26.2 Miles and Lived to Tell it!

[ttdriver]

Thanks so much for all your encouragement...thanks to you guys, I finished my first marathon RUNNING!

Yes, Virginia, you *can* run a marathon on Atkins ...

I have a killer callous on my second toe of my right foot .. a bloody toenail on the third toe of my left foot, but other than that, NO CASUALTIES!

Let me describe my maiden voyage marathon...

At 4:00 a.m., THUNDERSTORMS AND WIND (to GALE FORCE), AND MEGA LIGHTNING descended upon Tampa Florida ... But I got up and out of bed, made myself 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon and a piece of carbstyle whole wheat toast....grumbling all the way...thinking "I *did* move to the sunshine state, didn't I? Isn't this supposed to be our dry season? Then why oh why are we having a major monsoon?" I had momentary thoughts of calling off my marathon and submitting to the weather gods...but NO SIR! I haven't been training for this day THIS LONG to give in now. They say 'whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger..' Yeah okay .. fill the fuel belt with SOBE SF energy drinks, grab some extra towels .. socks, whatever .. and GO.

So we left home about 5:10 .. got downtown about 5:30 in total gridlock traffic (nothing new for Tampa .. and the rain didn't exactly HELP ..) The gridlock was sooooooooooooo bad, that DH told me at 5:50 that I better plan to get out and walk to the start line, which was about 1/2 mile. Of course it was a wind-driven torrent of rain at that point .. and I'm seriously questioning my sanity right about then..........

Got to the start line at 6:00 ... lo and behold the START TIME IS POSTPONED .. will start the race at 6:30. Can you say frustrated? So we stand around ... waiting .. getting soaked.... yep .. fun time!!

FINALLY: 6:30 a.m. and we're off. Soaked, but stoked!!

Long story short .. I finished this marathon in 5 hours & change .. running all but 1/2 mile of it which really surprised even me! Initially my plan was to run the first 18 miles, walk for 2, and run the last 6.2. But when I got to 18, I felt awesome ... the rain had subsided, but of course, the WIND DID NOT.. but what the heck .. KEEP GOING!!

I never stopped running until I hit 25 miles .. at which point, my hips started to REALLY hurt .. so much so, that walking hurt more than running, so I cranked it up for that last 1.2 miles....and crossed the finish line IN MOTION...

Kids, marathons are *not* for wimps! The first 15 miles are scot-free ... you feel good, like you can run forever .. the last 11 are another animal entirely. Doing a race of that distance means saving every bit of energy for the last 10 miles. Strength is GONE at 20 miles .. determination fades at 24 .. all that's left for the last 2 are SHEER GUTS and TENACITY ...

What I kept repeating to myself those last 10 miles: IF IT WERE EASY, EVERYONE COULD DO IT. AMEN TO THAT!

Am I glad I did it? YOU BET. There is nothing quite as emotional as crossing that finish line knowing "YOU DID IT".

Thanks again to all of you for believing in me, even when I doubted myself! I took each one of you with me all those miles ..

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Betty

[Caleymarie]

Congratulations!!!!! You are an inspiration.

[Lady_Hawke]

I got the chills reading your post!
You are one awesome woman! AWESOME!!!! Congratulations on completeing your marathon and crossing the finish line - I am so proud of you
Take care of your toes!

[Jasmain]

Well we certainly love you Betty, and would have no matter what! I'm so glad you finished it! You have more guts and determination than I thought were possible if you got through that, I'm so proud of you. Ouch to the bloody toe and callous, but you did it, and I could just cry now, I know you have to feel SO great.

[teejay]

Wow, Betty, I am sooo impressed. I am still at the walking stage(and doing it poorly too)

You are such an inspiration. I always feel I have to see how you and Sarah are doing and I am just raring to go again.

TJ

[dreamof145]

OH MY GOSH, I am exhausted just reading about it. You are awesome!! I can picture you on the marathon. Road Runner Betty, beep beep. I'm so excited for you...you pushed yourself and did it. Congratulations!!!!

[Elmark]

Congratulations Betty....
I would have been very frustrated too, sitting in a car, afraid to be there too late....But you made it there on time, and you crossed the finish line....that is awesome...Congratulations....
Put some ice on your toe....and make DH serve you a nice sup of tea...

[Eleonore]

omg..this is ridiculous but I even have tears in my eyes. Im so glad you did it Betty.
I hope you have a foot spa you deserve it.



Ele

[iyamamaschke]

WOOOHOOO BETTY My Hero YAY YOU!!!

I can't tell you how wonderful inspiring and dedicated you are you ahve been a true inspiration to me on My journey through everything and I SALUTE you girl. KEEP on going you ahev accomplished something FEW can say they have.

WAY TO GO!!!

[Kiasmama]

I wish you could see the HUGE smile I have on my face. That is sooooooo great to hear. You give us all hope. Hopefully in a few years....I'll be down there doing it with you!!! Great job.