Can I do it? How bad will I hurt?  I am thinking about my big day, occasional thoughts of doubt and then thoughts of "I've got this". Today I thought "oh gawd" then the mail came at work and in it was a card for me.  It was the kindest most uplifting card I have ever gotten.  It reminded me of my strength and it was amazing.  One line that stuck was "it's far more than your feet on the pavement, it proves your strong, determined and focused". Then there was some about my mom which lifted me so high.  I hope I sleep tonight.

This is it! 1 week till Marathon!!!!!!

Wow!  This was week 17 of 18!  I'll start by going over my week.  Tuesday my plan was 4 miles, run to Christies and back.  I wanted to be nice so I brought the boys and the dog... Mistake #1 was bringing the dog.  Casey my jack Russell generally does great running with me but not that night.  Not even 1 mile in I was done tugging on him and turned around towards home, he was sluggish, my run total was 1.23.  Wednesday Nolan had baseball at the Rec field basketball court so I suited up to run from there.  I walked with Ethan to route 2 then headed up Church street to Plymouth rd.  The hill up Plymouth got my right calf burning so I stopped to stretch and walked a little.  I ended up working it out and jogged to Dyer to Route 2.  The hill up route 2 burned the calf so I walked some and then jogged back to my car.  4.24 miles done, the last 2 were great and I finally felt good.  Friday night would be another 4 miles while Nolan was at practice, it felt really good 4 miles in 42.20 at average pace 10:32.  Today is May 11, Mothers Day and the weather is beautiful!  I left the house at 6am for 7 miles with Stephanie, the first 3 were tough but after that it was good.  My right calf was tight and is still a little with some right ankle pain as well so this week I will use heat/ice.  Today's run was 7.01 miles in 1:16 with average pace 10:52.  Training is officially done with 2 small runs left leading up to next Sunday! Wow is all I can say, Wow, I actually am going to run a marathon!
My marathon will be run with the thoughts "I run for those who can't, I run because I can". I figure that because I am not disabled I should use my legs.  How guilty of me to not use them if I can.  Many people I know have fought though pain, cancers, and troubles but still smile, never complain.  Some people have left me in awe with strength they have, some people I just love so much and without their love to me I wouldn't be who I am today.  I will have a list with me for my big day with my loves and my inspires.  People who inspire me and my loves will get my mind and body to the finish.  My thought will be on them when I want to quit, their strength will continue to inspire me.  I want to give it my all, show my kids to never quit.  The last mile is for Willie, my husband who says if his legs were good he would run and never stop.  Willie who never complains of the pain in his legs and pushes through even after falling he gets right back up and never quits.  I will not quit and I will run that last mile for him, through pain and exhaustion.  To feel like quitting and not, to be at my lowest and keep going is what I will feel.  My people who will be with me in heart won't feel what I'm feeling but I might feel a bit of what they have felt and I will give it my all.  Thanks for inspiring me to run a Marathon, Thanks for supporting me to run a Marathon, Thanks from learning from me as I run a Marathon.

Week 16 of 18, last 2 digit run until Marathon day!

Week 16 is done as of today!  That means no more runs over 7 miles until May 18th.  I have mixed feelings about training coming to an end.  I will definitely miss the long runs in company.  I have found running long runs while chatting is great, it burns the time and the chats are great.  I love eating freely after my long runs, and I love the feeling of accomplishment.  I am so proud that I've stuck with the plan on cold days, rain and early mornings.  I have very little doubt about the Marathon.  I feel strong and ready to run it, only nervous about the last 5 miles due to the horror stories.  My outfit is picked out and my shoes are new and broken in.
This week I did 5 on Tuesday, that was 3 days after my 20 miler.  I actually intended to walk the 5 miles but jogged at 1 mile intervals, side note I was in Jeans :).  I guess I felt ok, my legs were good but my gut was not good.  I felt nausea until Thursday night, just not right, I wonder if it was from the 20 miler???  Thursday the boys wanted to do the loop again, this time I got in running clothes :).  5 miles around the loop with Ethan on his board and Nolan on his bike, I felt yucky until mile 2 then felt great walking only with Nolan on Rt 2.  Last run for the week is 12 miles.  Plan is with Stephanie and to finish by 8.  We planned to be out on the road by 530.  First 2-3 miles were tough, I actually didn't even want to eat my chews at 2 1/2 miles, but I managed to eat 4.  We stopped for Gatorade at mile 3, and by mile 4 my running felt normal again.  We steady jogged to mile 6, I was able to eat 5 chews and ran again without difficulty, the rain started too.  The rain run was great! Felt great and I was at peace for a while.  Mile 9 I skipped the fuel and just drank, why is my guts all messed up??? The jogging was easy, energy was good and to be honest I could have run on but 12 miles ended and I went home.  I didn't get a time because I forgot to start my time.  Seriously the 12 miles felt effortless like a 5k, except the first 3 miles :).  Next two runs are 4s then 7 on the weekend. Almost there!!! I will continue to feel confident and determined!!! I hope I feel normal after a few days.