my marathon story

MY MARATHON STORY
So this is going to be long and winded so get some coffee and expect a long read.This story starts about a week ago when my mother told me of one of our family friends that is living in Austin. She owns a tattoo shop and has some...well, many super cool tattoos. A friend of hers was flying in from Australia to run the Cowtown Marathon. She was going to go to California first to see friends then fly into DFW for the Cowtown Marathon.The same marathon that I'm running. Our friend told my mother that she couldn't make it out here in time to pick up her friend from the airport and asked my mom to pick her up. My mom accepted the favor and said that as long as she gave me my marathon tattoo, she'd do it. So, my mom gave me a call and asked if I would go with her to pick up this lady that neither of us have met. I thought it would be great to talk to another marathoner and see where she was at in her training. Thurs. came around and my mom and me made a sign so the lady would know what stranger to go to when getting off the plane. Her name was Christine Getz. We get to the airport and park ourselves at the revolving door just by the baggage carousel where she would be picking up her bags. Dillon wanted to hold the sign and I thought that would be great since he can't stand still. The lady would be sure to see the sign with her name on it. Mom and I are talking about what she looks like and how old she is...then I notice on the other side of the baggage carousel a lady dressed a bit fancy with black shades (mmm) and a leopard print jacket. She looked very familar to me. I say nothing and my mom is still chattering away. This lady is coming closer towards us and my mom then blurts out that she thinks that's the lady. I'm soo fixated on looking for this other the lady that it doesn't register. I say very nonchalontley..."NO, that's Amy (my sister)." Then a, "OMG!! That's Amy." It still didn't really click. Her husband is a test pilot col. in the Air Force so I was assuming that maybe she had a layover or something and just thought she'd surprise me with a "good job" before my big day. Then I keep asking over and over, "Is this a joke?" Then she tells me that not only did she fly down to see me do my marathon but she entered in the half marathon and she is going to run the first 8 miles with me in my first marathon. I was so overwhelmed with a perma-grin. Amy has been running marathons for over 10 years and she's been my "go to" tip person threw most of my training. What a huge, great thing to come about for my first marathon. And, I see her maybe once a year. Needless to say there was no Christine Getz and Jenny wasn't going to give me my marathon tat. Oh well. This was a much better gift. So, the next two days...TH. and FR. we did nothing but eat out and shop. We went to a greek restaurant the night before the race and I ate a ton of lamb souvlaki and pita bread, baba ghonoush (sp?), tahini, and a ton of water. I had been carb loading so much that week and especially the last two days that I honestly felt like I couldn't put another bite in my mouth, I was so miserable. I felt as if I would just pop. Went to bed around 10 and slept like a rock. 4 am came quick and I was up and stretching and getting dressed in the closet so as not to wake the rest of the house. I huffed down a half of a bagel with peanut butter even though it made me feel even more bloated than I already was. I went to the bathroom so many times I can't even count. But, this is a standard for me the morning of the race. I make myself. I want to get it all out so as not to have issues on the trail, and if you've read any of my past running stories you know that I usually do have issues during my long runs in my training. BREAK....My weird rituals that I do before a race:The night before Dillon, my son, gave me his mood ring for me to wear for good luck. I instantly put it on my thumb and told him I would wear it for the whole thing. I always wear my sisters LA Marathon t-shirt the night before a race. She gave me the shirt when she found out I was training for my first marathon. I put my runner bib under my pillow to "sleep on" the night before. The day before the race day my sister and mom and me went to have lunch at this awesome mexican place. When we were getting out of the car my sister stopped and pointed to a dime facing heads up. She said, "Look a lucky dime. That's good luck. Get it." So before I went to bed I put it in the inside of my running shorts pocket. One ritual I always do the morning of any race even if it's just a 5K, I unlace and relace my shoelaces 2x. I don't know why. Maybe just to make sure they are where they should be. So, there's my list of rituals. A few new ones have been added. We left the house at 5:45 am and I felt so pumped and ready that I could hardly stand it. We made it downtown and parked in the parking garage. I felt as if I was being brought to a "coming together" if you will, for my people. I felt so at home and excited. As I'm getting out, I see other runners by their cars going through some of the same rituals as I do when at the race