Photos!!!!!

The first couple are from Nashville

And then NJ...

Mile 22...

Wohooooo!!! We did it!!!

Ouch...it was a HOT one

It was a HOT one!!!!

But I finished the Marathon!!!!! It was 92 degrees, sunny, and OH MY did it seem like eternity. But I got there. I should say, we got there, because without the Team in Training coaches, and Alissa I would not have had a very good time. I know, the average person hears..26.2 miles, 6 hrs, 92 degrees and they think 'Why on earth?" But for the marathon runner...it's different. After the race, my mom looked at everyone limping and some barely walking, myself included and she asked "why do these people do this to themselves? I just don't get it" Maybe we are crazy...but hey WE are marathon runners!!! ahhh I'm a marathon runner!! haha



The strangest thing happened, the hours leading up to the start, I wasn't nervous. I have gotten nervous for every single race I have ever done: 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons...And this day, the biggest race of all, I was calm..

Saturday Night I arrived in Long Branch, NJ. I had never heard of the town and so was not sure what to expect. It was the shore, just not the shore I am used to. The hotel where the expo was, was also the start and finish. It was nice, right on the boardwalk.

The Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon had about 10,000 runners which was a little different than Nashville's 30,000. The expo was a lot smaller, but I still was able to get what I needed.I got a hot pink belt, so I could fit my Gu in. I was only able to carry one pack in my shorts and that was not enough. Then I wandered around and found some headbands. They were cloth, so I figured it would be good to dunk in water and put it back on during the race. I bought a purple one with 26.2 written on it. I was hesitant because I didn't want to jinx myself. I mean what if something crazy were to happen and I were only able to finish half again? But I knew that even if I didn't run the 26.2 on May 2...I would some day. So I got it..

I stuck with the PowerGel (3) and some sports beans. I am not a huge fan of the Gu so I brought two gels with me and some beans to mix it up. I knew I would be drinking the Gatorade too so I would be getting the calories I needed. The beans taste just like Jelly Beans, but they have caffeine so its like a cracked out Jelly Belly :p

I get so frustrated adding pictures on here, so I will add the race ones next as a separate entry.

When I met up with the team later on, I got all the same chills back from the week before. Decorating the Jerseys and just feeling the excitement with everyone in the room, it was great.

I saw Alissa there and I got so excited! She had given me a ride home from one of the Team functions a few months back but I hadn't seen her many times since. I had a feeling we were around the same pace though.

My roommate this time, was Magee.. Not Maggie, Magee (Ma- G- EE). Her name is Margaret and she was pretty excited! She was running the half marathon. We stayed up for awhile talking about what made us join Team in Training and who we were running for. I told her about my mom and she shared with me about her family. She was running for her brother who passed away with Leukemia at a very young age. She had a picture of him that she laminated and pinned to her back. Another one of the most rewarding things this experience has brought was being able to talk with people about their experiences with cancer and how they have been affected by the disease. In Nashville, one of the runners was running for her roommate who has leukemia and another person was running to remember their college roommate who also had leukemia. One of the runners that was in Nashville with me and came back for round 2, Beth, had 37 people she was running for. She made something to keep with her during the run. It was made out of hair ties and ribbons. Each mile she dedicated to one or two patients so she would know who she was running for the entire time.

May 2, 2010 The Starting Line... 9Am

They had us line up near the pace team we were aiming for. I was right next to the 5 hour pacer, who was dressed in a full suit. It was his 34th year running the New Jersey Marathon and I believe, his 34th in a full suit! Did I mention it was 92 degrees?!

They played "Born to Run" by The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen...Of course they did, it was the NEW JERSEY marathon!

As we got piled in and started to move, I closed my eyes and just remembered what led up to that moment. The night I went to the orientation at the Crowne Plaza and signed up to do this, FREAKING OUT in my mind at the thought of 26.2 miles.. to the training runs in Valley Forge in the snow with the frozen Gatorade.. Hearing the mission moments before the team runs about how research truly is saving lives and about those who it was too late but it doesn't have to be for the next person.. The blisters.. Sore muscles... and sense of victory I felt as I ran 14, 16, 18, then 20 miles! and I thanked God for carrying me up to this starting line.. As a tear started to form I opened my eyes and asked Him to carry me another 26.2 and I was on my way...

Alissa was exactly what I needed..She helped me to keep a pace, instead of letting my adrenaline speed me up then having to walk. We had about a 12 min mile, which I was happy with.. As the course went away from the beach..the heat started to climb. We went through mostly residential areas, which ended up being the best thing. The people who lived on this course were absolutely amazing!!!! They had their hoses out and sprinklers set up and as the day progressed, they started to set up their own water stops. Maybe I didn't notice them the first loop but the second loop they were what kept me going. The water stops were about 2 miles apart which was about 24-26 minutes for us. We hit every hose (or I should say every hose hit us, we just got in their stream), Gatorade, and Water stop the entire time.

One house had a little boy, spraying us as we ran by. A runner behind me said, "You think that kid is going to get in trouble tomorrow, because now he thinks it's okay to spray everyone that walks by." haha

There were signs in the middle of the street with motivational quotes that helped a lot.

By Mile 12, Alissa and I were planning our next marathon. As we headed back to the boardwalk to go to Loop 2, most of the runners were finishing up. There were at least 4 times the people running the Half. My parents, Aunt, and Paul were the best fans. Alissa's parents and Boyfriend were awesome too. They went from Mile 9...to Mile 13...Back to mile 22...and the finish. They had a cooler of Ice water and rags to refresh us. As the day crept on...the heat picked up.

In Nashville, I was so worried about my time (because I was trying to qualify to finish in time to run the whole) that I wasn't able to enjoy each mile, each step for what it was. The night before this race, I prayed that I would be able to stay in each step...And it truly worked!!! I spent little to no time trying to figure out the projected finish time. I did try to see how long each mile took, but the mile that was already done..the mile I would not have to see again!

Mile 18 was the first time that we took a walk break..we walked while we got water and stopped to see our families but up til 18 we ran most of the way. We ran/walked til Mile 22 and then walked the majority of the end. It is so crazy how my muscles felt DRASTICALLY different from run to walk then back to run. At mile 24 I asked Alissa about that second marathon and we both laughed...but we decided if we do another it will be somewhere like Antarctica..

She kept telling me to run ahead if I wanted to, but she had gotten me through the first 23 miles and I wasn't going to cross that finish line like I had run that marathon by myself. We crossed it together and the pic turned out pretty good. When I saw the informational video, the night I signed up for Team in Training..it showed people crossing the finish line together and hugging and crying.. And I was able to experience that true team feeling. The coaches were amazing too, they kept popping up right when we needed them and I know now that I was in the race I was supposed to be in. After all is said and done, I wouldn't change a thing :)

I changed the blog in honor of my last week! This is it folks!! I was thinking, on my run yesterday, how after I signed up for Nashville I had some down thoughts. A few weeks after choosing to go to Nashville over Jersey, I saw Maggie run the Philly Marathon. Standing with her family and other friends, I secretly wished that I had signed up for something closer to home. I wanted to feel what she was feeling, and at the time did not think I would. So as my training continued I just thought about how much support I had been getting with everything and the real final race, I'd have all of the ones I cared about in my mind and heart. Which really was my fancy dance around the self pity that my family and friends wouldn't get to see me, Waaaah :*(

Then Maggie signed up to run Nashville too... Then My brothers booked a flight...Then my parents showed up 12 hrs before the race to surprise me... then the weather came..

I was so angry that I had planned out April 24, since November 16 and now it was all ruined! How can this happen? So yesterday on my run, I realized...I had secretly wished to run somewhere close to home and now I AM!!!

I got my new itinerary today from Amanda and I got the same chills I did two weeks ago when I got my first marathon stuff. You see I get a do over. An immediate, do over. I know my brothers will not be able to make it this weekend, but they were there last weekend and I will be talking to them up to the start and right from the finish. My parents who I was convinced would not be able to see me finish (until they surprised me) will be there when I cross the finish line. And whether or not many of my other friends or family make it. I'm running in JERSEY ya'll! (I kinda like Ya'll and may be implementing it from time to time *WARNING*) I am a born and raised Jersey girl and it really only seems fit to run this marathon on home turf. I got to see the sights of Nashville and Tallahassee with my half marathons, but I am starting to think this all worked out in my favor.

I wish that I could just instantly produce a video montage of the past 5 months. The beginning when I was pumped but unsure. The middle when I went farther and farther each week then I ever have before. The last few weeks when I was filled with fear and doubt. Last weekend when I ran with a smile on my face for 11 miles. To right now when I am still nervous and a little worried but so grateful I will be able to finish! I know that I can, and I am going to have fun doing it.

What I learned from my test run last week: Bring my own GU, possibly my own water (still debating), wear a watch (that way I know), Leave it all on the course, HAVE FUN and enjoy that extra LONG victory lap of the past 5 months of training!!!

Here is the link to the pics from Nashville. And I must say they came out pretty well ;)

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event_entry.py?event=Sports%2FRRUS%2F2010%2FCountry+Music+Nashville+Marathon+and+Half&new_search=1&match=19329

(Not sure if that will come up as a link, so just copy and paste it in the Address bar if not)


Long Branch New Jersey ~ THE NEW JERSEY MARATHON

Will be starting at 9am on Sunday May 2, 2010

Team in Training has hooked it up so I am rooming with someone ( I have yet to meet) on Saturday night and get to relive the morning of with the team.

All of the spectator details are on the marathons website

http://www.njmarathon.org/index.html

Ok I hope to see you out there kids.. and if not say a prayer the tornadoes steer clear of the Jersey Shore on Sunday :) GO TEAM!

Just a Little Bit Longer

Looks like my journey is going to be just a little bit longer. With severe weather warnings rolling in this morning the race officials changed the finish time from 7hrs to 4.5.. If you were not on the pace to finish in 4.5hts by mile 11, you were told to finish the Half.. We got word of the new rule yesterday afternoon and I wanted to cry when I heard this. I told my brothers what I had just heard on the radio about tge time restrictions and they told me it would be okay. Last night at our team meeting, our leader offered us a chance to run a full marathon next weekend if we were not allowed to finish today. The race is on Longbranch, NJ on Sunday. So it looks like my journey will be for eigth more days. I'm Comfortable with the 2:30 it took for me to run my half.. My goal is five hours for the full so I am right on pace.. I found out later that a lot of the runners were not allowed to finish so it actually worked out I only ran 13 and not like 20, because I think I would be more hesitant to run 26.2 next weekend.

On to this amazing weekend!!! I spent all day with my brothers walking around Nashville. We had our matching TNT shirts on for the inspirational dinner. When I walked in I burst into tears, because my mom and my dad were sitting there waiting for me!! They had planned the trip over a month ago and it was a surprise! I was sooo shocked and happy, words can't express the warmth I felt throw through me when I saw my whole family sitting at a table in Nashville, together. I was so surprised, one obviously because they were really there and I thought they didn't have enough money to come..but two, they are so bad at secrets!! Seriously all of them are like tge worst secret keepers, just like me, guess it's in the genes.
Now the silent car ride to the airport made more sense. My dad came to my apartment and drove me to the airport. What I didn't know was that, then he drove home to pick up my mon just to come right back to the airport.. They were in Nashville for over 24 hrs before I even knew it. I have felt so much love this weekend it is amazing. Even if my parents really weren't going to be able to make it, they have shown me so much support the past few months and I know I truly am grateful. Above and beyond doesn't even begin to explain these 4 <3
unfortunately my brothers will not be able to see me finish my first full marathon, but my parents will :) I'm coming to realize that the whole training, the past 5 months, is just as much a part of my first marathon as the final shebang. They have all been present; whether physically or emotionally my whole journey and so have so many of my friends.
This morning before the race began, they wished us good luck by saying "this is your reward to all of your hard work. Just enjoy, your victory lap" and that is such am awesome way to look at it.
So the story continues.. I'm gonna kick up my heels and do some country line dancin y'all.. Yeehaw

Leavin on a Jet Plane...

It's Finally Here!!!

I leave tomorrow!!! for Nashville, TN! Holy Crap!!! It's here!!! We leave @ 10:30am tomorrow. My brothers will be flying in tomorrow Night and Jana will be driving from TX. Maggie and her Cousin are driving down from Philly and leaving tonight, but they will be getting there around the same time as us I think. Oh man!!! I am nervous about the run. I am more nervous because the forecast is 76 and Thunderstorms but I know it will be okay. I plan on taking TONS of pictures!!! So keep checking.... This story is far from over :)

Random Pics from Around Town

The trees are blooming :)

Frank

The Lakes at FDR

Kelly Drive at Dusk

Market St

Got My Groove Back

Well slightly...My past two runs have felt pretty awesome. My mind is like 3 weeks early on the attack… But my attitude shut it down this morning : ) The raffle we held at work raised $215 for me and for the winner. Yesterday the winner came in and she donated $100 of her winnings back to me! So we made $315 from one week of a 50/50 raffle at work! Pretty awesome. Now there is $237.40 standing between me and that finish line, oh yeah and 26.2 miles!
This Sunday will be my last and longest long run, 22 miles. Some training schedules stop at 20 but we, we are going two more! Which I am pretty glad about actually. Hopefully I will feel that way while I am running it. I am glad because I think that if your body has run that far before the initial race it may be a little less likely to get pissed at you.

I want to thank my friends for bearing with me the last week. I have been a bit of a downer, Negative Nancy if you will. But you guys have lifted me back to where I need to be. When I complained and was super negative, you just made it easier for me to grasp the big picture. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself and I don’t want this to be that kind of an experience. I want this to be fun! And for that to happen I have to allow myself to get out of the way and let my body do what it has been waiting to do for 5 months!
I am so lucky to have people in my life who care enough to tell me to cut the crap… as lovingly as possible of course. Half the time when I called them I was hoping for them to tell me it was okay but thankfully they are not a fan of Negative Nancy and I am glad to report she is no longer here : )

I have still not added the pictures I took from my various excursions around town, but I promise I will add them before the marathon. I am kind of sad to leave the blog in a month… Maybe I will change it to something cool and hip… haha
Once I figure that out. Or maybe it can be a sports blog.. But being a girl it would most likely just end up being pictures of the Phillies with captions like “adorable” hahaha I will sleep on it. Not to say women can not be sports bloggers, because they can. They are just as good, if not better than men… (That statement was so Ashley didn’t kill me when she read this lol).

I feel fantastic today.. I have a few things going on the next couple weeks which are going to make the time go by even faster before the marathon. Nashville! Man I have never been there but when the travel guide, lady called with her Southern accent I got excited! I have a feeling I am going to end up just staring at the natives when they talk. Accents are so cool, I kind of wish I had one. So one more long run, a baby shower, and a wedding and I’m in Nashville! Oh yeah and a Phillies ring ceremony game ;) April is going to be fun! Did I mention it’s going to be 90 degrees today? Yeah it is April 7 right? Just checkin.. At least I am getting some practice with the heat before headin down south!!