8-17-2006
The alarm goes off at 5:10am, but it didn't really matter because I pretty much hadn't slept the entire night. The alarm merely signified that it was time to start getting ready. I had spent the whole night tossing and turning trying to supress any feelings of nervousness for being unprepared for this race. But the truth was, I had no business running it. Prior to the race I had been running for maybe 2 weeks, my knee was 70% at best, and my physical therapist was pleading with me not to run it. But what does she know, right?
I meet up with Jayme (and her mother) at the starting line, and before I know it were off! Any prior feelings of nervousness had totally vanished. I knew with complete certainty and full confidence that I was ready to take this on. I also knew that there was no way in hell I was gunna let myself quit with Jayme by my side.
We finished the first 5 miles in 45:07
10 miles in 1:29:31
And the whole 13.1 in 1:57:08
I'm pretty sure I probably could have ran it 7-10 minutes faster if I was on my own, and she repeatedly told me that I could run ahead, but it was an experience that I wanted to go through with her. By mile 11 she was really struggling, and I started providing her with a lot of verbal encouragement After the race she told me that she was very appreciative of the support I gave her. The scenery was gorgeous, the skyline was beautiful. The finish line was one of the most welcoming sights I've ever seen, and the instant I crossed it I felt my legs go numb. We hugged, and congratulated each other on a wonderful race.
While I am kinda curious as to how I could have done on my own, overall I'm very pleased with the race, it was an incredible experience, and I'm praying my knee stays intact for the full marathon in Oct.
