WOW what an experience here is the best and worst of my first marathon experience.

I have to preface this by saying that runners have to be the best people in the world (especially us back of the packers)!!!

Friday afternoon Ron, friend from college (Sara) and I headed up to Duluth and went straight to the expo hoping to beat the crowds.  Got my packet and then we started to wander the expo.  There were so many people that I really didn’t stick around for very long but I was able to pick up a couple good deals on some stuff.  Ate supper at Olive Garden since Sara and DH weren’t too impressed with just a spaghetti option at expo.  Stayed up and chatted until 10pm just because I was trying to calm myself down to get a good nights sleep.

Sat. morning I was up and getting ready to go at 4:45am and at 5:15am I was eating my breakfast and walking down to the bus pick-up point (just right there on the campus).  Waiting for the buses there was excitement in the air as everyone discussed training and how things had gone up to this point.  Then the announcement was made that the buses were ready to be loaded.  The trip to the start took about a half hour and now I remember why a person doesn’t sit in the back of a school bus.  Got to the start and the drop off point and boy what a sight!!!  I had never seen so many runners all in one place before and there were what seemed like hundred of buses continuing to drop people off.  Wandered around for a little while and was able to get some pictures of the start and the sights.  Then got in line to use the biffy.  Chatted with a couple people and as we were waiting the F-15s flew over and started playing the national anthem (what a sight).  I was a little nervous since I was still waiting in line but some women behind me said it was ok and that we still had plenty of time to get to the chute.  Finally was able to drop my sweat bag and head into the chute.  Found my pace group leader (Marie) and got to chat with lots of people.  Then the announcer started talking about how this was going to be the greatest year for Grandma’s and this was the best group set to run the race.  I got a little emotional at this point and started thinking about everything that I had done to get to that point.  A runner next to me reached over and gave me a hug and wished me luck.  Then the whistle to the train was blowing and I assumed that was the sign that we were about ready to go.  A little while later we were slowly moving to the start line.  Took about 7min. to get to the start line and we were off.

The details of the race are actually really fuzzy in some points but here are the highlights.  At mile 1 I was amazed at how many of the men stopped right along side the road to use the rest room.  Kind of had to laugh at the sight of that as they were all lined up.  The pace group was awesome and there were a lot of 1^st timers in the group.  It was great to meet and hear everyone’s story on how they got there and what motivated them to run a marathon.  Marie was great as a pacer and boy would I love to have the energy like she had.  She was able to lead us on cheers, quick sprint up to a band and do a little dance.  Oh it was great fun!!!  Then at mile 9 I was starting to have some stomach issues and had to make a long stop at the rest room and lost the pace group.  When I was back on the road again it took a while to get back into the swing of things.  I was in another group of runners for a while and they were great!!  Then after mile 14 or 15 things started to come apart in a really bad way.  I think the heat and humidity finally was catching up to me. 

It was about this time that I noticed for the first time that the black flag was out (BLACK FLAG (Extremely High Risk): All runners should slow their pace, drink extra fluids and those with previous heat stress problems or heat stress problems or heat disease should consider not running.)

So it was down to a run/walk.  People had sprinklers along the side of the road and I think I ran through every one of them.  Miles 20-26 were horrible in the sense of running but such an awesome experience.  I would run/walk with someone for a while and they would encourage me to keep going (and I hope that I was able to give them a little encouragement) and then I would either pass them or they would pass me.  One guy and I pushed each other to make it up “Lemon Drop Hill” (mile 22) and it was great to make it to the top.  Then at mile 25 a race official was standing in the middle of the road say that be prepared to get off the course there was severe weather coming in.  I looked at the woman I was with at the time and she looked at me and we said that there was no way at mile 25 we were stepping off the course, we would take our chances of being struck by lightning.  Then I rounded the corner and one of my friends yelled my name and I knew I was going to make it!!!  I started running again and just as I did the rain started to come down.  My DH was standing close to the finish trying to protect the camera and get pictures.  I pushed it and crossed the finish line just as it was starting to really pour.  Then by the time I got my T-shirt and medal the rain had stopped.  I guess just God’s way to congratulate me.

Final Stats

Gun time-6:34:54

Chip time-6:28:10

Total finishers-6909

Total women to finish-2606

Not the best time in the world and I missed my time goal by an hour but I made my #1 goal and that was that I finished!!!!  Considering the conditions I believe I rocked!!!

I might actually have to do another one someday!!!