I know it has taken a while for me to post about the race - things have been so incredibly hectic in my world that this is the first time that I've had a moment to really think and recap the events over the last week or so. My boss was in town last week, which took up the majority of the week -- and then all weekend I was busy so I haven't had a second to myself.
Anyway... so the marathon was AMAZING. I am having a lot of trouble accepting the accomplishment, but as the time passes, I am beginning to realize that it isn't about how FAST you run, but it is about the EXPERIENCE and the MEMORIES that unfold as you do it. I didn't run as fast as I wanted. I didn't run as WELL as I wanted. And I would by lying if in the 72 hours following the marathon that I cried a lot, felt jealous of everyone elses successes and didn't feel as if I accomplished anything. BUT again, as the time passes, and the pictures are posted, I realize that I was smiling (most of the time) and although I did hit the wall, I didn't give up. I didn't stop running. I DIDN'T WALK. Even though I didn't run as fast as I wanted, I DID run the whole time and I have to be proud of what I did do, not what I didn't. I DID it on my OWN. I crossed the finish line with the help of a lot of people -- and as I did that, there was more support then I ever could have imagined. As we climbed up from 26.1 to 26.2, everyone else was finished and Barry and Kristin were waiting there, Chip ran us in and at the end, we had a huge group of our parents, Devin, and a great crew of TNT people just waiting for us to finish.
The end of the race sucked. It blew. I hit the wall at 19 as we crossed over into anacostia. As I have talked to the coaches since the run, they have given me a little running secret - the wall is in your head. I felt GREAT during the first 19, but when I hit that wall, I just didn't want to keep going. I seriously did not talk for the last 7 miles. NOT A FREAKING WORD. (So i guess the lesson here is that if you want me to shut up, make me run 19 miles! :) ) -- I guess I have to learn how to get over it -- but until I do, I have to give an ENORMOUS amount of credit and appreciation to Kristina. She was amazing. There were times that I remember looking at her, and pulling her hand and saying "Kristina, I need you" -- and she never left me. She could have gone on and run ahead, but she stayed with me EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. She did not let me quit and she did not let me stop running. When I was quiet, she kept me moving and motivated. SHE was the strong one and she was my heart when mine wanted to stop. SHE was my rock and I can't being to express how much it means to me.
With all this said, I want to take a second to recognize Kristina - her friendship has meant so much to me over the last five months. I started this journey for so many reasons and the one thing that I never expected to get out of this was someone who is such an amazing friend. They say in your life, that you will take away four or five friends that will be yours for the rest of your life no matter what. I am absolutely proud to add Kristina to that list. Each one of the girls has made a significant impact in my life and been friends with me through so much - and Kristina is one of those people. She is one of the kindest hearts I have ever met -- and even though she may not believe it, she is one of the STRONGEST that I have ever met too. She not only carried ME through five months of training, but she carried me through 26.2 miles. When you run, you train. When you train, you spend time with people - she learned the insides and outs of who I am, what I have been through and how much this has meant to me. She has listened to my tears, my complaints, my stupid jokes and bad music -- and she has helped me become a stronger and better person. She is not only a running partner, but she is freaking fun as crap too - we have so much fun together outside of running, which makes it so special. She really is the reason that itI am FUN SAM! Oh and did I forget to mention... SHE LOVES ROCKY. Seriously I mean, I knew we were going to be friends at "DO IT!"
Anyway, back to the race - I have a lot of fun stories from the race that I will share when I get some pics ... but just to highlight a few here (more details later!):
- We ran the first 13.1 with Michele and I felt like the luckiest person in the world - I had the two people in my life that helped me to this point running with me. I have never felt so supported in my entire life - I truly feel lucky to have people like Michele and Kristina in my life. There was no way in HELL they were going to let me fail.
- We did a cartwheel (you had no idea of my gymnastic skills!) at 17 miles in the 9th Street Tunnel. I will NEVER drive that road again with out thinking of that moment! I mean, really, who does a cartwheel after 17 miles in a tunnel? WE DO!
- We saw a crack bust at 19 - we stopped to pee at the Harbor Police Station and there was nobody in there -- and then a block down the road there were all the police and a dude on the ground handcuffed COPS style. It was awesome!
