I ran a marathon!!

Well, I did it! Today I completed the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon. 5:46:16 is my official time. I observed much and learned little during those 26.2 miles. Here's some of it:

1. People of all types run marathons and 1/2 marathons. Most of them are smelly and some of them make really strange noises.
2. It was totally worth the $100 I spent on Brooks running apparel to get their VIP Porta Potty pass. It was only at the starting line, but it was awesome.
3. I was in the VIP Porta Potty when the National Anthem was being played, signaling that the race was about to start. So, I was up by the start line and not 1/2 mile back in corral 25 where I was supposed to be. So, I just jumped in with corral #3. They were all a lot faster than me. A LOT.
4. I saw 3 things that I feel has made my marathon experience complete: A guy peeing on the side of the road, a guy with bloody nipples, and a guy puking at mile 16. Seems like the women were doing just fine.
5. I totally enjoyed running with rock bands on the course, even if they were mediocre at best.
6. Around mile 5 (or 7, or 8, I can't really remember), we ran past Central Catholic High School. They had their band out there, and their cheerleaders... and a huge blow-up rattle snake with smoke coming out of its mouth. I found myself wondering if I'm the only one who finds it highly ironic that the mascot of Central CATHOLIC High School is a SERPENT.
7. I found myself behind one gentleman in particular several times. I was able to recognize him because he was running with no shirt (which he really shouldn't have been doing anyway), and because he seemed to have a large amount of stuff in the pocket on the back of his shorts, which caused them to drop just enough with every step that I became almost mesmerized by the crack, crack, crack, crack...
8. It is GREAT running with spectators who have funny signs, are cheering you on and offering you candy. I would like to ask for some volunteers to be spectators at my 4am runs. Anyone? Anyone?
9. The most popular sign seemed to be: Run like you stole something. Amusing only about the first 3 times.
10. My favorite sign: Running takes balls. Other sports just play with them.
11. What MORON thought it a good idea to make mile 26 to 26.1 UPHILL??
12. I'm not sure I'll ever run another full marathon. Definitely 1/2 marathons. But full marathons hurt. A lot.
13. I felt fine until about mile 18. Miles 22 through 25 were the hardest. I pulled out some strength the last mile. Not sure where that came from.
14. It was only because of my husband that I found the strength to sprint to the finish. Seeing him at the end was the best part.
15. I couldn't have done this without the support and encouragement from my family and all my wonderful friends! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
16. I can finally put that 26.2 sticker on my car!!

I'm a terrible blogger.

I haven't posted anything on this blog in over a year. Here's why: last year my marathon training fell flat on its face the minute school started. I, of course, was too ashamed to admit that in a public forum. But I'm over it now. Because it's a new year and the third time's a charm, right?

This year is my third attempt at the marathon. And I've actually been doing really well with all the training! I've been getting up at 4am on school days to run, so I've been able to keep up with it. It sucked at first because 4 am is ridiculously early, but I've gotten used to it. It's like my little slice of solitary time with the universe. No one's awake. It's eerily silent. There are hardly any cars. Even most of the neighborhood dogs are asleep, which means I don't get yelled at every time I pass certain houses.

There are, however, some disadvantages to running that early. I've had fortify myself with a slew of gear for running in the dark: hi-visibility reflective vest, little lights to clip to my shorts... ok, perhaps not a slew, but I have definitely had to add to my running attire. Running at 4 am also makes one tired much earlier than usual. I'm normally ready to crash at about 8 pm, but can almost never get to bed before 10. So, I'm tired a lot. But that's ok. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

It's really not bad at all. The running has been going great. My longest run has been 18 miles. I was supposed to 20 last week but was apparently coming down with something flu-like because I've been sick since. So, I didn't make it last week, but I'm resting and relaxing and will get back into it tomorrow to be ready for Saturday's 22 miles!

I read through my old posts before writing this one. It's weird to me that I was struggling so much with 3 mile runs 2 summers ago! I am regularly running 5 or 6 miles now, and those are starting to feel easy. My heart rate, which used to hover around 170 at the end of a run, is now barely up to 150, and that's after sprinting the last bit. I've lost almost 40 pounds since January, my legs have almost magically turned into hard muscle, and I'm finding that most of my pants now require the use of a belt to stay up.

I finally feel like a runner! Now, if I could just get rid of this irritating virus, or whatever it is...