MCM Race Report
October 31, 2010
My First Marathon
Butterflies fluttery in my stomach, I’d been hydrating all week and headed to DC on Friday night with Karen, Katie, and Dave. We got off to a late start but checked into our hotel okay and were just 2 blocks from the expo. We got our packets and trekked about a bit. Then finding dinner on a crowded Saturday night in the city turned into our next obstacle. Eventually, we found ourselves some big bowls of pasta and went back to the hotel to continue hydrating, pack-up for Sunday morning, and sleep as best we could.
Sunday morning, the alarm got us up at 5:15- a very reasonable hour. We dressed, ate, and headed out to catch the Metro. We made it to the Metro stop for the beginning of the race and walked the mile to the start. By the time I got to the port-a-potty, I thought I was going to die. I somehow managed to successfully keep my bladder together long enough to avoid wetting myself pre-race. This was the most miserable I was all day. By the time we were done there, we went straight to the start where the gun had already gone off. We waited our turn to cross and we were off.
The first few miles were chilly, and we were stiff. By the time I shed my throw-away sweatshirt, I was feeling warmed up and ready to go. The first ten miles passed really quickly. Then, they incrementally began to feel longer from there. I had some achiness in my leg, which was unusual for me. Nothing I couldn’t run through. It felt great to get past 13.1, 16, 18, and eventually 20. Every step after that was the furthest I had ever run, so I ran with pride. We made it to the bridge in plenty of time and finally saw one of my co-workers… it felt really good to know a face in the crowd.
The bridge was only mild torture, and around this time I lost my partner and took off on my own. I went from running a 5:1 interval to running straight through. I was passing lots of people, and is somehow really motivating… I knew I wouldn’t make my 5 hour goal, but I was determined to be as close as possible. I started moving a bit a faster, grateful for every step I could take at that point. Finished the bridge and forced movement through Crystal City. I was singing to myself, breathing slow and steady, and taking it one step at a time. Lois was in my head all day- reminding me that this run was a gift and I unwrapped it slowly.
I was close to tears of overwhelming emotion throughout the day, but no more so than the last couple of miles. When I got to 26, the tears overflowed and I pushed it up the hill feeling strong at the finish. I just felt joyful then, and ready to take my shoes off. I felt silly crying as the marine hung my medal around my neck, but I earned the medal and the tears. Getting home was a long expedition, and a hot bath and meal never felt so good. I have never been so proud. And adding in a 6 minute port-a-pot stop, 5:04:25 is pretty darn close to my goal.
I am truly grateful for friends, motivation, and my healthy body. I am also grateful for GU, twizzlers, spectators (especially the ones who cheered for me by name), witty signs, Halloween costumes, and mile markers. Thanks to CMS too- and Katie- for the motivation to tackle these goals and achieve.
| Distance | MAR |
| Clock Time | 5:21:27 |
| Chip Time | 5:04:25 |
| Overall Place | 14663 / 21855 |
| Gender Place | 5076 / 8659 |
| Division Place | 950 / 1536 |
| Age Grade | 44.6% |
| Ctz | USA |
| 5K | 35:52 |
| 10K | 1:10:48 |
| 15K | 1:45:48 |
| 20K | 2:20:14 |
| Half | 2:28:17 |
| 25K | 3:00:43 |
| 30K | 3:37:01 |
| 35K | 4:12:20 |
| 40K | 4:48:39 |
| Divt | 1541 |
| Sext | 8675 |
| Pace | 11:38 |