- We saw Julie and her son (BABY PINK NIKES) at 16-- and it was amazing. I started to cry (Imagine that)
-Seeing my parents and Kristina's parents on the course was amazing. :)
- The TNT Waterstop was AMAZING - I loved seeing all the CMM teammates out there cheering us on! I am going to post another directly after this one with an email that I wrote to Caitlin that explains why I heart TNT!
- The Howard University kids were amazing! They had music and were cheering their asses off!
- The feeling of crossing that finish line is the most amazing feeling in the world. Nothing will ever take that feeling away.
Anyway - I wanted to post a note to let everyone know I finished. More to come later. I am still decompressing from this whole thing... :)
Congratulations to me. Even though I am still trying to believe it, I am proud of myself.
I did it... again.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
All your strength. All you power. All you HEART.
Last year when I ran with TNT, I spent the whole year with this huge fear of not being able to succeed --- not being able to finish -- with a huge fear of the unknown... I spent the entire time fighting this belief that I was attempting something that I was always told that I couldn't do.
So I am just about a day out. ONE DAY. ONLY ONE DAY. It's funny because I just skimmed through the blogs of last year and I remember what I felt this time last year... and it is SO much different this year. The nerves are excitement. The scared feeling I had last year is now just being prepared and wondering how much fun we are going to have on the course. The question of finishing is now an answer - and it is YES. There is no doubt.
I said at one point, last year I was playing against a team of the "Can'ts" -- and it totally took the fun out of the training and the race. The fear took over -- and that is something that in 18 years of competitive swimming I never let happen. I was WEAK last year -- and I depended on OTHERS to believe in myself. I know I was a headcase throughout the whole training and as much as I hate to admit it, it was probably the reason why Tom broke up with me. But that is neither here nor there and really, at this point, who gives a nut?
But- - it is funny how life sometimes works. Michele and I were sitting at lunch on Tuesday and she and I were talking. We've been working together for about nine months and when we started, she was training for the Marine Corps... and I started to run with her. She and I ran through a lot of tears and she listened, wiped the tears, gave great advice and really helped me back. There are times when I look back thinking that life was just the worst thing possible and she would just say - one step in front of another. And it worked. So we were sitting there on Tuesday and we were talking about my training and how in three days I was going to be running this huge race. She said to me that she was surprised with how calm I was and how ready I seemed. The one thing that she said, that really meant the world to me, was that over the last three months, there has been such a positive lift in my attitude, my daily demeanor and just my outlook on life.
Michele, the person who saw me at the lowest of lows, seeing such a change in me for the better, really means the world to me and it shows that this marathon is nothing like last years. This year, there is a totally different outlook. It isn't about playing a game of the can'ts - it is about playing a game of the "I wills". I WILL beat this marathon. I WILL be okay. I WILL smile the entire time because I WILL know that with every step, every pain, every mile, I WILL be completing the final step in rediscovering what life is all about. I WILL have fun. I WILL finish. Oh and I WILL do it because I believe in ME!
And I can't talk about this change in me without the team. THE TEAM in Team in Training is what did this. This, along with the friendship and support from Michele on those crazy Wednesday mornings, is what has made this happen. Every Friday I looked forward to crazy craft nights at Kristina's (wow that does sound fun), decorating the head, going to dinner, bothering Kevin at Best Buy, or trying to see movies based off our lives (he's just not that into you) -- and then waking up on Saturdays to run in 10 degree weather. Picking up bagels from Breuggers and saying hi to Kathy the manager and then driving to whatever location we may be at.
Birthday cakes for Mickey, Wedding cakes for Trish, silly heads, pots of gold, trips to buffalo, shitting my pants, bleeding nipples and jedi and his blinding speed, speakers to keep Margo and Hannah entertained, crazy bedazzaled visors, LEGWARMERS , Burgers and Beer at Nannys, wings at nannys- each moment, each "that's what she said joke", each email chain -- that is what makes this so special to me. It isn't about each of the miles that we've run each weekend, it is the relationships that we have developed and the fun that we've had. This team is more than just a team, we have become a family. Yes, a crazy, dysfunctional, silly, slightly incestuous family, but a family. A family that supports us when we feel week. One that will call you up if they know you've had a bad day. One that will just pack up and head to Baltimore because you have the day off. One that believes that you can finish even when all you want to do it call a cab.
