Cowtown Marathon Recap

It's done folks. 2 marathons in 7 days. I am beyond words on this one. I truly did not go into any of this knowing what to expect. Running back to back marathons was never really something I thought I could or would do. I was so lucky to have so much love and support on this journey. Below was Team 'Go Erin' after my finish. Kristi, Dan (her BF), PC and Boston Larry ran a relay marathon just to be there for me! There really are no words for me as I look at the pictures. It is a feeling I wish I could bask in forever....it hurts, but there is such a sense of accomplishment and support.

♥

My pre-race plan was simple: recover from Tahoe enough to get through this race. I was nervous to say the least. Thanks to the Tahoe hills my legs were pretty sore. I only ran 7 miles (one 4 and one 3 mile run) during the week. I went for a massage on Thursday night and was happy to wake up Friday feeling pretty good....maybe I COULD do this.

My pre-race meal was the same as usual....whole wheat spaghetti with ground turkey and some yummy red sauce. Skipped the garlic bread this week though. Really soaked up as much hydration with Ultima and PowerAde during the week.

Slept awful the night before. I think the heat got to me. I really don't know. I was, for some reason....WAY more nervous. Met Larry, Kristi and Dan for some Starbucks on our way to the starting line. We cranked the heater and wrapped in blankets to stay warm from the cool fall morning. Near start time, Dan and Kristi went out to the relay exchange and PC, Larry and I hung around the start line. I was approached by a runner who recognized my bow tattoos and asked if I had run Tahoe last week. Funny! We also ran in to our tattoo artist who was running the 1/2 marathon. Oddly enough we also ran into Marathon Margaret....whom I have only seen in the dark running through Lincoln. Small world! We snapped some photos and as the gun sounded....PC and I headed out to start my journey. PC was to run just past mile 6 where he would hand off to Kristi.....who would hand off to Larry...and Dan would bring it to the finish line. I knew it was going to be rough out of the gait. PC sped off ahead of me and I worked hard to keep a good pace and talk nice to my legs.

The minute I started I knew I needed to keep it slow, I saw the pacers and ended up staying ahead of the 3:30 pacer the entire run....until the dreaded mile 20. It hit harder than normal for me. I felt from the get go my legs were clearly not fresh. I got down my first gel at mile 10 without trouble, went for my Jelly Beans around mile 14 and started taking water at mile 15 (a little later than I hoped....but this was mostly due to the amount of people on the course until after the 1/2 marathon ended). I could not force my second gel down...yet again. I took maybe half. I really need to work on this for future races. I needed that fuel for my legs, which around mile 23 were wanting to quit. PC kept pushing me, and I did all I could to finish one mile at a time. During a small uphill near mile 24 we saw Larry (who opted to run an extra 6 to get some weekly mileage).....who frantically started ringing his cowbell in hopes to help me on. It was a sight....what with me mentally and physically crashing, PC running and texting and Larry cowbell-ing.

Finally the finish was in sight, but this time I started freaking bawling. I heard and saw Kristi, had PC at my side and just lost it. The whole second loop I had spoken out loud to Bubba, Linds, Mom and Dad and I suppose I just had a moment where all the realities of the last several months came together. I had my LIVESTRONG bracelet to remind me of Bubba, my ColdStone JB's from Bubba and Linds, the sound of Dad saying "You Can Do This" and of course the comforting words of Momma Bear in my mind. I knew they were all together and could envision them in my mind's eye. I missed them.

Despite falling behind the 3:30 pacer.....I PR'd the dang thing. I finished in 3:34, a full 6 minutes faster than Napa! I can only imagine what I could have done on fresh legs! We spent some time at the finish with my BIL, SIL and niece and 2 nephews to chat and snap some more photos. I ♥ the feeling of the end and now feel a little lost. I have managed 2 runs so far, 3 miles and 5 miles this morning. My body is not ready....but my mind needed it.

I promptly contacted the Marathon Maniacs this week and am now officially a member of the InSane AsyLum! I am Marathon Maniac #1816 and will surely share pics of my blazing yellow singlet when it arrives. I cannot wait to wear it at a race :) Maybe I should bling it, HA!

The question now is....what race is next?!?!?