site. Like tucking, checking, stretching, meditating, etc. I went directly to the expo tent. I remembered yesterday when I was there to pick up my packet that there was a big blue felted stage at the back of the tent with nothing on it. Perfect spot to stretch and focus. I am in the middle of the square of Sundance so there really wasn't a spot unused to go to. And it was still really cold out. At least in the expo tent they have a few heaters going. So I made it over to the little blue stage and started my focus and zen search. Mr. S, my husband, and his brother, Stephen, found me and then I had to go pee again. I went out and found a CAN-DO john. When coming back to my spot in the tent I noticed my mom and sister had made it. Mr. S took pictures of us and we cut up a bit. Next thing you know it's time to take the stage to the starting line. Amy and I said our goodbyes and went into the huddle. My sister is like another momma to me. She took care of me a lot of my teenage years during the rough spots of my dad leaving us. So, she kind of just takes over without a thought and I let her; almost like a itty bitty baby monkey. It was still under 40 degrees and I'm wearing itty bitty shorts and a tank. My sister squatted down and started rubbing my legs up and down and giving me prep and pep talks. She joked that we probably looked like a running lesbian couple with her rubbing my legs but she didn't care. She rubbed my arms and told me that I had this in the bag. The Andrew Sisters were there and sang the anthem and then we're off. The first 8 miles was almost a party. It fel like I really just ran a half marathon that morning because of her with me on the first part of the run. I'm with my sister and we're talking like sisters do. Joking about the weirdos that passed by, singing cheesy songs, took a few quick photos on her cell, going on about mom, our kids. Oh no, I was one of "those" runners. The ones that irritate me so during races. But,really, it was seriously the best feeling. We kept our pace at about a 9:40 to 10:00. I would of gone a bit faster if my sister wasn't there. But I was enjoying us being together. The split finally came for the half'ers to go another route. I yelled, "I love you's" and she yelled them back. I felt good. On the highest cloud. I felt no pain whatsoever. My previously injured foot was not an issue...ever. I love Ft. Worth. The town is seriously a gorgeous town. But I'm always in Ft. Worth when it's time to party...at night. So I only see the the Sundance area or the arts district if there's an exhibit I want to see. It's almost like a mini Austin. The residential areas are absolutely amazing. We ran around the famous golf course, through the botanical gardens...that was beautiful. And the people. There is nothing like it. In the front yards, people had little card tables giving out bananas, oranges, GU, and vaseline. I had forgot to lube my thighs just before. I even had my vaseline in my backpack. I was on a mission the whold race in search of vaseline. Every aid station...no vaseline. Finally around mile 16 a family had vaseline. I was so happy grabbing 2 swipes and thanking them over and over. One yard...this was the best cheer in my vote, 3 teenage Ramones looking boys. A drum set, a bass and a guitar. They were totally rocking out playing some Ramones tune. I threw my fists up whoo hooing as loud as I could. The other thing that helped was a tip that another marathoner had suggested. Tape your name on your shirt and the spectators will yell your name. It's a great uplifting thing to hear when you're hurting. And it worked. Every single spectator that I passed yelled out a "GO WENDY" or a "Looking good, WEndy." And every person I yelled back a "Thank you" or a "whoo hoo." The fire fighters and officials...every one of them that was holding back traffic at intersections got one of those "thank yous" from me, as well. Mile 17 I had to pee. Thank goodness they have CAN-DO potties all over. Mile 18 in a part of the Trinity Park there was a woman playing the viloin for the runners. I yelled to her that she was awesome and she yelled back that I was awesome. Kids in their frontyards cheering with clappers and dancing, older women still in nightgowns with coffee cups cheering; it was all such an unbelievable feeling to take all in. And the scenery. To see my town from a different view. It's usually from my car going 30-40 mph. This is so much better. I kept remembering the lady in Luke's Locker telling me to watch out and remember mile 24. From there on out it's all uphill till the finish. That's when you hit your "wall" and so don't want a hill. Especially one that never ends. I'd rather have one quick steep hill than a gradual one for 2 miles. I hit mile 24 and see Tara, her daughter, Jayden, Joey and Amanda. I instantly get a jolt of energy back that was much needed. I was really starting to drag and hurt. Both of my Achilles tendons were throbbing and my quads were aching. Tara is yelling for me to go and I'm looking good. I hear Joey and Amanda yelling and whooping. It was just so awesome. Little 6 yr. old Jayden starts running with me down