I am a Marathon Runner.

I've joined the club.  Yesterday I finished my first marathon.  It was wonderful.  I can't remember the last time I felt that happy.  Well, actually my wedding day felt as wonderful.  And the birth of my kids was an awesome moment too.  It was pure joy running yesterday.  The weather was wonderful.  It was cool, with a slight breeze just when you needed one, the music on the course was awesome, the cheer squads were encouraging and the hills weren't as bad as the ones I had seen and imagined we'd be climbing. 

Highlights included a cheer squad of "ducklings" tucked away on the back side of the MetroCenter with signs that said, "Quack if you are having a good time."  Running alongside the river behind the MetroCenter was absolutely beautiful.  Visiting Starbucks at the top of the hill between mile 17 and 18 was a highlight for sure.  I bought an a Tall "Watered Down" Iced Coffee, that was half coffee and half water.  Washed my face and used the bathroom and then hopped back out onto the course to finish.

More highlights:

1. Slower pace (and not worrying about my time) = More fun
2. Cellphone support was crucial.  I carried a cellphone with me so that I could stay in touch with the folks I was going to see at the various mile markers.  Their support kept me going and distracted so that I could keep plugging away.
3. Listening to the bands and hearing the wonderful musicians.
4. All the volunteers and support people along the way.
5. I think I saw John Bingham ("The Penguin") a standing a few feet before the finish line...I wish I would've asked if that was him.  He's one of the reasons that I enjoy running as much as I do.  His book "The Courage to Start" was one that I read when I began running about 2 years ago.  It's a wonderful and encouraging book for anyone thinking about taking up running.

Here is what I ate and drank:

• One orange flavored gatorade at 5:30am
• 1 Espresso Love Gu @ 7:05am
• 1 Sport Bean Lemon-Lime flavor @ 7:20 right before I stepped over the start line.
• 5 additional Espresso Love GU's
• 3 additional lemon-lime Sport Beans
• 2 Power Gel Carbo Stuff Level 2 (not sure the official name) that was handed out on the course.
• 3 salt packets around mile 19
• Accelerade and Water @ the various water stations located on the course
• Recovery Drink (that I carried with me) that I drank immediately after crossing the finish line.
• Oh, and the small iced coffee that I drank between mile 17 and 18.  I think that may become a tradition for me.

People I talked with on the phone:

• Gary and Amy (left a message)
• Christa
• Toby
• Doug
• John and Heather
• Carole and my kids

People I saw along the course:

• Carole and my kids, at Tiffany's house (thanks Tiffany!) and then again, right before the finish.
• Tiffany
• Doug (once over near Leland street and again at the finish...he took some pics of me)
• John, Heather and Judy over by the First Nazerene Church (mile 20 support was essential!)
• Christa and her kids around mile 11
• Toby.  Toby was awesome because after running the half-marathon, he came back and met me at mile 22-23 and ran the rest of the race with me.  We had a good conversation and I was encouraged by him as we came the final miles together.

I had also asked a few friends to pray for me, or to keep me in their thoughts and I want to believe that their thoughts and prayers kept me going just as much as my family and friends on the course did.

Ultimately, my time was a lot slower than I imagined it was going to be, but I was able to finish strong, and I felt like I ran the second half of the race faster than I did the first half - which was a goal of mine.  I kept my heart rate where I wanted it to be (thanks to my Suunto Watch) and didn't get sick.  My body feels tired and a little sore/ tight, but I feel like my body worked like it was supposed to.  All in all, a great first marathon.   

So that's it, the end of my Marathon wrap up.  Next up, I hope to cross train in the next few weeks until I'm ready to attempt the KC marathon in the Fall.  I've heard the Red Guitar will be playing at that race, and it'd be fun to see them in person.  (plus, I'll get a chance to see my sister and a few other friends in KC as well...).

Today, we drive back to NC and dive back into work and LIFE tomorrow morning!