Getting up at 0445 isn’t something I like to do, but as soon as my alarm went off my feet hit the floor. I had one goal for the day, and that was to run a marathon!! I put my stuff out the night before, like any sane runner would do, so getting dressed was definitely the easiest part of my day.
After getting dressed I made some coffee and waited for Shantele and her hubby. We were riding together so little man didn’t have to wake up ridiculously early. I knew he would be in a horrible mood all morning if he had to wake up that early. On the way to Whitemarsh Island the weather forecast proved it’s validity when it began to rain and continued, off and on, throughout the morning. We made it to the race area, went to the bathroom, pinned our bibs on, got nutrition ready and started waiting. After the National Anthem at 0700, we got started at 0705 with an end time of 1305. The trail was a 1.87 mile loop that was super flat but had lots of protruding roots. Since it was a small loop there was only one aid station at the start/finish area. As the morning went on the rain kept coming and going, soaking all the runners.
Running in rain soaked clothes resulted in some pretty awful chafing for me! For the first time ever, my shoulder got chaffed from my vest.
Starting out I had a great attitude and felt great. Around mile 7 or so my digestive system decided to rebel against me. Slowing to a walk several times and having to make port a potty stops every lap made for a very unhappy runner. I persevered until my hubby showed up with some Imodium. Haha. Once I got that into my system I was feeling so much better. It also became a lot easier to make myself eat. If you get the chance to eat a pb&j from an aid station, do it! Seriously the best pb&j I have ever had. 😉
Shantele was amazing through the entire run! She helped me stay on track, made me eat when I didn’t want to, and was the best friend that I needed. We talked a lot but we both get into our own grooves when not talking is just as good, which is one of the things I love about running with her. 🙂 One of the greatest parts about this run was accomplishing my goal with her by my side. She has run a marathon before and was only doing this to get her training done and help me get to my 26.2! At the end of the 6 hours I had done 13 laps, putting me just over 24 miles. Even though my time was over I continued to run, I was too close to 26.2 to quit. As I came around on my very last lap I knew that I would have to run past my supporter group and then come back to get my mileage. Shantele’s hubby jumped in and ran with me for the last little bit and “ran me in” to my finish. No huge cheering crowd, no medal immediately around my neck, just my some amazing friends and my wonderful family! I am so blessed and now I’m a marathoner!!!
Running my life 