Weekly MM: Richmond Marathon Recap

Pre-Race
I woke up to the sound of my alarm at 5:30AM and quickly got to work on the checklist I'd composed on Thursday: make and have coffee, eat granola bars, and drink one water bottle by 6:00AM, Garmin on, get dressed while making sure to BodyGlide everywhere noted on said list, deodorant, double-knot and tuck-in shoe laces, pop Ibuprofen...then there was a knock on the door.

Two of my sisters had driven down from Northern Virginia to cheer for me throughout the race, but I wasn't expecting to see them beforehand! It was such a sweet surprise. After some quick hellos, I was out the door with my pre, during, and post-race necessities by 6:20AM. I was thankfully able to park downtown in my office building's parking deck, which is literally one block from the finish and 6 from the start. I got there around 6:35AM, giving me the perfect amount of time to go inside, use the bathroom, and do some walking / stretching before meeting my group at 7:30AM near the start.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't seem as optimistic as I was feeling. It was pouring as I ran into the building, and had lightened to a mist when I stepped back out to make the 6-block walk. I found my group easily, went to the bathroom once more, then sipped on some water as more people arrived. (At this point I also started to get hungry. Weird?)

At 7:55AM, we shifted into the corral and before I knew it, we were off and past the starting line! It was a lot less of a production than larger races I've done, where there's wait time between waves and stumbling into people to get moving. The final bout of rain came down on us within the first mile, then the weather held out wonderfully! Except for a peek of the sun between mile 19 and 20, it was overcast and occasionally misty but not enough to cause wardrobe/shoe issues.

Miles 1-8
A group of us stayed together at a perfect pace between 9:30-10:00 min/mile. I ran into the husband of one of my sorority sisters really early on and he ended up joining our "pace group" as well. The whole thing felt very casual and calm. And, maybe it was just me, but it totally seemed like a moving party. I was in love with the experience already, and tried to contain some of my joy for later on down the road when I knew I'd really need it. (Oh, and I saw my sisters for the first time just before mile 3!) Water stops were every 2 miles at this point; and starting at mile 2, we stopped to walk and drink at each of them. I started eating energy jelly beans at mile 6. Then at mile 8, right after crossing the river, totally unplanned, I left behind my group.

Miles 8-13.1

My sorority sister's husband remained with me during this leg of the race. We alternated leading and joked about who was going to draft off of who when we got to the bridge back into the city. I could feel myself slowly starting to increase speed, but kept a cap on it by occasionally glancing at my Garmin. I reached the halfway point at 2:07:05. I felt great and knew I had done a good job at pacing the first 13.1 miles. It was at this point I looked around and noticed a couple things: the number of people who were already walking (which made me nervous) and all the treats being offered! I passed a candy stand, 2 doughnut stands, and someone passing out orange slices. I knew it was way too early in the race for me to mess with something new in my system, so I passed each with a whimper. Also, I saw Santa! Of course, I thanked him for coming.

Miles 13.1-18
Sometime early in this stretch, I lost my adopted running partner. I crossed the bridge back into the city, and decided to pour two little salt packets I'd packed into my water cup (thinking it would help my impending "wall"). It all sank to the bottom, which made for a terrible last sip but no real damage was done and I was convinced I'd helped myself! I passed bars with patios filled with cheering brunchers armed with mimosa pitchers and Bloody Marys. And then I sadly started to pass a few members of my training team. Also, I distinctly remember the smell of bacon. More whimpers.

Miles 18-22
Around mile 18, I saw my sisters again, armed with the most wonderful signs just for ME! Their energy helped me climb up one of the last inclines of the route. Before I knew it, I was upon the Seal Team PT sponsored water stop at mile 20. Talk about feeling like a celebrity! Again, I gained a burst of energy but this time I was running off into the unknown mileage zone. I passed another two training teammates---again, mixed feelings. Boyfriend was supposed to meet me around mile 21 to help push me into the finish line. But mile 21 came and went, with no Boyfriend in sight. Luckily I still had energy and comparatively mild leg fatigue, so I wasn't discouraged...just angry ;) I finally spotted him in his VMI t-shirt and neon green shoes around mile 22. 

Miles 22-26
At this point my hamstrings and calves started to complain a bit, but nothing debilitating. Overall, I was as happy as a lark and gaining speed (slightly) as we entered back into downtown from the Northside neighborhood. Boyfriend and I talked about what we had seen and done so far that day, and he encouraged me to keep "climbing the ladder": picking and passing people ahead of me, one at a time. I turned the corner with 2 miles left, and there were my sisters again! Surprise! Pure joy! I turned another corner and my excitement grew exponentially. I was really doing it! I was so close to the finish! And I felt so good!

Miles 26-26.2

Boyfriend peeled off to avoid the funnel towards the finish line, almost immediately: SIDE CRAMP. I thought about crying. I thought about walking. But with being so close, how could I? I frantically ran through all of my side cramp tricks in hopes that one would work: long-deep breaths, flexing my stomach muscles, and pinching my side to massage it out. All the while, my face was distorted in pain and panic. The wave of initial pain dulled, as I barreled down the last few feet into the finish line...allowing me to smile and take in the sweetness of my mission completed. Four hours, eight minutes, and eight seconds after starting, I was a marathoner.

(Sorry, MarathonFoto.com...I'm sure my mom will purchase every single image you took of me. I just couldn't wait that long! Also, $25 for one image download? Hmph.)

Post-Race
There were no tears! I was certain that there would be! I was so happy and unstressed during the entire experience that my main emotions after crossing the finish line were disbelief, gratefulness, and even more JOY. I kept walking, gathering water (which was quickly chugged), my medal, and a fleece finisher's blanket (super nice!). I had a photographer snap a picture as me as I waited for Boyfriend to wade through the masses of runners and spectators. Seriously, I was on top of the world.

I quickly found one of our Seal Team PT training instructors, along with some other teammates who'd already finished. After about 15 minutes, I could slowly feel the adrenaline leaving my body and what remained was a thirsty-hungry-nauseated-weakness. Don't worry, I still had happiness aplenty and no muscle spasms! I ate two slices of pizza and a small Gatorade, stretched, and congratulated a few more teammates, then I was ready to head out of there. Sweaty, salty, smiley and victorious!

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