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.