It wasn’t just about the race this last weekend. It was about completing something monumental…something I set my mind to months ago. It was about gathering friends, family, financial supporters, my church, the children being helped by the money raised, and running FOR them.
It was also about me. You see, I’ve been changed as a result of my marathon training. I’m a different woman; stronger than I ever imagined, determined like never before, happier than I have ever been.
And now, I am a marathoner. Here is my story…
The town of Chester is a nice 3.5 hour drive away. It’s a beautiful part of the state, with rolling hills, gorgeous mountains and fields as far as you can see. It’s peaceful up that way. It’s the kind of place that makes you yearn for simpler times and reevaluate the things you deem important. Late Saturday afternoon, the family and I met up with my oldest childhood friend and her family at the hotel in Chester (she was running the Bizz Johnson Half Marathon), and we all walked to dinner (pizza) and then back to the hotel for the night.
It was a restless night. For starters, on the drive into town, I realized I had forgotten my precious little Garmin. I really do love that watch: It keeps me sane while running with my “I-just-want-to-run” husband. It relays to me more statistics then I ever thought I’d need. It has been my constant running companion for six months…Without it though, I had to quickly change my 26.2 mile game plan. Unexpected changes like this have a tendency to throw me off; I don’t like veering from my plan. In this particular situation however, I remained calm (and did end up borrowing my friend’s watch…no GPS but it worked). I was sort of proud of myself (Thank you Matt, for bluntly telling me I don’t need it. You were right.).
It was also conveyed to me that evening that I may need a headlamp for the two old train tunnels on the course….and yes, that sort of freaked me out. Thankfully however, my family packs headlamps when we travel (I’m serious about that). I didn’t end up wearing one (I would have been the only runner with a light on my forehead…a hilarious mental picture indeed), but it was nice to know I had access to one.
Also that night…The kids were waaaay too excited about staying in a hotel, and as you can imagine, a mother never truly goes off-duty. The kiddies just didn’t realize that I needed a peaceful, low-key type of evening. 
We all were in bed by 9pm, but sleeping with a two year old isn’t conducive to what I would call rest.
I must insert here, a note of gratitude for my husband. As we packed for this weekend away, he had offered to pack for the kids. All I needed to worry about was my own stuff. This was VERY helpful to me and an extremely kind thing to do. It truly kept my mind focused on me. Thanks, Babe!
Sunday morning, I got the family up way too early, ate breakfast way too early, drove to Susanville to pick up my packet way too early and then drove to the starting line in Westwood way too early. But as I told the waitress at breakfast, a lot could happen in the three hours before the start of the biggest race of my life. I wanted to be prepared.
As we drove to the starting line, I laughed. There were no balloons…no streamers signifying a race was about to begin. But that is how so many trail runs are, aren’t they? Rustic. And really, I love it. I’d much rather run with 218 dedicated trail marathoners than thousands of Chicago marathoners (no offense to all the amazing runners who ran the Chicago marathon…I’ll do that someday, but that’s not who I am at the core).
Four minutes until the 9am start time, and I saw my mom and aunt. I didn’t know they were coming, and it made the tears swell up. The support I have received over the last several months has been unbelievable. And the fact I was about to begin something I’d been planning for so long…needless to say, the emotions were running high.
When the gun went off, I was in the groove. Nothing was phasing me. Just another long run. Just another long run. That is what I told myself for the first 10 miles. I felt good.
Then my stomach started to become a major, almost unbearable issue; It cramped up big time, folks. I felt like I needed to throw up…and I came close a couple of times. And goodness, I had some major lower intestinal problems. I’m sorry, I know that may be too much information for some people, but when you’re less than half way done with your first marathon, you don’t care anymore. It was awful.
I think it was about mile 11 or 12 when I finally worked up the courage and veered from the trail to “use the facilities.” Looking back, that probably cost me 5 minutes, but it was worth it. I felt better…for a while.
I crossed 13.1 miles (a half marathon distance) at 2:01. I knew I could double that and finish in 4 hours. My knee was holding up. My body wasn’t fatigued. But my stomach….ugh.
My husband met me at mile 21. I was happy to see him as it was beginning to warm up and I was still dealing with an unsettled stomach. Throughout the race, I didn’t know if I should keep drinking my Hammer Sustained Energy or stick to water. I did gag down a couple of GUs and I munched on a few pretzels along the way, but the knots, the nausea, the pain….It was not what I’d call fun. But I persevered.
I crossed the finish line exhausted…and in pain. I heard friends and family calling my name, but my stomach hurt so bad…I gave and accepted the congratulatory hugs, but more than anything, I needed a moment to myself. I couldn’t tell if I was going to poo or throw up…and in the next hour, I did both. A lot.
And I felt better.
Later, I was told that my aunt, a nurse at Oroville hospital, was quite concerned about me. My lips were blue, she said, and I do remember her telling me it was okay to lay down.
I just wanted the nausea to stop.
After I threw up (and my sincere apologies to everyone who walked in the women’s restroom after me…for I didn’t make it to the toilet), I did feel better. And then I could relish the fact that I had just run – and completed – a marathon. WOO HOO!
Fun stats: I ran 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 21 minutes. I placed 101 out of 213. 5th female in my age group and a 9:58 pace. Not bad for a tough downhill trail marathon.
To see so many of my friends and family at the finish line (Mom, Aunt Cindy, Andrew, Bertie, Luke, Cate, Lisa, Radley, Laken, Elizabeth, Heidi) was beyond wonderful. I felt loved and supported and valued. It was an amazing feeling.
I didn’t sleep well Sunday night. This particular marathon is actually considered a downhill race. I thought that would be good (it sounds good, right?), but my quads don’t agree with that assessment. They were very stiff and sore. Monday morning, I felt a little better…as long as I didn’t walk down stairs, get out of the truck, squat, bend over or reach for something that required any sort of movement in my legs.
Before heading home on Monday, the family and I drove up to Mt. Lassen. What a great family field trip! It’s volcanic country up there, and we had a blast talking to the kids about volcanoes. We saw boiling mud pots and did some hiking….and yes, it hurt my quads going up…and hurt even more going down…but it was worth it. The family had a good time, we learned a lot and really, it was probably pretty good to work out some of the lactic acid.
The rest of the drive home was difficult. My legs were still very sore (and still are), but it’s a good feeling. I am a marathoner! And….I’m ready to sign up for #2.
Much love to all of you,
Kelly
P.S. On a side note, while the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon is a well organized event and I thoroughly appreciate the countless volunteers who helped make it possible, I don’t think I’ll do it again. The course was flat…and downhill…and provided a gorgeous backdrop (Have I told you how much I just adore running in nature?). That being said however, the course followed the old train tracks, which meant it was very straight and you could see miles ahead of you at a time. Mentally, that was challenging. There were no twists or turns…no difference in your stride at any given point. There was nothing to distract you from what you were doing. Reminded me of a mouse on a wheel….
P.P.S. I will post a financial update shortly. I need to count some change, update my spreadsheet and collect a few more promised checks. Stay tuned…
