Over 24 hours ago I completed my very first marathon. I am amazed by the idea that I have done so.
I awoke Sunday morning at 4:17 AM after dreaming that I had overslept and missed my opportunity to start the race. The dream was so vivid that I did not go back to sleep (I was planning to get up at 5 AM). Instead I got up and started stretching. Then I made my usual oatmeal - and because it was race morning I also had an English muffin with peanut butter. Routine is important!
I already knew what I was going to wear, and my waterbelt bottles and race snacks/carbs had been refrigerated overnight in anticipation of the forecasted mid 80s temperature.
Walking buddy Jen arrived promptly at 5:45 and within minutes of her arrival David had us loaded and we were off to Bennington for our anticipated 7 AM Race start.
Following a planned pit-stop in Arlington, we arrived at the Bennington Arts Center at 6:40 AM. Plenty of time to pin on our bibs - make one more pit-stop and have a Starting Line photo taken. Lynn made sure we had an actual Official Start, complete with timing mat.
My mental approach - just another long training session on the course - with an additional 6.2 miles!
Easy enough starting out. Sunny skies. A breeze. Very little traffic. Well, it was only just after 7 AM.
As walkers with an early start time Jen and I knew the first water stations would not be set up. We were well-prepared for that. The course mileage markers were not set out either; but the spray-painted green arrows along the pavement indicated it was indeed Race Day and we were already familiar with the course!
passed the Bennington Monument, went under the RT 279 overpass and went through the small covered bridge. We passed the Bennington Train Station and made our way up Grandview. We headed for RT 67. This was not a section with shade and at about mile 7 Patty called from the upcoming water stop (mile 7.5). I reported we were close.
As we came into view, Jen and I could hear the cheering from our school's volunteer students, teachers and parents! The girls had completed their 5K race on Saturday at the Girls on the Run event. It was fantastic to be wrapped up in their enthusiasm!
Onward!
A brief pit-stop at Paulin's (because a gas station bathroom is a welcome opportunity versus portajohn) and we were ready for the first side road - and the hills of Shaftsbury!
Yes, it was time to face the "butt-shaping" hills, but we had walked them before. In fact I believe I tackled them at least 4 times in training! One thing I knew about this stretch, it would have some shade! An important piece of knowledge on this given Sunday.
At the water stop at 9.2 miles we had the opportunity to refill our drink bottles with the first of our "stashed" preferred flavors (pre-planned with training group friends who were volunteering!!). This also turned out to be our first opportunity to get ice. In fact we got our ice in baggies which turned out to be invaluable! Some salty pretzels didn't hurt either.
I put ice-cubes on my head under my hat. Very cooling! Also ice in the bra. And then the baggie draped on my neck. Jen had no hat, but all the rest was repeated.
I drank my Gatorade regularly along the road and drank water at the water stops. I encouraged Jen to do the same. We ate our energy chews regularly. I ate carbs as well, something Jen found difficult to do (she had never eaten much in training ... ).
We were passed by the lead runner somewhere just before mile 11 (he started at 9 AM) and he passed us before 10 AM. NOTE - He had been on course for just under an hour! WOW!
We encountered sporadic runners for the next 45 minutes. The first 15 or so runners were all men. Then the first woman came through.
We applauded them and they in turn gave us positive shout outs! We felt complimented.
Somewhere on the hills of Shaftsbury we passed 13.1 miles, Half Marathon distance. A little after 3 hours - not bad for warm weather and necessary time to get ice at the water stops!
Onward!
Down Maple Hill and onto Old Depot Rd. Not much shade in our future! But another drink "stash" at 15.7 miles (something like that) helped fuel our spirits as well as our bodies. New ice for the baggies and under my hat. And a chocolate chip cookie. Thanks Sarah C. !
Up RT 7A to Warm Brook Rd and on the way to E. Arlington. Again with very little shade.
The course was dotted with spectators - cheering and some offering misting from hoses and hand-spray bottles. Others offering wet paper towels for our faces. Some homeowners left buckets of water out for "dipping bandanas". I loved seeing the community's support!
Plenty of women from the training group were out on course volunteering - at water stops and as course marshals. Some, like Patty, moved along the course to document Jen's and my journey. Thanks to Cindy too for capturing us digitally in E. Arlington.
Once through the middle of Arlington, and past the Mile 20 sign, it was all new "ground-breaking mileage"- having never walked further than 20 miles at a time during training.
That moment was not lost on Jen or myself. It was exciting to think that with each step we were walking further than ever before!
The stretch along 7A in Arlington - northward towards Dunham Rd. - was sunny and the most-traffic filled. We were somewhat confined to the roadside by orange cones for our safety. It was really the only part of the course that Jen and I could not walk 2-abreast. We gave way for some runners to pass and looked forward to our next side road- Dunham.
And there was Patty (and Bryne) with a cooler of ice! And smiles! Ah- Mile 21!
Thank you, thank you. We crossed the railroad tracks.
A little ways up the road we could hear a train. Ah ha! We had made it through the train-crossing without an interruption. Woo hoo!
A mile later I took Jen's picture by the Mile 22 sign. All smiles!