Anyway, with all this said, these people - I can't name them all because then it would take a while - are what have made ME a positive person again. And they are the reason why I will be smiling the WHOLE freaking time while I run the ENTIRE 26.2 on Saturday. Well -- I might not run the whole thing -- I might dance a few blocks too. :)
GO TEAM.
And thank you -- thank you for everything.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunshine and Rainbows
So I got my bib number - #2626 -- and I am starting to be a little bit nervous. I do have to say that I am pretty excited about my number... I mean, #2626 -- I have decided I am going to run 26.26 -- just because it is such a great number. Special K is #2536 so look out for us! :)
We drove the race route last night -- and I am not going to lie, it is a little bit hilly. But with that said, nothing can be more hilly than Nashville last year. I think it will be incredibly beneficial that I am familiar with the route that we are running, and there is about a 6-7 mile stretch of road that we run on a regular basis, so that will be helpful. I do have to say that the route kind of kicks ass. We are running all through the streets of DC -- and it is going to be absolutely beautiful. The trees are just starting to bud and it should be a great day here in the city, so I am excited to be out there.
The route itself starts at RFK and we run to the Capitol and then down to constitution. We go up toward midtown and run down Connecticut Ave. We run through that area into Adams Morgan -- this section (from about 5-10) is rolling hills, but it will be fun because we run through Dupont... From there we go into an area I am not too familiar with, down by Children's Hospital and then back to RFK. From there we run the route on the Capitol again, to the Nats stadium and then into Anacostia... again, another area which I am not too familiar with. We do get to run through the 9th street tunnel, which sadly, really excited about! :) I guess there is something to be said about running through a tunnel...
With all this said, I am really trying to prepare my body and mind the best I can. I have done all the training, there is nothing more to do there. I am trying to eat well, get a lot of sleep and kick this horrific cold that I somehow caught (I blame Buffalo - wink wink). I am feeling better than I have before and I think two good nights of sleep have really done me well and I have totally cut out booze (I probably should have done that before). I am keeping my regular routine with spinning this week, although I did give up tomorrow morning's class so I could continue to catch up on my sleep and kick this cold.
Mentally, I am trying to get myself as prepared as possible. It is funny - I was talking to Mickey this week and you would think this is the part that I would be best at. I trained for months and months as a swimmer and I would do it all for 2 minutes and 15 seconds (or faster!!! :) ) So you would think that getting mentally prepared would be something I excel at -- I am trying really hard to get in the right mindset and not psych myself out. I think that is one thing that really hurt me last year -- was getting too wrapped up in the "if I can finish" -- I know I can finish. I know I can do this. I am stronger, more prepared then last year. And I have Kristina. She is going to be there EVERY step of the way. When I am mentally not there, she will be. And vice versa.
Today I sent out an email to the team with the "Monday Motivational Quote of the Day" to help get others ready -- it of course was a quote from Rocky (actually the one that is on this blog about going the distance with Creed) -- and it made me think -- this time it isn't about going the distance with Creed. Not that the quote by any means is lost on me, but really it isn't the one that sticks out in my head when I think about this experience.
Yes, it is about going the distance, but really this isn't (the first) Rocky. I've already fought Creed and for all purposes, I will consider it a draw -- just like the movie. And although this is not a rematch of the same fighter, it is another fight. And this time, I will win... (seriously I think I might need to stop watching these movies)
Anyway, at the beginning of the season, when Kristina and I first started running together, she sent me a quote (of course from Rocky!) and this quote has quickly become part of our mantra when we run -- and I think we can all relate to it...
So with that said, my bib number is #2626. If you aren't busy on Saturday, come out and cheer us on. We will be the ones with a smile on our face, singing, dancing, oh and of course, running.
#2626 // #2536
Now with all that said, and not to be rude or offend anyone, but I plan on making the SunTrust National Marathon my bitch on Saturday.
WIN, SAM WIN.
