SUCCESS!!!!
Well, folks, I completed my first marathon more than five minutes faster than my goal - 4:54:25. And, I can mostly still walk :) It was so wonderful to have so many people there at the end to congratulate me: in no particular order, Dad, Mary Ellen, Eric, Jay, Erin and Amanda!!!
Honestly, once I realized through careful calculations that I was actually going to come in under five hours, I started choking up a bit. After four months of training, eight months of anticipation, several minor training setbacks, a lot of self-doubt, $1,330 of other people's donations, many VERY early Saturday morning runs, and forcing Jay to do a number of my long runs with me, it was incredible to see that it all paid off completely.
And so, my one and potentially only marathon is over, and I am 100% satisfied.
A few light-hearted highlights: my favorite marathon runner costumes were the bishop & priest duo, the Thing 1 & Thing 2 duo, the Superhero group (the hulk, superman, spiderman, wonderwoman, catwoman, etc), the McDonalds fries, and the Grim Reaper & Loch Ness Monster (both seen by proxy - thanks, Jay). My favorite course entertainment was all in Boystown, where there were male cheerleaders, a risque dance troupe, and Elvis. My favorite signs were Susan Boyle giving thumbs up that said "Susan Boyle says You've Got Talent!" and "Walk like an Egyptian; Run like a Kenyan." My favorite snack offerings (though I did not actually take these): donut holes and cans of beer. My favorite post-marathon sight: a marriage proposal between two marathoners!!!!! Awww.
And so, dear friends, I so greatly appreciate all your best wishes and confidence in me. It's been a very rewarding experience, though I have no problem saying that I am SO glad it is over!!!
Honestly, once I realized through careful calculations that I was actually going to come in under five hours, I started choking up a bit. After four months of training, eight months of anticipation, several minor training setbacks, a lot of self-doubt, $1,330 of other people's donations, many VERY early Saturday morning runs, and forcing Jay to do a number of my long runs with me, it was incredible to see that it all paid off completely.
And so, my one and potentially only marathon is over, and I am 100% satisfied.
A few light-hearted highlights: my favorite marathon runner costumes were the bishop & priest duo, the Thing 1 & Thing 2 duo, the Superhero group (the hulk, superman, spiderman, wonderwoman, catwoman, etc), the McDonalds fries, and the Grim Reaper & Loch Ness Monster (both seen by proxy - thanks, Jay). My favorite course entertainment was all in Boystown, where there were male cheerleaders, a risque dance troupe, and Elvis. My favorite signs were Susan Boyle giving thumbs up that said "Susan Boyle says You've Got Talent!" and "Walk like an Egyptian; Run like a Kenyan." My favorite snack offerings (though I did not actually take these): donut holes and cans of beer. My favorite post-marathon sight: a marriage proposal between two marathoners!!!!! Awww.
And so, dear friends, I so greatly appreciate all your best wishes and confidence in me. It's been a very rewarding experience, though I have no problem saying that I am SO glad it is over!!!