Monday, April 27, 2009

i did it...

I have an 'm' day post coming, but thought I would throw it out there quickly that I finished the marathon. And no, I can't say I 'ran' a marathon, because I didn't. However, considering all the obstacles including three weeks of injury, two hours of sleep the night before the race, 90% humidity, wall-like wind and heat race morning that I wasn't used to training in... I will take my injury and pain free, run/walk first marathon time of 5:03:17.

All in all, it wasn't what I expected or the time I wanted (in fact i've been hesitant to post because i've been ashamed of how long it took me, honestly, but i'm over that today), but it was still one of the most memorable and amazing experiences of my life. More to come! Tons of pictures and lots of stories. I'll spread it out over the entire week so I don't bog you down with enormously long posts, I'll spare you!

And not that I was keeping track, but I DID beat Katie Holmes... insert smile here.

Shout out's and congrats in the blahgesphere to Oz Runner and Adam for running their first half-marathon, and to Kristen the Running Lawyer who finished her first marathon as well.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

First off, congratulations! There is nothing to be ashamed about. Finishing a marathon in any amount of time is a great achievement, especially with the issues you have had to endure during your training. You have now done something that only 1/10th of 1% of the population will ever do...

...and you took it to Katie Holmes, it doesn't get better than that! :-)

Marlene said...

You're a marathoner! Who cares how you got there? Congratulations! You should be very proud, expecially considering all of the circumstances working against you. Can't wait to hear about it!

Ace said...

Congrats! That is awesome. I think the time is great, all injury things considered! Well done. Take that Katie!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

CONGRATS!!! Awesome job on finishing your first marathon! Huge achievement, I think you should be proud.... I know all the bloggers were rooting for you and are proud of you :) Can't wait to read all about it! Enjoy your victory!!

Oz Runner said...

woo-hoo! congrats! i can't imagine running a full in that heat/humidity...the half just about killed me...great job indeed! looking forward to seeing the rest of your OKC posts....

IzzyBubbles said...

Iiieaaaiieaaieiaiaaieiaiaie!!! That's about all I have to say today.

Amy said...

Congrats on your marathon! I found your blog through Ohsheglows, and read one of your comments and just had to check out your blog. I just want to say that I truly respect anyone who does a marathon. I could not do it, at least right now. All that training and preparing...seriously, I am always impressed. Not everyone can run a marathon, but you did! :)

Anyways, hope you have a good day and a recovery one, at that!

Oh She Glows said...

Oh my gosh congrats!!! Ashamed?? Please don't be...you have every right to be super proud of yourself! Seriously, we need to stop being so hard on ourselves. The fact that you did it at all is so inspiring to me. Rock on!

Irish Cream said...

I too felt ashamed after my first marathon--I suffered a bad case of heat exhaustion, walked a TON and finished an hour behind my goal time. But TRUST ME on this. I have since learned that it's far more admirable to struggle and finish on a bad day with tons of crap working against you than to breeze through the race on one of those "on" days and easily achieve your goal. You, my friend, have guts galore. And? You are a marathoner. Doesn't matter if you ran, walked, skipped or crawled your way to the finish. You are a marathoner. You have a LOT to be proud of. And look at it this way--you are pretty much guaranteed a PR next time ;) GREAT JOB! Can't wait to read the full report!

Anonymous said...

Nothing to be ashamed up...you did what many many people never will!!! You ARE a marathoner!!!!


ps- take that Katie Holmes!!!

J said...

Congrats! can't wait to hear about it and see the pictures! Be proud! You have done something that many people haven't (including me!!) Great job!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

YIPPEE!! I am looking forward to a week of stories and photos. Congrats you finished!!!

Hope you are not too broken...

RunningLaur said...

Congraulations!! You're a marathoner!!! Take that Katie Holmes. You have a whole heck of a lot to be proud of, and don't feel down at all about your great accomplishment. Your final time - with all of the injuries and hardship - is my goal time under the best conditions.
Congrats!!

Unknown said...

finishing is HUGE. congratulations!

californiameaghan said...

katie homes isnt as pretty as you either.

YAY BEKA!

aNd! said...

Congrats! You did it! That is all that counts. You should be nothing but proud of yourself! I will complain and complain about the heat, but at least it is a "dry heat"! Wind and humidity are not my friends!

teacherwoman said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I think your finish time is awesome! Don't be so hard on yourself! You have had to overcome a lot in the past couple weeks.

RunToTheFinish said...

you did it and that my friend is AMAZING!!!! Just think now you have a jumping off point to beat and well hello you did it pain free post injury!!

X-Country2 said...

You DID IT!!! Just finishing the first one is a huge accomplishment. :o)

Ashley said...

YAAYYYY!!!!!!!! I almost emailed you yesterday, but figured you were recovering. I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for the details! I think you're AWESOME and your time is bad ass!!! Remember how long my first half took?? LOL! If not, go read that blog and hopefully it will make you feel better about your 5 hour marathon! :) CONGRATS and I can't wait to hear more about it!

IzzyBubbles said...

This is from the Running Lawyer's Dad:

"Just a note from a proud mom and dad who were honored by being allowed to be a part of Bubbles' "race team".
Your persistence and desire have allowed you to perform a task that only a small percentage of the world will ever attempt, and even fewer will be successful. I challenge any naysayers who question the difficulty of a marathon to try to run just the last 8 miles of this race facing a 40+ mph headwind and then try to find the breath to speak negatively about those who do what you just did.
To Bubbles and FairWeatherRunner, it was such a pleasure to watch you cross that finish line although it (and typing this note) was done with a few tears in the eyes which were not caused by the wind. Your tangible reward is a medal which may tarnish and become less valuable with time, but you have also received the intangible reward of knowing that your future successes, both in running and life, are only limited by your desire. I am sure that finishing the marathon was important to you, but what was most important was that you accepted the challenge and risk of failure that a marathon involves. You have proved to the world (and have the medal to back up your claim) that you have the skills, spirit and desire that make you some pretty fantastic people.
Congratulations!! You go girls!!! Love, Mom and Dad"