We drove the race route last night -- and I am not going to lie, it is a little bit hilly. But with that said, nothing can be more hilly than Nashville last year. I think it will be incredibly beneficial that I am familiar with the route that we are running, and there is about a 6-7 mile stretch of road that we run on a regular basis, so that will be helpful. I do have to say that the route kind of kicks ass. We are running all through the streets of DC -- and it is going to be absolutely beautiful. The trees are just starting to bud and it should be a great day here in the city, so I am excited to be out there.
The route itself starts at RFK and we run to the Capitol and then down to constitution. We go up toward midtown and run down Connecticut Ave. We run through that area into Adams Morgan -- this section (from about 5-10) is rolling hills, but it will be fun because we run through Dupont... From there we go into an area I am not too familiar with, down by Children's Hospital and then back to RFK. From there we run the route on the Capitol again, to the Nats stadium and then into Anacostia... again, another area which I am not too familiar with. We do get to run through the 9th street tunnel, which sadly, really excited about! :) I guess there is something to be said about running through a tunnel...
With all this said, I am really trying to prepare my body and mind the best I can. I have done all the training, there is nothing more to do there. I am trying to eat well, get a lot of sleep and kick this horrific cold that I somehow caught (I blame Buffalo - wink wink). I am feeling better than I have before and I think two good nights of sleep have really done me well and I have totally cut out booze (I probably should have done that before). I am keeping my regular routine with spinning this week, although I did give up tomorrow morning's class so I could continue to catch up on my sleep and kick this cold.
Mentally, I am trying to get myself as prepared as possible. It is funny - I was talking to Mickey this week and you would think this is the part that I would be best at. I trained for months and months as a swimmer and I would do it all for 2 minutes and 15 seconds (or faster!!! :) ) So you would think that getting mentally prepared would be something I excel at -- I am trying really hard to get in the right mindset and not psych myself out. I think that is one thing that really hurt me last year -- was getting too wrapped up in the "if I can finish" -- I know I can finish. I know I can do this. I am stronger, more prepared then last year. And I have Kristina. She is going to be there EVERY step of the way. When I am mentally not there, she will be. And vice versa.
Today I sent out an email to the team with the "Monday Motivational Quote of the Day" to help get others ready -- it of course was a quote from Rocky (actually the one that is on this blog about going the distance with Creed) -- and it made me think -- this time it isn't about going the distance with Creed. Not that the quote by any means is lost on me, but really it isn't the one that sticks out in my head when I think about this experience.
Yes, it is about going the distance, but really this isn't (the first) Rocky. I've already fought Creed and for all purposes, I will consider it a draw -- just like the movie. And although this is not a rematch of the same fighter, it is another fight. And this time, I will win... (seriously I think I might need to stop watching these movies)
Anyway, at the beginning of the season, when Kristina and I first started running together, she sent me a quote (of course from Rocky!) and this quote has quickly become part of our mantra when we run -- and I think we can all relate to it...
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty
place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep
you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as
life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and
keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"
So with that said, my bib number is #2626. If you aren't busy on Saturday, come out and cheer us on. We will be the ones with a smile on our face, singing, dancing, oh and of course, running.
#2626 // #2536
Now with all that said, and not to be rude or offend anyone, but I plan on making the SunTrust National Marathon my bitch on Saturday.
WIN, SAM WIN.
Friday, March 13, 2009
I am taking the dog... DUMBASS
So we're almost done. ONE WEEK LEFT! AAAHHHH. I feel good, I am looking good (hehehe) and I am trying to run well. I am ready for this run! And I know that I will have a DAMN GOOD time doing it. I never thought I would say that I would look forward to running 26.2 miles, but I know Kristina and I will do it and do it well!!!! :) I keep saying it, but this year has been amazing. I have never had so much fun in my life... for example...
