Whats next.....

Well I have signed up for another marathon on Feb 13, 2010 (Dad's & Thalia's Bday) in Myrtle Beach in SC and Glenn will be doing a 10 mile bike race on Feb 14Th. GO GLENN! I am looking at possibly doing a triathlon in South Beach Miami in April or there is a Navy Seals Obstacle race also in June.

I will probably be setting up a facebook page in the next few days and will post a link for it so keep your eyes open.

Thanks again.

I can't believe its over!

WOW! It is over. I have been struggling with this for over a week! I can not believe its over already. I have retold my story a few times now and it still feels so surreal! I am amazed that I did it. I have a medal and pictures so I know that there is proof, but I really did it! 1/10 of 10% of the population completes a marathon a year - I am part of that percentage - REALLY!


Sorry that I have not posted my final thoughts about this amazing event as you can tell I am really at a loss of what to say. It has so many different emotions all rolled up in one - happy, sad, pain, relief, WOW, amazing, I DID IT - and I just am having a hard time putting those thoughts into coherent sentences that all of you can understand.


The marathon started out with it raining and cool - one of the ladies I was with said that the rain drops were the tears and sweat from all the training that we endured over the last 6-7 months. I was keeping my pace the first 17 miles and the hills were not slowing me down any - especially since I did all the hill training. Then I had to find a port-a-potty for a nature call, of course had I been a guy - like the ones on the course - a bush would have worked just fine. Once that was taken care of I was still running strong and not feeling an issues. Then I came to the last of the hills and it was steeper than the others (or maybe it just felt that way because I had ran the others) and that caused me to slow down some. Once I cleared that one I knew it was all downhill now and the end was near. As I was running the crowd was thin, but I kept hearing "Bravo" and that was encouraging. Then disaster hit! I was 4 miles away from the end and I had tremendous amount of pain coming from my left foot. I looked down and saw blood that is when I realized that it was just a blister that must have popped. Problem was that I was not able to even walk on it. I was 4MILES from the end and knew I had to finish. I found a medical person and asked them for an aspirin or Advil to help with the pain. Once that was in my system I was able to jog.

As I took the last left turn into the stadium all my pain was forgotten and the moment passed by so fast! I wish I could have slowed the tape down. I heard Glenn cheering for me before I actually saw him. Then when I saw him the tears began and I crossed the finish line! OMG! It was surreal as they were putting the medal on my neck I did not even realize what time it was and if I finished on time. I rounded the corner hobbling along and I searched out Glenn and found him and just started crying and he started crying too. We were just so overcome with what had just happened. I made it to the medical tent and took the shoe off and surveyed the damage - not too bad just a blister that popped and caused some discomfort. =)

The next day I was ready to go for a walk and we went to the sea so I could soak my feet in the salt water. Glenn was complaining about his calves hurting him - from standing on marble for 5+ hours waiting for me. He also was very tired so we went back to the hotel so he could sleep.

The plane ride home was memorable since there were people who were congratulating me for completing the marathon and there was a lady that we were sitting next to who said that she was going to run it, but had a calf injury that prevented that from happening. She said she was going to do it next year.

My family and friends have all been so supportive since I have returned and have also wanted to know how I felt and what I am planning to do next. I have yet to make a decision on that - but stay tuned. I am thinking about starting a face book page so that my friends and family can leave me notes. But I will keep you all informed.

Thanks for the love and support and words of encouragement I used all of them from mile 22 to mile 26.2 you all are my rocks! I love you all and thank you all.

More pics...

Please see below more photos of me from the Athens Greece Marathon, again I can not thank you guys enough I could hear you all cheering for me from the start!!!!

Also scroll down and look at yesterdays post if you did not see it we have more photos.

Photos

These are some photos of me entering "The Stadium" this was build in 1876 I can not tell you or describe the emotions that run thru you when you see that finish line for this event, WOW it is AMAZING!!! The other photos are my COOL Red hair and the them taking the timing chip off my shoe. We have a more photos from the people who put this on that should be posted tomorrow.

Its OVER!!!!

Yippppeeeee!!!!! I FINSHED IT, completed it in 5HR 25Min was on track for a 4hr 30 min finish but on mile 20 I had a blow out on my left pinky toe. Thats ok I am happy its over and time for a rest. Will post pics this week goint to eat.....

HELLO ATHENS, GREECE

We have arrived! The weather is great! NO RAIN! My foot is doing better been resting it for the big day! We went to the town of Marathon today and drove the route that we will be running on Sunday. Glenn did an excellent job on assisting me with my hill training! There is not one hill that looks like Sterling on the Lake or the Reunion trio! I am excited that I am well prepared for this one! I can not believe that in two days I will be running the route that in 490 B.C. was run! Does not get any better than that!

We were in Athens today and at the Parliment building they have two soilders that are from the Presidental Guards and they guard the Tomb of the Unknown soilder. It was neat to watch them march around the tomb.

Tomorrow we are going to see some more monuments and historical places and then having a conference and get our racing numbers. Then it will be time to dye the hair orange for the big morning. Not too thrilled that Glenn will not be able to be at the start of this one, but hopefully he will get a scooter and meet me along the course. I will need the support! Running into the stadium is going to be unlike anything I have ever experienced!

Thats all for now. STAY TUNED!!!!!!!

We leave to tomorrow WOW that training has gone by fast. I went to see my Dr yesterday who made my inserts. He told me we have a lot of work to do with these and we will not be able to use them for this race we will use them for the big run in February. He told me that the pain in my foot up into my calf is "Tendonitis" due to off the shelf inserts not sitting in my instep correctly he said I will not do any more damage to my body by running on it he told me to just take some Advil and run. So my training this week has included only two 2 mile runs, and when I arrive on Thursday we will do a 2 mile run as well.

When I return next week I will need to take a break and after running this many miles I am OK with a month off but ONLY a month after all I am a runner and Glenn will tell you I drive him nuts if I take to long of a break.