Marathon Slide Show!

So I finally put all my pictures together.  Here is a slideshow of race day that tells a story about my journey.  More pics from the rest of the trip to San Diego to come soon!

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The Definition of 26 miles and 385 Yards

(Warning this is long 🙂 )

The name marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the Senate, exclaiming “Νενικήκαμεν” (Nenikékamen, ‘We have won’) before collapsing and dying of a heart attack.

Well, as you can tell from my writing, I am still alive and did not suffer the same fate as Pheidippides.  in fact, not even close!  But that is not to say that my journey was all that different either.  Sure, I was not carrying a message that my country had won the war, nor can I say that I never ever stopped, but I did run with a mission and a message all my own and I did win.

I was promptly out of bed at 3:45 am on Sunday less nervous and delirious than I was prepped I would be.  Not sure what to credit that to, but I guess preparation?  I had laid out my gear and outfit from head to toe, packing the pockets of my race shorts with everything from salt packets, chap stick, and anti-bacterial wipes to my waterproof camera.  I kissed Jon goodbye and out the door I went to meet up with all the TNT participants in the lobby.  It was exciting to see how excited and nervous everyone was, the emotions that were swirling could have written many a blog!

All the pre-race festivities were so well organized, from the bus ride, to the food and beverages, to the ample amount of port-a-potties  they had it figured out.  It was chilly, but not cold, more refreshing than anything else.  I really felt good about everything that morning.  I lined up in the corral with Sherry and Michael from my training group and we all pumped each other up before the start.  We were in corral 14 out of 22 I believe.  The wheelchair racers were off first, followed by the runners start, which had the VIP runners up front, an impressive group of marathoners, including Kenyan Daniel Yago who won the Chicago Marathon last year.  And about 7 minutes or so later, I crossed the start line.

The first 6 miles wound through Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego, past all the sites Jon and I had spent visiting over the past 2 days.  I felt strong, my pace was right on time with my chart.  Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was being up longer before my run than any other long run before, but man I had to pee around mile 3.  As we passed port-a-potty after port-a-potty, the lines were too long!  I didn’t feel like wasting time when I was feeling great to stand in line to pee.  So I kept going.

My first mental check point was mile 7, right outside our hotel where I knew Jon and my family would be waiting to cheer me on.  Unfortunately my parents hadn’t made it yet due to the race traffic, but Jon was there with a “GO Tara” poster and it was such a relief.  On to the next checkpoint, mile 14.

After mile 7 is when I would say the course “showed it’s true colors”.  Once we left downtown, we headed onto the freeway (highway for us Floridians).  The freeway provided less music and crowds to cheer and gave us the hills.  I knew the course had hills, I was not totally naive in training for this race, but these were a whole different kind of hill.  They were slopped hills.  I didn’t train on sloped hills.  My ankles were grasping for flat ground (I am from Florida after all).  But it was hard to find, and the areas that were flat, were crowded.  It was around mile 9 on the freeway that I saw a woman pants to her ankles behind a bush and I said, “oh no, it’s not coming to that” so I saw a line that wasn’t forever long and waited.  I told myself that flat ground was coming after mile 10 and I could make it there no problem.

I lost about 3 minutes in line for the bathroom but man did I feel better!  Off I went.  The next 3 miles didn’t feel as much of a relief, the slopes still felt strong to me. I knew the half marathon mark was approaching and I was right on time.  Seeing the half participants veer off to the right was so tempting 🙂  The crowds got larger as we headed into the suburbs and the cheering was great.  I kept my eye out for my cheer squad around mile 14 but it was hard to see, turns out I was too fast for them 🙂

It was great having families come out from their homes to pass out oranges, water, and pretzels to runners, the community in San Diego is awesome.  The sun had made it’s way out and the temperature was starting to rise.  I felt strong, but could feel pain in my feet that was starting to grow.  All of the TNT coaches along the course were such a great support system.  I had my name on my singlet so everyone I ran by would yell out words of encouragement.  Best idea ever 🙂  I tried hard to concentrate on my fluid intake I would not be over loaded or dehydrated.  I was sort of fearful on the accelerade from the horror stories people would tell about its effects on your stomach, but I was mixing it with water and feeling OK.

Mile 16 brought us into Mission Bay Park which was beautiful and gave us a view of the water finally!  It also had some fun and energetic bands.  It was about this time I felt my time was slipping.  My feet were sore and I was getting a terrible cramp in my left shoulder.  But, some reassurance because the 4:45 pace leader approached behind me and I was excited to see I was still on my goal pace after all.  The pace leader was awesome, he was so encouraging and kept me going.  I followed along with him until we got close to mile 20.  Mile 19 started us through the Pacific Beach neighborhood and it was uphill…again.  As my legs weakened from sore feet and my shoulder was driving me nuts, I extended my walk after the water stop and quickly saw the pace flag fade off into the distance.