Last weekend we all went to buffalo -- just for shits and giggles. We went up to hang out with Mickey's family and do some bar hopping. After our run on Saturday (on the Cap Crescent trail and I got a massive case of the "tripps" and got really really sick... and apparently got the quote of the season as I finished with "Charlie I have to go... I am about to sh*t my pants. Mickey I will see you at the airport")
So Buffalo was amazingly fun (MUAH MICKEY) and then we had our Bon Voyage for the Shamrock and National marathons. It was inspirational and got us all fired up and ready. Then this Thursday (yesterday) it was Special K (aka Kristina)'s birthday... and somehow a large, hair gorilla showed up at Cap City to sing her Happy Birthday and the Rocky Theme Song... And of course there was cake... mmm ... nothing is better than a good Birthday surprise. I do have to say that it was virtually impossible for me to keep the gorilla secret from Kristina. Poor Mickey had to hear me talking about it for the last five days... but he is such an amazing person that he didn't even let up if it bothered him.
As for this weekend, we are down to our last six... we are out at Reston and it should be a lot of fun. Kristina and I have a little surprise up our sleeves (er duct tape) and then it is really time to buckle down. We have to get ready and focus --- eating right, sleeping right and getting our heads together. It is game time. I feel like I am getting ready for a swim meet - we've done the work, our bodies are ready - the only thing left is finishing. And although it will be painful and suck ass while we are doing it, it will be the sweetest feeling crossing that finish line. Nothing in the world will feel as good as that will feel... because I am doing it by myself and FOR myself. This will be mine and nothing and nobody will be able to take this away from me. And as said in Legally Blonde... I am doing this myself - I am taking the dog DUMBASS.
Last weekend we all went to buffalo -- just for shits and giggles. We went up to hang out with Mickey's family and do some bar hopping. After our run on Saturday (on the Cap Crescent trail and I got a massive case of the "tripps" and got really really sick... and apparently got the quote of the season as I finished with "Charlie I have to go... I am about to sh*t my pants. Mickey I will see you at the airport")
Anyway, we went up on Saturday after our run and then came back on Sunday... We had our special shirts on ($25 each, let me know if you want one -- they say: 26.2. Beer. Cancer. Three things that have no chance with TNT) and we had a loottt of fun...Mickey and his family got us a party bus and we ended up at 4 bars. Now granted, I don't remember one of them, but here are some photos....
So Buffalo was amazingly fun (MUAH MICKEY) and then we had our Bon Voyage for the Shamrock and National marathons. It was inspirational and got us all fired up and ready. Then this Thursday (yesterday) it was Special K (aka Kristina)'s birthday... and somehow a large, hair gorilla showed up at Cap City to sing her Happy Birthday and the Rocky Theme Song... And of course there was cake... mmm ... nothing is better than a good Birthday surprise. I do have to say that it was virtually impossible for me to keep the gorilla secret from Kristina. Poor Mickey had to hear me talking about it for the last five days... but he is such an amazing person that he didn't even let up if it bothered him.
As for this weekend, we are down to our last six... we are out at Reston and it should be a lot of fun. Kristina and I have a little surprise up our sleeves (er duct tape) and then it is really time to buckle down. We have to get ready and focus --- eating right, sleeping right and getting our heads together. It is game time. I feel like I am getting ready for a swim meet - we've done the work, our bodies are ready - the only thing left is finishing. And although it will be painful and suck ass while we are doing it, it will be the sweetest feeling crossing that finish line. Nothing in the world will feel as good as that will feel... because I am doing it by myself and FOR myself. This will be mine and nothing and nobody will be able to take this away from me. And as said in Legally Blonde... I am doing this myself - I am taking the dog DUMBASS.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The final countdown!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/cmc09/sperry
I am at the "Final Countdown" of the marathon... I only have 3 weeks left and I am not going to lie, this totally just hit me about 5 minutes ago when I was on the phone with Michele. I can not believe how fast time has flown by... and how incredible of a journey this has been. I have met some AMAZING people that I know will be friends for life and I have been able to accomplish things that I really didn't think that I could do.
Even though I did it last year, this year is totally different. I know I have said it before, and I will say it again - this year is SO much better. SO much more fulfilling and it has truly saved my life... brought ME back. Again, I had a blast last year - Colleen made it incredibly special for me , but this year it has just been a totally different experience.
