I'M OFFICIALLY A MARATHONER!!!

Wow... where do I start?? This has been a LONG time coming!!! I just remember this exact time last year, I ran my first half-marathon, and after it, I said "There is NO WAY I will run a full marathon". I was sore all over, I swear I had a stress fracture in my right foot, the pain lasted a few months. So now 1 year later, I'm doing the full. Why?? I dont know, maybe its to show that I can do it, maybe I had something to prove to myself or others. I am far from elite, I'm what some people call a mid-packer.

The weather was perfect. Start was about 50 degrees and finish was probably close to 60 and sunny. Of course I'm psyching myself up during the star spangled banner, b/c there was no turning back now. I felt pretty good today, not as good as my Brooksie half 2 weeks ago. The start was fairly smooth. I started with the 3:40:00 pace group. I was determined not to start too fast!! The first mile came so fast, I was like "did i just run a mile???". So we get to the Ambassador Bridge. Actually, it was not that bad, i know this was the one thing that scared me the most. The incline was doable, didnt push it too hard, just planned on making up time on the desent. Ran through downtown Ontario, Canada... they had a lot of fan support!!!! Now comes the tunnel. I swear, I thought it was the Super Bowl... people screaming and yelling (probably just to hear the echo), and the incline out of the tunnel was not that bad either. Of course I lost all GPS while there, but it kinda sorta made it up when I exited.

Coming back to the USA was amazing!!! I never seen soooo many people cheering me on calling my name!! I was running MY race, not influenced by people passing me. I got to the half around 1:45:00... perfect split!! At this time I hadn't even broke a sweat. I was soooo happy that I surpassed my longest race that I picked it up quite a bit in the moment!! I swear I could have shaved 30 seconds per mile off EASY at this point in time. For the next 3-4 miles I was cruising. Then we had to hit the island... Belle Isle. The bridge was not bad going, but once we got off the bridge... OH MAN!! It was soooo windy. I tried to draft people, but everybody was shorter than me!! LOL. I down 2 Gu's at mile 17 (chocolate and mocha... yukk!). Leaving the island (thank God) was no better. The wind was in our face for the next couple miles with a slight incline. Now all the fun and games was over! I was starting to have to work a little now. I get to mile 22... and it all starts falling apart. This was when I said I was going to let it all hang out. NO CAN DO!!

Mile 22-23 was humbling. I could not keep my pace, my right hammy and calf felt like hot knives were in them. I just couldn't run, but I didnt walk (as much as I wanted to). The last 5k I truely wanted to bring it in, but I couldnt. People talk about the WALL at mile 20, well it hit me mile 22. I couldn't understand... I was running sooo good them POW!! I Gu'd up and stayed hydrated too. I just fell apart. So now it was just hang on for dear life. I had a green bib, so that told everybody I was a rookie... I'm so glad, because they knew i was struggling but egged me on!!! I added a full minute to my pace! The finish could not have come any sooner. Stupid thing, they had a finish mat... then 5 yards later, another finishing mat, then 5 yards later, another!!! I stopped after the second, only to see the last then darted past it.

Then the hammy cramped. I had to get help to the Gatorade station. And the people were being stingy with the food, I practically had to beg for a banana!! I swear, this was one of the best feelings in the world!! Next up... the ultra!! Then the Iron Man... (yeah right!). Will I do this again?? Maybe, I'm kinda hurting now from those last 4 miles. Talk to me in a week or two. But until then, I'm officially a MARATHONER!!

Oops... 4got to add my splits
Mile 1) 8:07
Mile 2) 8:05
Mile 3) 7:55
Mile 4) 8:38 (the bridge)
Mile 5) 7:31
Mile 6) 7:50
Mile 7) 7:49
Mile 8) 6:38 (underwater for a mile... Garmin screwup)
Mile 9) 9:52 (see I told you)
Mile 10) 7:34
Mile 11) 7:53
Mile 12) 7:57
Mile 13) 7:53
Mile 14) 7:33
Mile 15) 7:56
Mile 16) 7:52
Mile 17) 8:01
Mile 18) 7:44
Mile 19) 7:57
Mile 20) 8:10
Mile 21) 8:01
Mile 22) 8:11
Mile 23) 8:27
Mile 24) 8:39
Mile 25) 9:18 (just ready for it to be over!!)
Mile 26) 8:52
Last 0.2) forgot to stop Garmin (again)

Official time: 3:34:35