Its official...I'm hooked. I'm a total Marathon junkie now. I'm sure I'll change this statement while training for the next one...but right now the euphoria from finishing my first one is still in full effect. This Sunday I ran in the 2nd annual San Antonio Rock and roll 1/2 marathon. 31,000 people were gathered at the start line around 6:30 am on Sunday morning. You could feel the crowd pulse with excitement, and the anticipation of the start gun was exhilarating. I was in the 19th corral (you are grouped according to your expected finish time) so I was WAYYYYY in the back. I couldn't even see the start line- but I could hear the announcers and all the cheering each time a corral started. It took 40 minutes for me to even cross the start line- but the 40 minutes of anticipation made me that much more excited!
About mile 8 though- I was not excited. This is when the mental battle "should I keep running or take a break to walk?" began...and it lasted until the 12th mile. But- I tell you what: it is so encouraging to have so many people on the sidelines cheering perfect strangers on- you just don't want to quit. There wasn't a single place along the whole course without crowds of people cheering. Plus- I knew I was being 'tracked' by friends, family, and co-workers, which also helped keep my mind focused on keeping pace. They set up a new program where supporters could track individual racers via text message. (there is a tag tied to the runner's shoe, and we run over metal detector type things laying in the road ever few miles). Byron was on call- but was able to see how I was doing via phone.
By the last mile- huge masses of people are lining the streets cheering you on for the last mile. I felt a surge of energy to keep running and cross that finish line! The last 10th of a mile was strait UP hill to the Alamo dome (where the Spurs play). Ugh. But- man- when you can see the finish line- somehow- you find the willpower to go all out.
I finished in 2 hrs and 8 minutes which was about 12 minutes faster than I planned! I cooled down a bit and called Byron to tell him I finished, but I couldn't hear him at all. "Are you in the ER or something?" I asked. Byron: "No- I'm at the race...did you finish?!?!" I wanted to cry I was so touched. He was on call the night before with zero sleep anticipating not being able to make it to the race at all. But he came! He got to the finish line about 3 minutes after I crossed. But seriously- it meant the world to me that he came. I know he was exhausted, traffic was terrible (all the roads being closed and all), and the crowds of people were just everywhere, but he came. Do I have a great husband or what?!?! And...he brought me roses. What a guy I tell ya.
We waited for Julie to finish and then walked around a bit to all the booths to cool off and get our free stuff:) Byron went home strait to bed and I joined him later for a much needed nap. My boss was great and allowed me to take Monday morning off to recover so we headed to the ranch for the night. It is so peaceful up there. It was wonderful to have some down time to relax and recover. Byron got up to hunt in the morning...but I slept in. I could hardly move the next day. the stairs are still not my friend. I took a hot bath and made some breakfast and enjoyed reading the paper on the front porch. It was wonderful. I did not want to come back!
So...after running a 1/2....I now want to attempt a full. Maybe. I'm half way there. I was a bit jealous of those that finish the full! What an accomplishment! It takes so much hard work but I want to say that I did it. Just once. I'll keep you posted.