Anyway - enough of that - let's get to the 20 miles that I ran this past weekend. And for the record, when I say RAN, I mean, RAN THE WHOLE F-N THING. The waterstop stops probably didn't even total 5 full minutes and we did the whole thing in 3:52 (woohoo). Our half marathon time was about 2:23 (I think)-- so we are on pace for a pretty solid time this year. I am so excited for that moment when Kristina and I cross that finish line - it will be such an amazing feeling - and doing it in our home town - with our friends and family there to cheer us on! :)
The run itself this weekend hurt like hell -- well, at least the end did. The first 14 miles were great - we were freaking flying. Kristina has the most amazing watch that will tell the pace that you are keeping -- and so we are able to make sure that we aren't going too fast. I know that we were trying to average 11 minute miles but the first 10 miles we were going between 10:15 and 10:30, but it felt good so we just let it happen.
We have these speakers that I keep on my water belt that really makes the time pass -- we've had them since the 15 mile run -- and they are AMAZING and really keep people entertained on the course... which is something that we are really, really good at. Not trying to toot our own horn, but we truly are nothing but a good time out there. We may not be the fastest folks, but we certainly have the most fun while running. Between the speakers, the heads and our AMAZING bedazzled (well technically they aren't bedazzled) visors, we really do bring a smile to peoples faces when they pass us. Or maybe it is just my horrible dancing and singing skills that make people smile/laugh. But with all the fun we do bring to the course, it is a little unnerving that during the last 4-5 miles we are all alone on the course, but when we do run past people and they are smiling, it makes us feel good and forget our pain.
Anyway, back to the run, as we passed the 14 mile mark, my hips and knees started to really ache and then got REALLY bad at the end (specifically 17-20). Oh and let me also mention that my right foot was asleep for most of the run - which ALWAYS freaks me out (the whole circulation thing is a killer). Honestly, I would have probably just walked off the course and called a cab had it not been for Kristina. She was amazing. She knew that I needed help and she was able to get past all the negative thoughts in my head and keep me moving forward. I would NOT have finished if it wasn't for her. She made me kept going and I am SO lucky to have her with me. She is such an amazing friend and person - and I can't believe how lucky I am to have her with me every step of the way. It really was her who got me to finish those last 5 miles.
The course itself was pretty good - we had it broken up into four 5-mile increments, which made it easier for us to deal with. The first half was great - it was really that fourth quarter that was killer! :) But we did it and that is all that matters. Oh and I can't forget to mention that in the home stretch, Mickey was there to run us in. And in the last few yards, they both grabbed my hands to run in, and it meant more to me than anything. Knowing that he stood out there for about a hour after he finished to run not just us, but EVERYONE in, just says what a great guy he is. He is truly one of those people that come into your life and you just want to let everyone have a little piece of him because he is so great! Both him and Kristina have quickly become such great friends to me, I just don't know what my life was like before them! :)
Now that we have the long runs out of our way, the last thing that we have left to do is taper down and finish the run! I am excited about it and I know that we are going to have a blast during the actual race and I am excited for it to get here. And knowing that it isn't the end also helps -- knowing that I am going to be traveling to Nashville again and only running 13.1 will be great -- so I can really experience the town again. Kristina is making the trip with me too, so I know it will be SUPER fun the whole time!!! :)
I can't post without an update on fundraising - I have officially reached my minimum! :) I am very excited about that! BUT I still have my PERSONAL goal of $3000, which I am still about $800 away from... so if you haven't already, please donate. I sold tshirts to the team and raised about $160 from that, so I am happy with that, and I am selling my amazing visor decorating skills for $25 per visor (and $50 for a singlet) -- with all the profits going to TNT. I am not sure how many of those we will sell, but we will see!
Well as the time ticks down to the first race, I will continue to post and let all the millions of readers that I know follow this blog know how I am feeling... hahahaha
Anyway, thanks for reading and thank you for your support! :)
GO TEAM!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/cmc09/sperry
I am at the "Final Countdown" of the marathon... I only have 3 weeks left and I am not going to lie, this totally just hit me about 5 minutes ago when I was on the phone with Michele. I can not believe how fast time has flown by... and how incredible of a journey this has been. I have met some AMAZING people that I know will be friends for life and I have been able to accomplish things that I really didn't think that I could do.
