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.