Rob told you all that I could have done it in 4:20, but that was because the first half of the course is 100 times easier than the second half. You literally run down hill for 13 miles and then run back up hill for 13 miles.
I couldn’t have done it at all if it weren’t for my sister-in-law, Molly, and our neighbor Glen who ran the half marathon. We trained together all summer. Long 9 milers in the hot sun with no water, and easy 14 milers where it felt silly to stop because we felt we could go on forever. Molly and I share a natural pace so we could chat and chat while we ran. Unfortunately, she is a much more experienced (and younger!) runner than me and I’m afraid I held her back at the end. She still had more in her and wanted to pick it up, which we did a little, but I know she had more in her.
The good news is that she still got 3rd(!!!!) in her division and won $500. I am so proud of her! I was 70th in mine. 70th out of 119. Not nearly as impressive.
It was so awesome. Every time that I thought I was getting so tired I was crazy we’d pass another mile marker and I’d feel the relief of knowing I only had 9 miles, or 7 miles, and then 4, 3, and 2 miles till the end.
By one mile left I was unable to talk, not because I was too breathless, but because I needed all my mental energies to keep going. Rob and a good friend, Megan both had the great idea of meeting us a mile out from the finish and ran with us into Downtown. We couldn’t have done so well without them, it’s almost like they brought us fresh legs, almost…
Then we ran into the stadium and the finish and finally stopped. It was a lot like labor and birth, the labor is riveting and exhausting, and the celebration of achievement is much quieter.
Today I feel like a cement truck poured concrete into my bones. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to apologize to my family for the Beast I’m being to them.
Great to hear some of these details. My uncle Don ran yesterday, too…and apparently you beat him by about 12 mintues. My parents were in the stadium when you crossed, thinking you might have been running, but didn’t see you.
Take care of those concrete bones. I’ll run a mile for you tomorrow :-)
(Boy, that sounds lame)
You guys were awesome! Bob is now super motivated and has been looking for more races on-line! Oh, btw, Molly didn’t win any money, just a recognition award. She misread the award info., but we’re still really happy for her!
Mary
I”m still really happy for her, too. And now I don’t have to worry about how to tactfully ask for a kick-back on the $500. ;)
I’m not surprised that Bob is looking for more races. It’s the sort of thing that he loves and I’m glad that this was the outcome and not “the sad bus.”
I am already wondering if I can do a quick 3 on Tuesday. I could use a quality massage first I do believe.
It would probably take me 4 days, 20 hours to walk 26 miles. I kid. But you did great.
I am really really proud of you, that’s an awesome accomplishment! Yay Devona!
Devona,
I am very proud of you and Molly! I can only dream of running like that. I looked the both of you up and got both of your scores and pictures
Aunt Cathy