Even though I did it last year, this year is totally different. I know I have said it before, and I will say it again - this year is SO much better. SO much more fulfilling and it has truly saved my life... brought ME back. Again, I had a blast last year - Colleen made it incredibly special for me , but this year it has just been a totally different experience.
Anyway - enough of that - let's get to the 20 miles that I ran this past weekend. And for the record, when I say RAN, I mean, RAN THE WHOLE F-N THING. The waterstop stops probably didn't even total 5 full minutes and we did the whole thing in 3:52 (woohoo). Our half marathon time was about 2:23 (I think)-- so we are on pace for a pretty solid time this year. I am so excited for that moment when Kristina and I cross that finish line - it will be such an amazing feeling - and doing it in our home town - with our friends and family there to cheer us on! :)
The run itself this weekend hurt like hell -- well, at least the end did. The first 14 miles were great - we were freaking flying. Kristina has the most amazing watch that will tell the pace that you are keeping -- and so we are able to make sure that we aren't going too fast. I know that we were trying to average 11 minute miles but the first 10 miles we were going between 10:15 and 10:30, but it felt good so we just let it happen.
We have these speakers that I keep on my water belt that really makes the time pass -- we've had them since the 15 mile run -- and they are AMAZING and really keep people entertained on the course... which is something that we are really, really good at. Not trying to toot our own horn, but we truly are nothing but a good time out there. We may not be the fastest folks, but we certainly have the most fun while running. Between the speakers, the heads and our AMAZING bedazzled (well technically they aren't bedazzled) visors, we really do bring a smile to peoples faces when they pass us. Or maybe it is just my horrible dancing and singing skills that make people smile/laugh. But with all the fun we do bring to the course, it is a little unnerving that during the last 4-5 miles we are all alone on the course, but when we do run past people and they are smiling, it makes us feel good and forget our pain.
Anyway, back to the run, as we passed the 14 mile mark, my hips and knees started to really ache and then got REALLY bad at the end (specifically 17-20). Oh and let me also mention that my right foot was asleep for most of the run - which ALWAYS freaks me out (the whole circulation thing is a killer). Honestly, I would have probably just walked off the course and called a cab had it not been for Kristina. She was amazing. She knew that I needed help and she was able to get past all the negative thoughts in my head and keep me moving forward. I would NOT have finished if it wasn't for her. She made me kept going and I am SO lucky to have her with me. She is such an amazing friend and person - and I can't believe how lucky I am to have her with me every step of the way. It really was her who got me to finish those last 5 miles.
The course itself was pretty good - we had it broken up into four 5-mile increments, which made it easier for us to deal with. The first half was great - it was really that fourth quarter that was killer! :) But we did it and that is all that matters. Oh and I can't forget to mention that in the home stretch, Mickey was there to run us in. And in the last few yards, they both grabbed my hands to run in, and it meant more to me than anything. Knowing that he stood out there for about a hour after he finished to run not just us, but EVERYONE in, just says what a great guy he is. He is truly one of those people that come into your life and you just want to let everyone have a little piece of him because he is so great! Both him and Kristina have quickly become such great friends to me, I just don't know what my life was like before them! :)
Now that we have the long runs out of our way, the last thing that we have left to do is taper down and finish the run! I am excited about it and I know that we are going to have a blast during the actual race and I am excited for it to get here. And knowing that it isn't the end also helps -- knowing that I am going to be traveling to Nashville again and only running 13.1 will be great -- so I can really experience the town again. Kristina is making the trip with me too, so I know it will be SUPER fun the whole time!!! :)
I can't post without an update on fundraising - I have officially reached my minimum! :) I am very excited about that! BUT I still have my PERSONAL goal of $3000, which I am still about $800 away from... so if you haven't already, please donate. I sold tshirts to the team and raised about $160 from that, so I am happy with that, and I am selling my amazing visor decorating skills for $25 per visor (and $50 for a singlet) -- with all the profits going to TNT. I am not sure how many of those we will sell, but we will see!
Well as the time ticks down to the first race, I will continue to post and let all the millions of readers that I know follow this blog know how I am feeling... hahahaha
Anyway, thanks for reading and thank you for your support! :)
GO TEAM!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/cmc09/sperry
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