Last Saturday I ran a marathon, packed our clothes and the next morning headed for Alabama. We're here for 4.5 weeks (Mike for 6) while Mike learns about the Air and Space program with air force officers. I'm borrowing my friend's netbook (such a handy, cute laptop), to try and forge contact with the outside world.
The marathon was hard. Very hard. I almost didn't make it. Halfway through, my stomach was not happy and I was not happy. I said to myself, "If I see Mike I'm getting in the car with him and driving home." Fortunately Mike did not wake up early enough to get to the halfway point, so I had to keep running. I walked a little bit. I tried to pretend that I had intended to do the run/walk method all along, that this was my game plan. It wasn't, but it was the only way my shimmying-without-my-permission legs made it to the end. I kept thinking to myself about how insane all of these people were. And I was one of them. When the finish line came into view I tried to lengthen my stride and "sprint." (After all, I am supposed to be fast, or I was once upon a time.) My hamstring warned me by tightening into an excruciating ball of pain, that speed was not an option. So I shuffled to the finish line, felt like crying but didn't and then I tried to make myself feel better about my non-reached goal time by eating three or four creamies. Here is the detailed story of my marathon experience that I wrote for the Standard-Examiner.
I finished in 4:12. And I'm trying to tell myself that if I wouldn't have stopped 5 times to use the bathroom and one long, long time to have my cramping feet rubbed out I could have reached my goal (4 hours). I don't know if I will ever run a marathon again. It was brutal. It was emotional. I guess if someone said to me in a few years, 'Hey Stephanie, let's run a marathon and train together,' I would. But for now, I'm content to cross it off my list.
I didn't really have time to process the marathon and the pain it left my body in because we got on an airplane at 7:30 the next morning and now we're here in a one bedroom hotel room trying to maintain our sanity. Did I say we? I meant, I. I am trying to maintain my sanity. Mike is camping with his squadron (although he's a civilian for all purposes here he might as well be enlisted), learning small unit tactics.
Pray for my children. :)
15 comments:
I am proud of you! That's still an amazing achievement. It would take me about 3 days.
That is incredible. I have no aspirations to run a marathon. I can't even run around the block! You're my hero!
Nice job! I've been waiting to read your race report, and I can't access it online since I'm not a paying customer! Boo! I'm tracking down my mom's info so I can view your report. I'm sure it's awesome! Have fun in Bama!
Hope you have a super weekend!
♥ HUGS ♥
Mike should just enlist... then he and Kevin can be camo buddies! Good luck out there! Don't come back all redneck okay now!?
I have been looking and looking for your race report- yep, I'm a stalker. I hope I get to read the more detailed one. I am glad that Mike didn't show up because I am sure you would have been disappointed if you didn't finish. When I ran Salt Lake, I called Jeff and asked him to pick me up, and he said no. :-) I am glad he didn't listen because finishing a tough marathon was almost more satisfying than finishing a marathon where I felt good. It proves you can stick out something you are not enjoying- a very important thing to do!! I am sure your family is so proud of you and so are we!! I think you are totally capable of a BQ and I hope you keep trying so I can keep reading your reports.
I hope you are doing well in Alabama. I hope I get to see you again. Will you be back by June 20th? I will be at Kristyn's then. You are awesome and congrats on a great accomplishment!! Sorry it wasn't all you planned, but you are a rock star!
You finished, though and that's what is important. And what an amazing accomplishment you'll never have to do again!
What a woman! If I had ran the marathon, you wouldn't have had to go to Alabama. You would have had to stay home to attend my funeral.
Missed you and your sweet family over the weekend.
Love ya, G-ma B
Oh wow, 4 1/2 weeks in a hotel room with two small children. You will be in my prays.
We were thinking about you on marathon day.. doesn't look like it helped at all but hey at least you can say you did it!!! I think you're awesome, Alabama will too!! Best of luck... p.s. find a park before you find youself walking around in your g's all afternoon and knowing the line up of the cartoon network (trust me I've done the hotel room w/2 little kids!! can make you crazy).
Wow! Great job on doing a marathon! That's amazing. I'm still plugging away at my little 5ks (marathons will never be in my future). :)
Have fun in Alabama. I'm sure you'll find all sorts of adventures to keep you and the girls occupied!
Good job! You persevered even though you felt like crap, and had a super duper busy schedule! You are quite a lady!
And you are very courageous for braving the one bedroom hotel room for so long... hope for nice weather and lots of parks for the kiddies!
:~D
Hi. thanks for the comment on my website today. I usually email a reply but my email's down. I'm impressed with your honesty about running the marathon--a that you did it and be that you say you don't plan to do it again. Fun thoughts. I'll be checking back.
Wow you made it to the end I am impressed! A Marathon is lots of hard work. Way to finish.
A marathon?? Wow. You're amazing!
I am in awe.
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