26.2 DONE

Well, it's finally done, on Saturday...

I RAN A MARATHON.

AND KYLE RAN A HALF MARATHON!

Shortly after I finished.

I still can't believe I can now count myself among the people who've also achieved this feat.  Running that far was an exhilarating, challenging, exciting and emotional experience that I know I'll remember forever.

Was it the hardest thing I've ever done?  No.  Giving birth was harder.

Do I want to do it again someday? Definitely.

Was it as fun as I thought it would be? Yes and no.  The crowd, the adrenaline, the bands, and the other runners made the experience a blast, but the actual run was the worst "long run" I had during all of my training. 

Did I enjoy myself?  Yes! I absolutely love running in races, especially ones that have people cheering you on...there were tons of supporters! High-fiving the little kids was the best.

Did I like running it by myself? Yes and no.  One of the reasons I love running so much is because it is totally an individual sport.  100% up to you.  But there were lots of runners in pairs and small groups, it sorta made me feel lonely.

What was my time? 4:39:26  I don't really have anything to say about my time except that it's a tad longer than I was expecting.  But it does include a restroom break, a first aid break,  texts and calls to and from my family, and many water stations I walked through.

Am I disappointed by my time? Yes and no.  Yes because I'm hard on myself and my pace was the slowest I've run any long runs, but no because I ran 26.2 freaking miles!!!!

What was my favorite part?  Finishing.  And seeing family as they cheered me on about 50 yards from the finish line.

What did I do after I stepped across the finish line? I savored the moment and tried to hold back my tears. Yes, I wanted to cry.   

How did I feel after? I was on this crazy runners high for the first hour or so afterwards and then I crashed.  I was extremely tired and started feeling all the aches and pains in my legs and feet.  I came home, showered, and didn't want to move for the rest of the day.

Now a short play by play of how it all went down: 

We ended up getting to the Savannah Mall to take a shuttle to the starting line at about 6:15ish, the race started at 7:30.  With Savannah being a fairly small city, shuttling people downtown to the starting line made the most sense logistically.  When we pulled into the parking lot Kyle dropped me off near some portables so I could use the bathroom while he parked.  We figured giving ourselves an hour and 15 minutes was plenty of time, but after examining the lines of people waiting to get on the buses I quickly realized there were a few THOUSAND people already waiting ahead of us.  Yeah, a few thousand!!! And after some serious bus drama (I'll spare you guys the long dramatic story about how hundreds of evil people cut us in line) we finally made it on a bus a little after 7:15.  Even though I was in corral 11 and Kyle was in 15, I knew we were going to miss starting with our groups.  To say I was freaking out would be an understatement.  Kyle in his "if it's something I can't control I'm not going to stress about it" state of mind was trying to reassure me that it was going to be fine.  We didn't get off the bus until 7:45...maybe a little after!!  We ran to the portables to use the bathroom one last time and then we ran to the front of the huge line of people waiting to start the race.  I ended up starting in corral 17 or 18 I think.  There were tons of people in the same predicament that we were who had missed their corrals too...hopefully the race people recognized these shuttling issues and a better solution will be set in place next year. 

Picture I took on my phone right before mile 1. See all those dots off in the distance?  Those are people!

When I first started the race the adrenaline was flowing and I was pumped...this really came back to bite me in the butt.  I ran the first 4 or 5 miles waaaay faster than I should've, in the low 9:00 pace range where I usually start off at a slower 10:00 pace.  After we passed mile 6 it hit me, I still had 20 more miles to go.  And soon after that I started to lose that initial wave of excitement and began to slow my pace down.  The full and half marathoners ran together for about 11.5 miles and there were a lot more half runners than full.  I think that only hurt me.  Those people were in a totally different state of mind and were running half the distance I was.  Around mile 10 I noticed many people started to pick up their pace, and I began to slow mine.  As we began to split, part of me wished I could just continue on with the half runners and the other part of me was proud to be "one of the crazy people."