I guess you could say it was at this time I hit the wall.  Maybe more of a mental wall than a physical one.  When i saw my time run away, I lost focus, I felt defeated that I wouldn’t make my goal time of 4:45:00 so I let it get to me.  I walked over the bridge that led to mile 20 and then tried to pick up the pace again.  The last 6 miles are where the race really begins they say..and I was not competing on all cylinders.  I probably walked/run the next 3 miles here and there, battling with my mind to keep going even though it hurt.  The cheering was starting to annoy the crap out of me, I was irritable and I just wanted to finish this damn thing!  At mile 22 I saw my coach Sandy and she could tell I was hurting.  She sprayed some biofreeze on my shoulder and pushed me along the mile to 23 and gave me some more courage.  So I dug for it.

I told myself, when I see mile 24, my lucky number, it was full steam ahead, and that’s what I did.  Even thought it hurt, and I was mentally exhausted, I ran, and kept running.  I could feel the finish line approaching and I wanted it.  I knew 4:45 was gone, but dammit 5 hours was still attainable!   I wanted so desperately to see Jon and my family at the finish and i wanted them to be proud and see me finish strong.  Once you enter the Marine Corp Depot, where the race finished, it was sort of a cruel joke,  corner after corner it was like “where the heck is the finish?!?!”.  As soon as I got a glimpse I pushed every last ounce of energy into my legs and my arms and headed towards the finish line, seeing 4:59 hit my watch.  I heard someone yell “GO TARA” from my left and there was Jon, so excited to see me and he ran along the side towards the finish.  I could see the smiles on my parents faces and I just let it all go.  1, 2, 3 4, more steps and BAM, I made it….4:59:38!!!  Thankfully my family was able to sneak in to the finish area so they could be there to hug me as I crossed the finish line.  I just cried seeing them.  I cried because I was happy and because it hurt.  I cried because I made it under 5 hours and because I didn’t make it under 4:45.  I was a mess…or as San Diego newsman Ron Burgundy would say “I’m in a glass case of emotion!”.

Ice packs, cold washcloths, water and random snacks followed as i waddled my way out of the finish area to find a patch of grass to lay down.  My family and Jon were so wonderful and supportive and got me whatever I needed.  The rest of the time there was a but of a blur but before I knew it I was on a bus back to the hotel and enjoying my heavenly bed.  Jon followed shortly after with two large bags of ice and took a little too much pleasure in pouring in on 🙂

A few hours of rest and I was ready for a cheeseburger and a beer, which tasted amazing!  Legs were sore, but it was worth it.  The next two days we were there we actually  walked way more than i should have, but I think it helped me really.  Today I feel great and my legs aren’t really sore at all.

So was I a success?  Absolutely!  I finished the race, i used every ounce of energy I had and did not waste a drop.  I pushed myself to the limit and accomplished an amazing personal goal.  The whole experience changed my life in so many ways and I’m so thankful for it.  Was it hard? Sure.  Could I have done better?  Ya, knowing what I know now about that course I would approach my training in a different way.  But for a first timer, I did my very best. Im really proud of myself.

And what was my message that I was trying to deliver?  While not as monumental as Pheidippides message of a war won, my message is that attaining a personal goal like running a marathon can change lives.  While not for everyone, anyone who wants it bad enough can do this, and the 22,000 people that lined up on Sunday morning can attest to that.  Training for over 4 months for something is the most dedicated I have been to one thing in my life.  It forced me to take control of my life and focus on what really matters.  I think that people who are looking for clarity in their lives can find it in a running program.  You can find health, mental well being, friends, organization and empowerment.  Why not give it a try?

And the question I get the most….  Will you ever run another marathon?

Absolutely!

(Pictures to come soon!)

Who would have thought 10 miles would be easy??

OK, in my case 9, but all the same.  We had our last group run this morning at the Cady Way Trail, and thanks to my air-headness, I drove to the wrong starting point…so after catching the group I completed only 9, but a quality 9 so i’m not too concerned.

There were new TNT participants out on the trail today from the fall training group, I think this was only their second week.  Michael and I stopped at a water station and gave some encouragement to a new member, it felt a bit like being a senior and giving advice to the incoming freshmen.  We promised her that it would get easier, it’s hard to believe, but that running 10 miles today felt like a cakewalk…she would get there too.

It was so hot this morning, I cannot wait to run in a place where there is no humidity and cool temps, San Diego here I come!!!

Fundraising Challenege…4 Weeks, $1000

Let’s not forget the whole reason I’m doing this crazy marathon…to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. So far my fundraising is going well, but it reached a bit of a halt and I need your help to get me to my next goal. In the next 4 weeks I need to raise $1,000. I received an awesome pledge to match dollar for dollar what I raise from a very generous person, and if I can raise $1000 over the next 4 weeks I will hit my $4000 goal!!!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to donate yet, it’s not too late. visit my fundraising page at www.active.com/donate/tntcfl/tokeeffe and pledge your support. I need all the help I can get and it would mean the world to me for you to help! This whole experience may be the most difficult thing I have ever done, but I know its nothing compared to what the people out there struggling with various blood cancers have to endure.

Thank you to those who have already shown their support!