Before we knew it we were at the Mile 22 + water stop. Our last refilling station for our "stash". And hooray more ICE!
I think Dunham Road was the most challenging stretch for footing. The road had recently received new stone and it stood out. Jen and I could feel each and every stone underfoot. Ouch. At least there was periodic shade.
We knew there was one short hill coming up before the final stretch - Sunderland Rd/River Rd. Upon approaching the foot of said hill I noted a voice calling out our names - Patty!
I don't know if you know what it means to have someone speaking directly to you on course. But for me it was jump-starting. I felt drawn to her voice and took Jen along with me on the wave of energy that came along with hearing our names. "Let's knock this hill down!" I believe is what I said to Jen as we pumped our way up the short, but "aggressive" hill. A quick kiss to my friend Patty and on we went.
Now this part of the course was new territory for Jen. I had practiced this section alone during a couple of training sessions, so I knew the road. Yeah, I knew it alright - mostly unshaded.
Just some 3+ miles to go.
Somewhere around mile 23.5 Jen got quiet (we really had been quite chatty most of the walk). She seemed to be struggling and she said she didn't feel well. I encouraged her to continue to drink and eat as regularly as possible now. Only some 45 minutes or less to go. I had to find a way to keep her spirit up, as well as her body.
It was time for mind over matter. Our legs felt good. We still had a bit of ice. Sure our feet were hot and yes, I knew I had blisters coming on, but then the tents of the finish area came into view. I pointed them out to Jen, "You see those Jen? Those are the tent tops at the finish!" She took in the information. We rededicated our mental energies. She drank from her bottle and had an energy block. Ditto for me.
Onward.
A few sporadic runners came along in those last two miles. I hate to say it, but it did us good to note that they were not having an easy time of it either. NOTE: Those runners we were seeing at this point were closing in on a 4 and a 1/2 hour finish time. Pretty darn good in the heated conditions!
We approached the horse barn and oval that is the turn around point in the annual Komen VT Race for the Cure 5K. I knew there was only 1.55 miles to go.
Onward. One step at a time.
The sign for Mile 25! Jen, Jen- we are so close! A little more than a mile to go.
More drink. Another energy chew.
I know this section of River Road like the back of my hand. Jen asked me how our time was. I said it was just fine. This race was about finishing. Not about time (okay, sure I had a goal in mind, but the heat had taken that goal and pushed it aside).
Onward.
And suddenly there it was the Mile 26 sign! Volunteers with pom-poms were in sight. Only .2 of a mile to go! Smiling faces of friends and family came into view as we turned onto the grounds of Hildene Meadows. My daughter Sarah, with her camera. Patty. Others ladies from the training group. The timing clock. I added 2 hours and kept walking towards the clock and the Finish.
In view, husband David at the far side of the finish line!
"Jen, take my hand. Smile Jen. We're here!"
Under the banner. Touch the finish timing pad. 6:36:24 It's done!
"Jen, we did it!"
In a blur we were given wonderfully wet race tee-shirts to drape around our necks, along with ceramic finishers' medals.
Jen went to her sister and daughter.
I went to my David.
I didn't think it would happen, but the tears came. Tears that came with the knowledge of achievement and amazement. Tears of love for the man who has supported me through all the training and shared me, so many afternoons after school and weekend after weekend, with the women of the training group - shared me with the road.
Thank you David for all that love and support!
Jen and I had spoken briefly on the road about whether crying at the end of the race was "allowed". I had said of course, never thinking that I would be the first of the two of us to do so.
We separated from our family members and found one another for our own hug. We shared the moment - taking in the wonder of the marathon accomplishment.
And then there was my Sarah. Another hug. More tears.
Next it was Patty. Another hug and more tears.
My dear friend Claire too.
They were all here to share the moment.
This moment was about so much more than a medal!
Thank you to everyone who inspired me to register for a marathon - who inspired me to train. Mandy - I know it was you that said, "Never say never Linda!"
Thank you to everyone who said, "Yes you can." or "You can do it.".
Thank you to Lynn, simply a fantastic trainer and cheerleader, who believes in all of us every day, and helps us realize our goals.
Thank you to all the women of the training group - you never made me feel any less of an athlete being a walker attempting a marathon.
Thank you to my sister Janet who championed me from afar. By phone and by text. During training sessions (especially those 20-mile ones that I did alone) and then yesterday on race day saying, "Cow bell! Cow bell! I am cheering you on!"
Thanks to my daughter Kate who took my calls during long training sessions and just let me talk for a while even if she was not really awake at 10 AM!I loved hearing your voice while on course!!
Thank you to all who have listened to me - whether in person, here or on Facebook - go on and on about walking and miles, and well, you know!
AND thank you to Jen - for signing up for a marathon because one day last Fall I said to you, "How would you like to walk a marathon with me?" I don't know that you really knew what you were in for, especially since your previous longest race distance had been a 10K, but you were amazing! You let me push you, mentally, up those hills and along those stretches. But just remember you did it yourself in the end. Physically and mentally!
And Jen, remember our little talk we had today on May 21, 2012. ; )
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 is a day I am going to remember for a long, long time - for many reasons. The medal is hanging up with the others and the bib is doing the same.
Wow - I completed a marathon!