Miles 13-18 were the worst.  I began having stomach cramps and was starting to feel mentally defeated.  I started off the race entirely too fast and had used energy that I needed then.  Never in any of my runs had I felt as tired or weak as I did during those miles.  Right after I passed mile 15 I saw a little girl holding a sign that said "only 11 more to go."  The sign was not encouraging.  Now don't get me wrong, I was having a good time and I was relishing in the excitement of running my first marathon the entire time, but those miles were hard to get through.  During that time I stopped to use the bathroom and stopped at a first aid station to get some pain medication for my cramps and for some pain I was experiencing in my hip. 

After I got to 19 I started to see the end in sight.  And then around mile 21 I saw my friends Laura and Miguel  with their cute dogs and they seriously gave me the greatest boost!!!  I hadn't seen a single person I knew up to that point and seeing them really helped me out.  After that, I got a second wave of energy.  All the aches and pains I had been experiencing (mostly) went away and I started to feel positive and really excited again.  Many people around me began walking but I just continued on.  Those last 5 miles were the most fun because with every passing mile I knew I was getting closer and closer to the finish. 

Laura snapped this picture of me as I ran past.

I am so happy she took these, they're the only ones I have of me actually running!

Finally I was at mile 25 and I picked up my pace to a little under 10:00.  As I passed mile 26 I couldn't believe it was almost over.  I kept scanning the crowd looking for Kyle and my family.  When I finally saw them I felt so proud and loved.  I grabbed Cambria's hand as I ran by and she smiled and clapped for me (a moment I'll always remember).  I also distinctly remember my dad giving me a huge high five.  I did a slight sprint into the finish and it was over! I was thrilled..and the instatnt I stopped running I felt every ache and pain. When I finally found my family I gave them all hugs and when my mom asked me how I felt I couldn't help but cry.  I had finally achieved something I've wanted to do for years and something I've spent countless hours training for over the last 18 weeks. 

Kyle almost to the finish.  I think he was probably yelling to get Cambria's attention.

Kyle finished the race in 2:20:46! Two years ago Kyle was not even a runner and he struggled through a 5k...he's come such a long way in the last two years!  I'm so proud of him for running the 1/2 in the time that he did!!! If you would've asked us two years ago, I don't think either of us would've thought we would run the distances we did.

Another one of Kyle waving to everyone.

The moment I found my family.  That's my dad with arms open wide ready to hug me.

Love my daddy <3

Hugs for everyone.

Crying after my mom asked me how I felt.  Ashley's saying "that's exactly how I felt too!" (she recently ran a 1/2) You know, prior to that big belly ;)

Proud of those hard earned-medals! I think our TEAM FREEMAN shirts looked sharp.

I felt so loved having my entire family there to support us.

Kyle's dad Sean also ran the half, he did awesome as well!!  Running this race was an absolute blast...can't wait until next year!  Thanks to everyone who helped Kyle and I throughout these last few months by watching the kids...you know who you are! :D And thanks to my sisters and Phillip for coming all the way from Atlanta to support us! Love you guys :)

An update on all things marathon training

new kicks, Brooks Defyance 4

Have YOU donated to TEAM FREEMAN yet? 

If you forgot what it's all about, here's a link to my original blog post.

We've already had a few sponsors, but aren't near our $200 each yet.

Just follow this link, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and fill out all necessary info.

Please consider donating to this cause. It's a good one.

$1, $5, $10....any and everything helps.

Please and thank you!

Now an update on my training.  After my 10 mile run at the end of week 9 of my training (two Saturdays ago) I developed a pain in my hip/leg.  It worsened as the days went on and on Tuesday, when I tried running again, I didn't get 50 yards before turning around. It was just too painful.  I quickly made an appointment with my chiropractor who is also a certified Chiropractic Sports Physician.  Since then, I've been seeing him regularly and we've developed a training plan of sorts that is working to strengthen the weak muscles/tendons in my hip and IT band.  I'm doing lots and lots of stretching, new strengthening exercises (leg lifts, pelvic tilts, lunges) and icing my hip area after activity. 

