My 20 mile adventure

I have been jog journalling since I started my marathon training. Once I figure out how to transfer it here, I will.
This is my latest report on my latest long run. It's lengthy and graphic.
Dec.10, 2007
THE 20 MILE ADVENTURE!!!
The White Rock Lake Marathon was yesterday. And my first 20 mile was yesterday!! I woke up to 40 degree temps, 10-20 mile winds and constant rain. I went through the checklist in my head of everything I needed for the long haul and was out the door. Shit, I forgot gloves. By mile 4 I couldn't feel my hands. It felt like freezing needles stabbing me all over my hands. I tried sticking them in my sleeves but it made it impossible to move my arms. Shortly thereafter I noticed my husband pass me and gave me the "power fist." It's his signature move now. =) I waved him down and yelled for him to run to the store and get me gloves. And he was johnny on the spot. After he rode off, my mp3 shorted out and broke. I was so pissed that I ripped it off my arm and launched it out into bushes on the side of the road. I was so pissed because that meant that for the next 2 hours I needed to come up with songs to sing on my own to keep my mind occupied. The rain was so intense and the downpour was heavy. Every inch of clothing and every part of my body was freezing and drenched in rain. I'm slowly building up a good running wardrobe and I didn't think I'd need any cool weather tights for awhile. Especially living in Texas, the weather hasn't been that bad. The Nike pants that I wore didn't handle the job and were for sure not water resistant. My mid section, arms and face were the only things that were somewhat thawed. At mile 10 I had to pee so bad but there was really no place for me to go and I didn't want to stop. I made a quick decision and am still happy with the decision that I made. My clothes and pants are dripping wet, it's overcast and pouring down cold rain. Just go, Wendy. And I did. And I felt the warmest for those 2 minutes than I did on my whole 20 miles. If you are ever in a jam and it's cold and your clothes are already wet...travel tip: Just GO!! And I felt pretty hardcore after that and instantly started thinking of Iggy. Oh Iggy, how I love you. Then I had to break out with singing Search and Destroy. But, its heavy, "I'm freezing" breathes in between like, "I'm a...*puff puff* street walking cheetah...*puff puff* with a hand full of...*puff puff* napalm." You get the jist.
At mile 12, a water and gu spot, Mr. S (husband) hussles beside me and magically another set of gloves appear in his hands. He tells me to hand me the ones that I have on. I don't know what I mumbled to him. It was something like "No no I'm fine. I don't want to mess with it." I obviously didn't get what he was trying to tell me so he instantly barked instructions that were to the point. "Wendy, take off those drenched cold gloves and put these dry ones on that I've had on the heater vent of the car!" I quickly mustered them off and mumbled to him about me peeing on myself. I don't think he thought I was telling the truth then. He probably thought I was talking crazy. So, I tried to hand the gloves to him while running and him running along side me. As I'm trying to hand him the gloves he tells me to just drop them to the ground and he'll get them when I've jogged off. Those warm, dry gloves felt so good. But, It took me about 5 minutes to put them on because my hands were so stiff and cold. I barely had feeling in them. Mile 15 I met up with Mr. S again and told him I had to pee again. I ran off the road to trees and bushes and back that thang up and popped a squat. Mr. S quickly yanked the car around and positioned it just in front of me so cars wouldn't see me. He's a sweetie. Then I'm off again. Still completely soaked and so cold. I then remember the marathon that over 4,000 people are running. They're out there in this too, Wendy. And they're doing 6 more miles than you. Suck it up and keep going.
Mile 18...I'm getting a little coo coo with the weather. I start trying to think of songs I know all the words to. Andy Williams Holdiay Season/Happy Holidays was the only one that came to my head. I sang that over and over for the last 2 miles and at the finish line...there was no one. I was crazy pissed. I waited there for awhile then realized that I needed to keep my legs moving so they don't completely tighten up on me. My calf muscles were that sharp, quick pinch. I start walking back home and see Mr.S approaching. He pulls to the side and I honestly don't know what I was yelling at him. I just remember him and my son looking at me with huge saucer eyes, and then I told him I'm walking back home (which was only like a half a mile away). I start walking and he's driving along side yelling for me to get in the car. I just shouted back asking what the time was. He told me and it wasn't what I wanted to hear. I keep walking and just start bawling...boo hooing. I don't know if it was because of the time or because I was so numb and cold. I shuffle back to the house all cold. It felt like the walk of shame. Mrs. S runs up to me sweetly saying he's proud of me and pulls me into the bathroom. I sit down on the side of the tub and finally start to realize how frozen I am. He helps me get my shoes off and I just fall on him bawling telling him how sorry I am for yelling at him and how awesome he is to be there to help me. He helps me get out of my wet clothes and my whole body is red...like an apple. I thawed off in the hot shower for about a half an hour and then ate a huge bowl of pasta and diced tomatoes...
And all was well. The storm is over; the one with myself, and the one outside myself. I did it. I'm alive. No major pain aside from aching calves. I wanted to go at the most 10 minute mile pace finishing in 3:20. I was close. My pace was like 10 minutes and 15 seconds with a total time of 3:25. I think that not having the right pants on really did it for me. And 2 other potty stops plus the weather slowed me down a bit. I know, excuses. Hey, it was my first 20 miler. I didn't give up. I didn't stop. And I can't wait to do it again.