21 miles. A little blood. Some sweat. A lotta tears.
“Ok, so I just finished…and that was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But…and I have no shame clearly because I am video-ing this for you. But I will say this, you know, if you ever consider running a marathon, you need to think about it first; think about the training, think about your body. Just think. Think a long, long time before you decide to commit to something like this. now, that said, do I regret this at all? Absolutely not because it ahs taught me things about myself that I never would have known had I NOT done this. And from now on, I will be able to approach everything in life with a finisher’s attitude because I have not given up on one run. Every one that I have started, I have finished the entire distance because I didn’t want to lie to myself on marathon day. I wanted to be able to say that I did do every run. So, I’m headed back to my car right now so I can go drink my chocolate milk and try and get the feeling back in my legs (well…there’s feeling, but it’s pain) so I can drive home and have an ice bath. I hope you guys are all having a great Saturday, because mine is going to be spent in bed.”
On your mark…
21 miles. The phrase rolls off my tongue with ease. 21 miles. Done. And even now as the pain in my body has subsided, and the blood blisters have healed, 21 miles, to me, has become much more than a check mark. It marks the completion of the most difficult part of my training, and the beginning of the final taper to Marathon Monday.
To say this run was agonizing would be dramatic, but true. I’d gotten little sleep the night before and had left essential items behind in my car before I boarded the bus to Hopkinton. I was ill-prepared and lessons were learned.
Get set…
Hopkinton was a stirring, prepared little town. Security in place (caution tape, too), you’d think it was Marathon Monday if you weren’t in training. Clearly this was a “big day,” the last day of long-runnin’ for most in training. There were hundreds of runners, but the towns affected seemed unfazed. They’d seen this all before.
Go!
In our first 14 miles, I felt great. We were covering the distance. Our one goal? To finish comfortably. At mile 14, however, it all went downhill. I began to experience a cramping I’d never felt. It was as if something were eating away at my legs and I could not stop it as it traveled from my toes all the way through my thighs and to my butt. It was a throbbing, agonizing pain that had me doubled over. I told my running partner, Kate, that I needed to call Coach Rick, because I was not sure that I could finish with 7 miles to go.
“You can do this.” Kate seemed sure. And I believed her, because even as the words escaped my lips to call Rick, I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t finish the distance I’d set out to do. So I ran limped.
The next few miles were a combination of stopping to massage my legs, crying, and running/limping. My legs were beyond pain, my Achilles was bleeding and I was beyond self-motivation. I ran because Kate told me I could. She talked me through every stride and seemed completely unconcerned about her own pace and the fact that I was clearly putting a damper on her run. She would not leave my side, so the least I could do was finish, if only for her patience. I found myself in a good rhythm again, keeping my stride shortened and focusing on my breathing. All seemed ok until…
Heartbreak Hill. I will not lie. I wanted to give up right then and there. It was the first time in 6 months of training that the thought of giving up outdid my drive to finish. I’d already been running 4+ miles on pure will; there was no way I could stretch another 2 up an incline.
But then Coach Rick appeared out of nowhere like a knight in shining armor offering some motivation. “You are this much away from the finish.” He indicated an inch of space between his thumb and index finger. That image gave me all I needed to continue up the hill. I told Kate that she needed to finish without me and that I’d be right behind her. I’d held her back long enough. I watched her in all her strength take on that hill like a pro. Eventually, she disappeared from view as I continued at my own limping pace. I would not give up. And I did not. And I cried. And I finished.
Sheree all I can say is WOW!!!
What you accomplished today was of your own free will and your desire!
Does not matter if your mascara was running or a snot was hanging?!!!
You are truly blessed!!!
I was really proud of your effort during this run. We learn so much more about ourselves and our capabilities during challenging times. This was a defining moment in your training…one that will pay dividends in the Boston Marathon if you should encoutner similar difficulty. You KNOW that you can weather the storm.
Your Coach,
Rick
http://www.bostonmarathoncoach.com
THANK YOU! For everything 🙂
you’re a god-damn inspiration, woman. I’ve said it before. But every time I read something new, I’m overcome with more and more pride in you…and I’ve never even met you!
I thought about you at my half marathon last weekend. I thought about you when I cried at mile 12 because I’d hurt myself and didn’t want to go on. And I thought that if you can go on at mile 18, I can continue at mile 12.
Happy tapering!
THANK YOU. That means so much to me!!!!
I am so happy for you and your amazing half marathon finish! How did it go overall? I know you had some aches and pains at mile 12, but it speaks volumes of your character that you were able to grind through it and finish. That is awesome!!
So happy for you 🙂
Sheree, you have no idea how much of an inspiration you are to me! I was so proud to finish that run with you, and though I was certain you could do it, I knew there was no way I would have been able to go it alone if I were in your shoes.
You’re a rockstar, m’dear! And you will destroy that course on Marathon Monday, I know it!
Thank you, Kate!! I am so lucky to have had you there!! Will you be at the marathon coalition pasta dinner? I want to be able to get your gloves to you!!
I’d go on for paragraphs about the half, but I wrote all about it in my blog. Have a look if you get a chance.
Hi Sheree,
I found your blog while I was looking for some marathon information, and I had to say congratulations on your past run! I ran a couple in 2008 and 2009, and I remember those long training runs. You hit it right, that there are so many things learned from each and every one, and every one will be a part of who you are. In any case, best of luck!
Thank you, Andrew!
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