Conquering the Marathon

Its been almost a week now since I completed the Nike Women's Marathon. The experience was worlds different from my first marathon. Last year, I was on the course participating on my own, but had so many friends and family come out to line the streets of Chicago and cheer for me. That support carried me a long way, and I knew I was going to miss having it this time around.

Instead, in San Francisco, I knew that I'd be running the course as part of a group. Not only would my local Redwood Wine Country chapter be present, but Team In Training as a whole would make up nearly 1/4 of the event's 20,000 participants! There would be a sea of purple on the course - along with TNT coaches, captains and mentors - and I could only hope that they would step in and help Mark cheer me along to a successful finish.

Through Team In Training, we were provided with hotel rooms in San Francisco's Union Square for the nights both before and after the event. It was a huge relief to not have to worry about driving an hour into the city, finding parking, and making my way to the start line by 7 am.

Even so, by 4:50 am on Sunday morning my roommate, Stephi, and I were awake, getting dressed, and eating our pre-race mini peanut butter and jelly bagel sandwiches, making sure we were in the lobby for our team's 5:30 am designated meeting time. After a little pep talk, we hopped on a shuttle bus to the start line, and by just after 6am, were shivering as we worked our way through the pre-race routine of porta potty stops (2, just to make sure), hydration attempts, and gear check. My sleeveless singlet and shorts were doing little to keep me warm in the 50 deg air, and I wished I had remembered the trick of wearing a trash bag - with holes cut out for my head and arms - to keep me warm.

Audrey, Melinda and Lindsey at the Start Line

By 6:45am, I was huddled at the start line with my running buddies Melinda and Lindsey, with whom I intended to run the beginning of the race. They convinced me to start with them in the 9:00-9:59 min/mile pace group, and although I was a little nervous about the fast pace, I conceded. I had trained with these two all season long, and thus knew that I would not keep up with them for the entire event. Even so, I was determined to try to run with a group for as long as possible - it would help to keep me motivated.

At 7:00am, with the sun not quite up yet, the start horn sounded, and we were off! It was challenging for the three of us to try to stay together as we weaved through the start crowds. By mile 2 we had started to warm up, and daylight was breaking. We were keeping a steady and comfortable pace and the pre-race hydration had worked - no need to break with the large crowds at water stops 1 and 2! After much deliberation, I had also decided to wear the fuel belt that I trained with. Good decision, because I never actually needed the water stops (again, so different from last year!)

Somewhere around mile 5, I looked to my left and saw my inspiration. Sarah Reinersten was on the course, running! For those of you who don't know the story, I met this amazing woman - the first woman above-the-knee amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon - at a conference earlier this year, and she is the reason I ever started to consider running another marathon. Her words to me were The marathon is waiting for you...Run Strong!

I couldn't believe she was there. I wish I had been able to think to say more then "Sarah!" and wave hello. Seeing her carried me up and over the hills between miles 6 and 10. I was on top of the world!

First view of the Pacific Ocean, just after mile 10.

As we entered Golden Gate Park, I was already feeling the miles. I started to focus on seeing Mark at mile 14, but was getting worried because Lindsey and Melinda seemed to be picking up the pace. I could feel myself struggling to keep up, and at mile 12 after another set of hills, finally dropped back and yelled ahead "You guys go - I'm going to slow down".

Quickly, my senses came to me. Was I really going to start walking at mile 12? I knew I could keep up with them for longer. If I didn't I would be on my own for the remaining half of the race. I sped up and caught back up with them. "Just kidding - I'm still with you guys," I said. Another good decision.

Just after mile 14, I looked up ahead and saw Mark! Lifting my arms over my head, I started waving, and he saw me, posing the camera to take an action photo. "I'll see you up ahead, what' your pace?" he yelled (once he realized that I wasn't slowing down to greet him - I couldn't! I had just made up my mind to keep running with the group). I had no idea.

At mile 14, Lindsey and Melina going strong - Audrey, a little tired:)

We continued through the park and onto the Great Highway, where we saw Mentor Jenn, cheering and clapping for us. She had just finished the half-marathon, and was already out on the course to support the other runners. We started to look for Lindsey's family, and around mile 16, we saw them. Lindsey's Mom, who ran the race last year, joined us on the course and kept us company for the next two miles!

Mile 18 was going to be a big one. Mentor Joel had told us at the pasta party the night before that he was going to run with whoever got to mile 18 first. We kept talking about how great it was going to be to have his support, and there he was up ahead! I was faltering, and was falling behind the group. One last little burst of speed caught me up to where Lindsey and Melinda had started to run with Joel, and I waved hello, and let them know I was dropping back. This time I really meant it.

Mile 18 is where I began my run/walk marathon. My body hurt, and I was out of breath from having run the first 18 miles so quickly. I had to slow down, but also knew that there were still 8 miles ahead of me. Mark sent me a text message to see where I was - I think he feared that he might not make it to the next point on time. I called him back to reassure him - I was slowing down, and it would be a while before I got to 21. "Don't worry," he said, "you're doing great! Take your time - I'll be here when you get here. I'm so proud of you honey!"

And my slow circle around Lake Merced began. At times, I think I walked more than I ran. This part of the course I knew would be tough. I was so thankful when I got to 21, and saw Mark again. This time, he got a hug, and I grabbed his hand and asked him to walk with me for a bit. It was so great to have the company for a few minutes before starting up again!

Meeting Mark at mile 21.

At this point, I was taking little swigs of GU (I had emptied 5 packets into that little bottle on the front of my belt) every 2 miles, praying for bursts of energy. During one of my swigs, a photographer started taking photos as he closed in on me. He jogged beside me and introduced himself as a photographer for the San Francisco Examiner, gathering my name and asking what I was doing. No photo in that paper, but still pretty cool!

Somewhere around mile 24, I realized that even with slowing down, I might still make my goal or a 4:30 marathon. I couldn't believe it! A race photographer must have caught me as I re-committed myself and ABSOLUTELY knew that I was going to finish!!!

Pumped!

The last 2.2 miles were where I most appreciated having my name on my shirt. Hearing "Go Audrey! You Can Do It!", and "Keep Smiling, Audrey, You're Almost There!" was wonderful. I had also received the same type of encouragement all along the course in text messages from Melissa. The TNT support along the course was amazing, and mentors and coaches from all over the country made sure to ask me how I was doing.

At mile 26, I finally saw Coach Kathleen, who started to run beside me, and then pointed ahead where Coach Renie and Mentor Joel were waiting to run me to the finish line. I was thrilled to see them, and couldn't help but smile as Joel yelled "Alright!! There she is"! Joel lifted his arms up, and pointed to me, getting the crowd to cheer me on. At they ran on either side of me, they thanked me for the great job I had done, and reminded me of all work and effort I had put in. My heart started to race as I realized the enormity of the moment. "I Did It," I said. And then I yelled, "I actually DID IT"!!! I was pumped up, and just before the finish line, they patted me on the back and dropped back, saying "This is your moment - enjoy every minute of it"!

Crossing the final timing mat!!!

I was elated as I crossed the finish line - officially in 4:26:34! I had even beat my goal!!! The emotions were overwhelming, and the feeling of accomplishment was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I couldn't keep the tears from falling as I picked up my finisher's medal, and shirt.

And although I was smiling, the tears kept falling - I felt amazing, and so incredibly proud of myself. Finally, I had experienced the amazing feeling of completing a marathon that I had been told about, but missed out on in my experience last year!

I DID IT. I CONQUERED THE MARATHON!

I hope I never lose the memory of how I felt last Sunday. My eyes still well up with tears when I think about it.

It was amazing. Incredible. I LOVED IT.