My Marathon. I do not know where to start with this recap but this is going to get pretty long. So I guess I will start at the beginning.

Once we got all settled in our Hotel my parents, the hubs and I headed over to the Expo. We met up with Courtenay from www.autopilotlegs.com who was excellent at supporting me this whole weekend. It was nice to have her there. She understood what I was about to put my body through and was there when I needed her. 

Then we met up with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew they came into town for the weekend. We tried to find some place to eat but everything was packed. So the only place we found was Old Country Buffet. I was able to find some salad and pasta so it was all good. 

Then we went back to the hotel room where I tried to rest up. The alarm went off nice and early. I did my best to round up the troops and to the startling line we went. On a side note I always feel bad after a race because I get so stressed before a race that I get snippy at whoever is with me :(

Once again I met up with Courtenay at the starting line. She was running the 1/2 in which she did an amazing job!! This girl is an inspiration. She has had a bazillion injuries and she never gives up!! 

It was a cold start I believe it was about 40 degrees but it was supposed to get up to 70. So I went with capri’s, tank and arm warmers also known as socks.

Then it was time to start! I felt really good at the start. I felt strong. I was trucking along running. Then around mile 8 the wind and the hills hit me. So my pace slowed down. I knew there would be hills but I was not prepared for the many. The wind was brutal too. When you are going up in hill in 20 mile an hour winds it barely feels like you are moving. 

So I took it easy. I did not want to burn up too much energy I knew I would be out there a long time and I needed strength. So I slowed down when I had to. At mile 10 I could already feel a blister forming and my pace slowed down to 12 minute miles.

Sadly, it did not get any easier for me. But around mile 17 there was a wonderful volunteer that ran up to me and ran with me for a bit she helped me see that I was end to this thing. She had me in tears because I was going to finish this thing and not give up. So I kept going even through pretty slow. At this point my pace was 13 minute miles.

Right around mile 23 it became really hard! I had to literally tell my body to put one foot in front another because it just did not want to move. But I never gave up and I never stopped moving. I am really proud of myself because I want to stop in so may ways.

Finally I was able to see the starting line. I was so happy to see my family and friends at the finish line. They were such amazing support!! Just thinking about them at the finish line helped me get through some really hard times.

My finish time was 5:32:04. So I missed two of my goals but most importantly I am a marathoner. Which is something that I am extremely proud of!

My dad was happy to be there. He was showing it on the inside

I thought I would be an emotional mess at the finish line but I was not. I think I was too exhausted. We went out to eat afterwards and I just was not that hungry I kind of just wanted to take a nap but at the same time my mind was going a million miles a minute thinking about what I had just accomplished. 

There is my marathon in a nutshell. Thank-you everyone for all your support. It has helped me in this journey in so many ways. I am sure there will be more posts about this in the future once I can get my hands on more pictures :)