Since my injury, I've run 3 miles, 5, and then 4 today.  Each run I've felt better and stronger, but with a little soreness, which is to be expected.  I've definitely fallen way back on my training and I'm taking it very slow easing back into it all.  My chiropractor said that you lose 30% of your conditioning in 2 weeks...scary.  I'm hoping this was just a slight bump in the road and that I continue to improve.  I still have two 12 milers, 14 miles, 18 miles, and a 20 MILER.  I'm taking it one run at a time and trying not to think too far ahead.  If everything doesn't go as planned, I've already decided to just downgrade to the half.  We'll see.

Here's a picture Kyle took of me before heading out for a run.  I never leave without my ipod, my Nike + sensor, my phone, a headband, TWO sports bras, and tight fitting clothing.  I don't like the loose shorts or cotton-t's...too much material for me. 

And after my long runs I HAVE to make a smoothie.  Below you can see some of my staple ingredients: frozen fruit, protein powder, Greek yogurt, soy or almond milk, wheat germ, flax seed, peanut butter, and oatmeal.  Everything filled with the fuel my body needs.  This blog has some amazing, hearty, and delicious smoothie recipes perfect for recovering after a long morning run.

So remember to sponsor Kyle and myself by donating to The Freeman Project.

It would be greatly appreciated by not only us, but by all those beauitful children in Afghanistan and Iraq, and other war-torn countries. 

Thanks again!!!!

TEAM FREEMAN

Remember I'm training for the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon? I initially signed up for the 1/2 with the intent to upgrade to the full if my first few weeks of training went well.  My first few weeks of training went really well (still is!) and I quickly made the decision to upgrade.  And then Kyle saw how much I was enjoying it and decided to take the plunge himself and run the 1/2.  So we're both training now! Crazy, I know.

Around that time, I was up visiting my parents at their house one day when I ran into their neighbor, Lisa Freeman.  I mentioned the fact that I was training for the marathon and she eagerly encouraged me to join TEAM FREEMAN.  Lisa's son, Marine Captain Matthew Freeman, was KIA in Afghanistan on August 7th, 2009.   Just a few days before he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, he told his mother that the kids in Afghanistan wanted pens and paper more than food and water.  Since his death, that statement has started a movement called The Mathew Freeman Project: Pens & Paper for Peace.   I could tell you the whole story, but the video I've posted below explains it all so perfectly.    

TEAM FREEMAN is an official charity partner for the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.  After doing some research, Kyle and I knew we definitely wanted to join the team.  Because we know members of the Freeman Family personally and because we truly believe in and support the project, we decided to commit ourselves to raising a minimum of $200 each in donations.  

That's where all of YOU come in. 

Please, please, please help us raise money for this incredible cause! 

$1, $5, $10, anything helps.  

All you have to do is follow this link--- http://www.freemanproject.org/rock-n-roll-savannah-marathon-and-half-marathon, scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section called "Sponsor a Team Freeman Runner," and then fill out all the necessary info.  You can make a donation in my name, in Kyle's, or in each of our names.  After you provide your name, address, email, donation amount, and the runner's name you will be directed to The Freeman Project's paypal checkout page where you can pay using credit/debit cards.  

NOTE: It is very important that you go through this page and not directly to the “Make a Donation” tab on the website.  If you do not complete this page, they will have no record that your donation is linked to one of us.

You can also make a donation by mailing a check to the following address. 

The Freeman Project

P.O. Box 1608

Richmond Hill, GA 31324

NOTE: Please ensure that you write one of our names on the check in the memo field so that they can link each donation to Kyle or myself.

All donations are tax deductible and upon receipt of each donation, The Matthew Freeman Project will send a Thank You letter and the appropriate tax documentation to each sponsor.  

I didn't know Matthew personally, but he is a hero to me, his family, my community, this country, and now to many children in Afghanistan. Just take a look at this inspiring video of a solider delivery supplies to local children sent by The Matthew Freeman Project. 

Please donate today and help keep Matt's vision going by spreading peace, pens, and paper to all those beautiful children. Thank you so much!

A banner that was hung in my parent's neighborhood shortly after Matthew's death.