Marathon update
 

Hey my LAWL chickies!

So-here's the scoop before I take a muscle relaxer and pass out . . . . .

1. It didn't rain. Upper 60's and mostly sunny. Couldn't ask for anything better really.

2. I finished in 8 hours-like exactly 8 hours. :carrot: Here's the thing-the main course is only open for 8 hours-as I was coming down the "chute" I saw Ellie (my coach) and she started motion to her right and telling me to "RUN". I didn't know what was going on-she knew I wanted to finish within 8 hours-so I figured I must be really close. So-I ran. Seriously-I ran. And I don't run. :running:
It was really strange-someone was carrying the timeclock. No one annouced my name. My family was behind me somewhere. I ran to the first chip mat I saw and stopped running-but then saw another one under the balloon arch and realized that was the finish-so I started running again. It was weird-no one met me with a sliver blanket thing. They did cut off my chip (my official timing chip) and give me my medal-but no one was checking on me-I was breathing REALLY hard and wheezing from the running.
Anyway-turns out that I was the last person to finish the regular course. Ellie was telling me to run because they were closing the gate and she thought that I would want to finish at the real ending. Which I did. But no one in my family saw me finish-my dad didn't get a shot of me crossing the finish line-because he was looking for me to finish at the alternate ending. So it was a little anticlimatic. But still good.

3. I finished 2 hours faster than in 2004. :cp: Amazing what a 90 lb loss will do. :cool:

4. I felt pretty great and managed to stay another 21/2 hours until all of my group came in. It was wonderful. I was blubbering all over them. :cry: They were so happy to finish-just like I was last time. :cb:

5. Pierre, Beulah, and a new friend Timmy made appearances during the marathon. Pierre put on quite a show-bursting around mile 23 and causing me to bleed through my sock and onto my shoe. My mom's all like-Is that blood? In case you still haven't figured it out-they're blisters. I get quite friendly with them-seeing as I spend a lot of time with them.

6. I got up at 4AM to drink a bunch of water and get in my necessary amount of coffee. I peed 4 times before we even started.

7. I peed in the bushes-with several other ladies on a hillside with a group of homeless guys at the bottom getting quite a show. :o But there were like 50 people in line at the porta-pottie and I REALLY had to go. I fell (bare-assed)into sticker bushes and another lady actually had to help me up because my knee was twisted underneath me. Nice-"Yes doctor-I injured myself peeing in the bushes and wasn't able to complete the marathon." I always said I would never do this-but as Ellie says "You'll neeever see these people again!" I feel like such a rebel.

8. I basically stayed at my target heart rate for 8 hours-wonder how many calories I burned? I could probably figure it out-but I just don't care right now. I was breathing hard the entire time-but could talk if I needed to.

9. I feel pretty amazing right now-but also absolutely exhausted. I think it's time for bed. Too bad I have to walk downstairs to close everything up.

Juliemarie? 8 hours marathon?!! :running: OMG!! You are awesome!! What a determination! What a will power! You are a role model to all of us. Way to go girl!! I am in awe :dizzy: :cheer:

JM- You are amazing! Hope your hiney heals form sticker wounds!!! Congratulations girl, 2 hours faster!!!!! Incredible!!! I wish we did have a picture of you at the finish line, but I know you lokked awesome!!

Big HUg,

Juliemarie- So awesome!! I'm glad that the weather was nice for you guys. Too cool about finishing 2 hrs. ahead of last year and getting in under the regular time. Ok, apology first, sorry but I was laughing my a$$ off when I read you fell in the sticker bushes. I hope you bum is ok.
You go you rebel you!!!!

You are un-------believable!!!!! You must be soooooo proud and sooooo tired! You really are an inspiration - really. And I have the nerve to feel sorry for myself walking twenty minutes on a treadmill. Pul - leaze. When I go to the gym tomorrow I am going to picture you crossing the real finish line.

You are one determined Chickie!

Debbie

JM--CONGRATS!!!!! How thrilling. Bummer about the finish line confusion but you finished in great time and that's huge. Was this the big reunion weekend?? Haven't heard anything in a while so didn't know if it was still on.

JulieMarie - What a great experience! I can only imagine (believe me!) but I'm so in awe of your accomplishment!
What a "bummer" about your "bum" - hopefully the Phd will never know - it'll be our little secret! (Did you get that? I called you bum little!) :lol3:

That is amazing! I am so in awe of those of you who complete marathons!

Juliemarie - CONGRATULATIONS!! I loved your detailed analysis of the day and what a great personal accomplishment. So, are you a marathon addict now or are you taking a break??

Wow girlie! How cool. I am so amazed by you and your determination. Great job!

Good morning ladies!

Well-day after and I feel pretty good-except when I try to move:D

Seriously-my feet (with the exception of the remnants of Pierre) feel pretty good. I'm supposed to go out for a short walk today-in whatever shoes I can get on. By short-I mean short-no more than half a mile. I probably won't make that-I'll just walk around the block a couple times and hit a mailbox. Supposedly (as Ellie says) it will make me feel better.

I slept terribly last nite-My legs ached so much-I just tossed and turned. Tonite should be better.

I took today and tomorrow off -to recover and watch the 2nd season of Grey's Anatomy;)

JM you are so friggin' awesome! What an accomplishment. I loved the commentary (especially the potty part - LOL). Sorry about Pierre. Hope your other friends leave you soon.

I am just in awe of you. 90lbs and two marathons?!?! YOU ROCK!

Congrats JM that is an amazing accomplishment.

Amazing!!! You go girl! 8 hours....and you beat your old time by 2 hours. You're my hero!

JM- You so totally rock! Good for you for sticking to it, finishing strong, and sticking around for your friends! I won't make any bottom jokes - but I was laughing at the image... telling the doc why you couln't finish the race:rofl: