Oh My God! I Did IT!!

I am officially a half marathoner! On Saturday, February 2, 2008, I ran 13.1 miles at the Tybee Half Marathon. It was an incredible experience and I am so freakin' proud of myself. I still can't believe that I did it and it seems surreal.

Jeff and I got to Tybee around 5:30 Friday evening and picked up our race packets, which consisted of a t-shirt and a number. No frills in this race! We then headed over to Savannah to find a grocery store and hopefully somewhere that I could pick up a technical shirt with long sleeves that would be cooler than my Under Armor cold gear top to race in. We went into Publix and got some water, bananas, and pretzels for the evening and headed off in search of a Target. Neither one of us could figure out what we wanted to do for dinner, so we agreed to eat pretzels to keep it light. We found the Target and I grabbed a long sleeve top to wear the next morning. We headed to the hotel to begin the relaxation process. We had a lovely dinner of pretzels and oranges. At 10:00 pm, it was lights out. I only wish my mind would have turned off with the lights. It was a fitful night's sleep to say the least. Oddly enough, I smelled what seemed to be a paper mill until after 3 am. I was anxious, worried, excited, and concerned. 5:30 am came so quickly.

As I crawled out of bed, I reached for half a bagel. I knew it would be key to get fuel in my body, not only to give me energy for the race, but also to take my anti-inflammatory. I dressed quickly and went to put in my contacts. Dang! It burned!! I guess when I put the Zostrix on my leg the night before, I didn't clean off my hands well enough. Tears sprang forth, and it took me several attempts to get my right contact in. Finally, I was successful and after putting my hair up, ready to go to Tybee. Normally, I have tons of nervous energy so I sing and make up silly dances. This morning was different. I could barely make a sentence. The drive over to Tybee was breath taking. The sun was rising above the water and it brought back a flood of memories of our wedding. I knew today would be a special day as well. We parked the car near the walkway we used to get to the beach on that day and headed over to the gymnasium. It was cold and I hoped that we could wait inside (we could, thankfully!). We found Michael and his girlfriend Kelly and spoke with them for a few minutes, made last minute potty stops, and headed outside. Jeff and I went over to a short side road and just took in the sun above the ocean. Funny, the ocean seemed so still. I really do not remember seeing any waves, just calm. Jeff told me to use the energy and I did. I thought about how far I had come over the past 8 years, about how proud my dad and brother would be of me, and prayed for God to give me strength of mind and body. We then went to line up. The half marathon and marathon lined up on one side of the street and the 5K lined up on the other, facing opposite directions. For a brief instance, I thought about switching sides and just running the 5K. But I knew I was trained, I was ready and could do this. Before I knew it, the 5K started and the crowd in front of me started to move. Oh my God, here I go! A quick kiss goodbye and good luck from Jeff and it was on. I fought the urge to speed up. As slow as I run, I hate to be passed by people. But, I had a goal (2:40) and knew it was a long race to run. The first mile, I took it all in - the runners, the island, the pounding of my feet, the beating of my heart, and the sheer exhilaration of it all. That lasted approximately 11 1/2 minutes. After that, I pulled out the iPod because I knew I was going to need some music. I ran for a brief while I ran next to a lady in a 50 Marathons in 50 States shirt, Mama Jean. She was wearing a red flowered bathing cap. I told her this was my first half marathon and I had a long way to go to catch up to her. She told me that I also had a lot more years to do it. She was a hoot and I saw her after I finished the race, passing the 1/2 way point in her marathon. I spoke to a lady who had run the Houston half marathon. But mainly, I just ran. I ran with a mission, a purpose. Now, I will never be the fastest runner, I'll never win any awards, at best I am a back of the pack runner. But, I run for me and me alone. There was excellent support at almost every turn. There were residents on the sidewalks and even a group of kids on their roof, cheering us on. At mile 8, I told myself only 5.1 miles left. Gosh, 5.1 miles seemed like an awfully long way. But I still felt strong and good. I was below my pace and just kept on chugging. At about mile 8.75, I passed the Sugar Shack and the car. It gave me renewed energy. There was the walkway again, as I ran past, I turned to look at the ocean and thought fondly of that beautiful day 4 years ago. There was the Tybee Island Inn, where we stayed. I never really could see the B&B, just the parking lot and gate. We turned the corner and headed to the lighthouse. There was a lot to see right there and it kept my mind off of what my body was going through. However, at mile 11.5, my mind began to play tricks on me. It began to tell me that I was ahead of schedule and could slow down, it told me that I could stop and walk, that this was the furthest distance I had ever run and I might not be able to do it. One of the residents had set up a bubble machine and it was blowing hundreds of bubbles across the road. It was really cool to run through all the bubbles. I now know what it feels like to be on the Lawrence Welk set. I pushed and I pushed. At mile 12, there was a water stop, and as I had every one before, I stopped to walk and take in some water. At mile 12.5, I looked around me and realized that many people were walking - I caved in and allowed myself to walk for 25 seconds. By this time, I was rounding the corner, back at the Tybee Island Inn. I was close! I could feel it! I got it together, knew the end was near. Only 2 1/2 more songs and I would be done! Here comes the Sugar Shack. Here I was back on the main road. I could hear the music at the Finish Line. I could begin to see the people lined up. I willed my feet to move one in front of the other. I was going to do this. I dug deep within me and prayed for energy. I looked up ahead and saw a yellow shirt and white hat. It was Jeff! He was leaning out to look up the roadway. I was overcome with feelings. As I neared, he jumped off the sidewalk and ran for a few seconds with me telling me over and over again I had done it and to finish strong. I put every cell of my being into getting across that finish line. As I crossed, I thanked God and became very emotional. All the pain, tears, miles, time, doubts, feelings of inadequacies were shattered as I stepped over that mat. A medal was handed to me. I just wanted to find my husband! Someone pulled me over to a chair and removed my timing chip. Where is he? Oh, there he is! I ran to Jeff and got the biggest hug and I love you ever! This was an experience to savor. Here I am 2 days later and I still wonder if it can be true. Me? The one always chosen last in gym class; the one that was comfortable with her brain, but never physical ability; the one who was content for so long to sit from the sidelines and watch, but not participate; and me, the one who fought back from health issues and refused to take no for an answer. That's right - that's me! Me, who ran 13.1 miles; me, who beat the goal by 3 minutes and ran it in 2:37:07; me, the one who will run a marathon. Gone is the other person, the person I was. Because the person that I am is a half marathoner!