MARATHON RACE REPORT

Well, I DID IT! I finished my first marathon. I can't believe that, at age 55, I completed a marathon for the first time. It was not the best time, nor was it what I had anticipated, but I crossed the finish line and I wasn't the last one. :) There were 80 people behind me. Now, I know that's not a lot, considering there were around 800 running, BUT I FINISHED!!!

I started out very strong and didn't push myself at all, using the Galloway run/walk/run program. For the first mile, I ran 2 minutes and walked 1 minute, since a lot of it was downhill. After that I switched to run 1 minute, walk 1 minute like I had planned. I did very well until mile 10, when my ankle begin hurting EXTREMELY badly. So badly that I realized that I could not run anymore, but would have to walk. Talk about disappointing! I still had 16.2 miles to go! I had hoped to finish in 5:30, but forget that!

I began speedwalking and re-set my goal time to around 6 hrs. The pain kept getting worse and worse. I kept stopping to adjust the compression bandage I was wearing, but realized at about mile 23 that I had better not stop anymore or I wouldn't be able to start again. I was darned if I was going to not finish this race! I would crawl if I had to. :)

My daughter met me at about the 25.9 mile mark (she was worried I was dead on the side of the road.) and walked with me until mile 26.1, then sprinted ahead to get my finish pics. Two friends of mine, Matt & Sharon, continued on with me to almost the finish line. I wanted to run the last bit, but one try was enough to stop that idea. I finished in 6:02:37, which was right on what I had hoped for since I was walking. I almost broke into tears when I reached the finish line. I just couldn't believe that I made it.

My average pace for the first 10 miles was right at 12:00, perfect for a finish like I had planned; but the last 16.2 miles had an average pace of around 14:30, which gave me an average pace of around 13:40; pretty good for walking so much. It WAS a PR since it was my first!!!!

I was excited to meet @solorunner & @meechelle, my twitter friends, along with some of their friends. They ran great!

My mantra when I'm running long runs is always from scripture: "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"~~Philippians 4:13. Today, I really needed that scripture AND His strength. I said that over and over again, along with a few "Please help me, God" phrases (ok, maybe a LOT of them. :) God is so faithful and I believe He helped me to persevere through to the end.

Philippians 3:14 - "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - I pray that I will persevere in my walk with Christ also and strive toward the goal He has for me.

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who encouraged me and supported me through the training for this marathon. I SO appreciated your belief in me that I could do this.

Now, on to the next one - October 11, 2009 - The Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon in Susanville, California. Let the training begin! (After I heal, of course)

Have an awesome day and God bless you all.

Gina

Be Flexible

Ok, I need to be more flexible in my workouts! I seem to think that if I don't follow the schedule EXACTLY as it is written then the world will come to an end and my marathon training will be all messed up.

I had a 23 - 26 mile run planned for today, 4 weeks from my marathon; then taper for the last 4 weeks; this is what the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run plan calls for. However, I have been having pain in my buttocks & down my right leg and have been struggling with my running. Thanks to @TrainEveryDay, I found a link explaining what the problem is - Piriformis Syndrome - http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/piriformis-syndrome.php . So it's not another stress fracture, thank God.

I was hoping I could just run through the pain today, but realized after just a few miles that it was stupid to try to do that and jeopardize my marathon; so I turned around and came home, feeling defeated. I had started at marathon pace so my 3.88 miles was only at 11:36, which is very slow for that distance, but very good if I was running the entire 26 miles. So that part was good. :)

I decided to quit beating myself up and realized that I have already run 2 - 18+ milers, 1 - 20 miler, 1 - 21 miler, 1 - 22 miler, and 1 - 24 miler. I guess I CAN run a marathon. :) I will see how my leg feels next week and try for a 20 mile run on Monday, but I know it isn't completely necessary. It's more necessary that I let my leg get completely better for the marathon. I need to be more flexible.

I guess I need to be more flexible in other aspects of my life also. That's something I have been working on for the past few years and I know I'm getting better, but I can always improve. I'm not saying that I should compromise my values or Christian beliefs, but I need to realize that I am not always right (duh!) and be open to what others AND especially God have to say. I have to understand that if something doesn't go my way, it's not the end of the world and will probably be better. It's not "my way or no way". :) God's way is ALWAYS better. I just need to let Him rule in my life. He is forever looking out for me and will lead me in the right direction; all I have to do is follow Him.

Psalm 31:3
For you are my rock and my fortress;and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

God bless you and be with you today.

Gina