the block. It was almost slow motion seeing this little girl with the wind blowing her hair and this big huge smile at me all giggling. Oh, it just brings tears to my eyes. I told her she looked like a true runner and next thing you know, I've turned the corner and they're gone. Woo, I feel good. 2 miles left. Let's get this done so I can just enjoy my family and success. I hit the aid station for water, look up and notice a familar face handing out water. I know he was from the Runners World.com forum. I'm almost sure it was 5ksandcabernets. Coolio. So I blurt out in my weird 24 mile craziness, "Hey, Runner's World. com." And I'm gone. Looking back on that he was probably like, "Man, who is that nutso chic?"So the chic at Luke's Locker was not lieing. OMG!! That hill was taking people down. People started dropping like flys. People that looked very experienced in the sport were cramped over, puking, hobbling, crying. It was like a death march. I couldn't believe the magnitude of what this does on your body and the reality of it was all becoming known to me instantly. I felt so thankful and blessed to have trained properly and well. The pains and injuries that I had were nothing like some of these other people. The hill...It hurt so bad. I kept telling myself that it's almost over just run as fast as you can. Find it somewhere deep, way deep and pull it up and just do it. You're already hurting, Wendy. So just give it your all and be done. I start my hill mantra, " I love hills. I love hills." I started saying it out loud. I know I looked ridiculous. I passed these two girls that were walking. They looked over at me as they heard it. How cool...they started back up running as soon as they heard my chant. Come on people. Don't let this road take you. I get to the last half mile. It's right off the access road getting ready to turn left to go straight into downtown. I see a guy at the intersection that looks like an offical getting ready to shot my time and pace. It was Stephen, Mr. S' brother. He starts yelling that I look good and I'm almost there. Just a few more turns. I'm so thankful, emotional and overwhelmed. I yell out that I love him and pass. After I pass I just start bawling. I pass the next corner and there's Dillon standing on a City bus bench with a sign and my sister and mom are standing next to him. My mom starts running on the street towards me at the other runners and yelling to those runners and spectators, "That's my girl. That's my girl. That's my baby girl." Amy is yelling that I look awesome and I'm almost there. I turn the corner and I see it...2 blocks down, straight ahead...the finish. I just start hauling ***. I reached down somewhere in my reserves and just started sprinting. I hear my name called out on the P.A. and see Sean to the left of me saying that he loves me. I run threw, fists in the air crying my eyes out. Thank God I had my sunglasses on through this whole crying thing, so no one could see how hidious I really looked. I get through the finish and am given my medal. There is a a gated off circle that I'm standing in with spectators all around me. I'm just walking and walking in circles to keep from cramping up. Sean comes up to me and reaches out to me over the barricade and gives me a big hug saying he's so proud of me. I just bury my head in his chest and let it all out. 18 weeks of training, blister, callouses, strains, cramps, ice baths, it was all such a long hard journey but this moment...this moment right now, it's all so worth it. This moment is completely locked in my soul and will remain there and no one, no one can take that away from me. I feel so much pride and peace in myself that nothing matters. I feel love, accomplishment, self-worth, all of those cheesy cliches, yes, I feel it all. Within seconds my sister, Dillon and mom come running up the sidewalk and my momma grabs me and lifts me up like I'm 2 again and she's holding me. I wrap myself around her. It's just so awesome to know that there are these people that really care for me and love me. Joey and Amanda walk up with their kids. And I'm just hugging all over everyone. Hugs, hugs, hugs. They had to leave and my sister quickly tells me I need to start eating right now before my body just freaks out. Again, she's another momma and is making sure I do things right. She's saying not to drink much alcohol because my body is in shock even though it doesn't feel like it. She goes on saying she doesn't want me to be hospitilized, yadda yadda. I ate and had a few beers. Got my finishers tech shirt, went home and did the ice bath, shower, icy hot cream, ate 2 bowls of mashed potatoes for carbs, had some champagne, took a nap, then went to momma's for food.This was the most amazing experience that I've ever had. And I will do this again. I'm officially hooked. Expect to see me in Dec. at White Rock biatches. And until then I will be training on my speed doing tempo and speed runs, 5k races and 15k races. My favorite sign held by spectator: Toenails are 4 wimps!My stats:4:13:18 9th place in age group263 overall place9:40 pace per mile. Hey, not bad for my very first marathon, eh?