Runner Girl: Healthy, Happy, and Hungry: Richmond Marathon Recap

The week was a bag of mixed emotions. For a few days, I was certain I wasn't going to be able to run this weekend. I wallowed in my misery, lashed out at everyone, (how dare well-meaning people who were genuinely concerned about my health try to reason with me), and tried to bargain with God/life. "Just let me do the race and next week I can stay in the hospital". It really does sound crazy now, in hindsight.

Wednesday and Thursday I could barely get off of the couch. My side felt like I was being hit with a crowbar. I peed every 10-15 minutes. No matter how much I went, the sensation of needing to pee never ceased.

My physician said don't run. My mother begged me not to run (and she was so against it she decided not to go to Richmond). Friends said 'there will be other marathons'. I know that. But when you train for 5 months, follow the plan, eat the food, gain the weight, buy the gear, pay the high registration fee, book the hotel etc. it's more than difficult to digest. The thought of backing out broke my heart.

Thursday afternoon I was faced with the decision to cancel the hotel (save half my lodging money) or keep the room and pray for a miracle. I went with the latter. Hell, even in immense pain and (what felt like) a full bladder, I finished the last 3 mile run on my training plan Thursday evening. I nearly peed my pants, my back hurt, but my body wanted to run. Despite the UTI, I was in great running shape. My mind was made up- I was going.

I am so glad I did!

Found my name on the runner wall!

PR (personal record).

No, I didn't break 4 hours. I've had to let that sink in for the last 30ish hours. While I was running I told myself it was OK and that I just needed to finish/do my best. Of course now, I'm replaying every instance where I should've pushed myself harder.

4:08:06

That is 47 seconds off of my former PR. No, it's not huge, and you could say it's the 'same time', and therefore my fitness hasn't improved. I may be biased, but I strongly beg to differ. And here is why.

Reason One - ever had a UTI?

If you have you understand. If you haven't, you are lucky. For 4 + hours I had to pee. I ran until the sensation went away (which scared me when it did around mile 16-17). At mile 2 I thought I would pee my pants. I held it until mile 4, where I tried to use the porta potty as fast as humanly possible (there was a line). At mile 10 I broke down once again and had to veer off the course to use the porta potty. At mile 12 I vowed I would just pee my pants if I had too (I never did, thankfully). But it really really sucked.

Reason Two - I never hit the wall

Last time I ran Richmond I hit the 'wall' hard, at mile 19. I thought I would die, literally. This time, although running was never easy, I never shut down. I never despaired and thought I wouldn't finish. I got excited at mile 20 when I realized I only had a 10K left. I have NEVER thought that during a ,marathon. At miles 21-23 I was making odd faces at the photographers and high fiving anyone who got in my way... I really felt good.

Mile 22 baby!

Reason Three - I know how to fuel/hydrate better

This was partly due to my infection, but I power walked through every single water station to hydrate. I never stopped to smell the flowers, but every two miles I made sure to veer left or right to get a cup of power aid. At miles 16 and 22 they were giving out shots of coca cola and root beer. OMG that was awesome. I also had 7 packets of honey in my belt (I wish I had had more in hindsight). At mile 7 I began eating the honey packets. Every single time I did I felt like I could hear angels singing; I instantly got energy and felt 100% better. The first time I ran Richmond I didn't eat anything, and it was apparent by how I felt afterwards.

Reason Four - I can count on one hand how many times I walked

If you want a good time you've really gotta limit the walking. I walked 4 times. Between miles 17-18 I thought I felt kidney pain. I had told Joel, my mom, my doctor, Facebook, etc. that if I felt a sharp stabbing pain there I would leave the course. That could indicate my kidneys were shutting down. I stopped to walk to assess if it was kidney pain, or if it was just upper back pain from marathon wear and tare. I saw someone with a sign that read "18 miles = 69% done". Wow, I was already more than 2/3 done...any damage was already done... I may as well continue. So I did. And it was just marathon pains, anyway.

There was a massive hill right after the mile 19 marker. I forgot about that from before. I decided to walk that bad boy while refueling on honey.

At mile 23 they were giving out wash cloths. I was covered in my sweat salt, so that was nice. I decided to walk to the 10 mile half marathon marker (.10 miles) while wiping off, which meant I would have a 5k left to run.

I don't know why I did this. I walked after passing the mile 25 marker. I'm kicking myself now. It was a long walk, too. I realized I had missed my goal, and I just felt mentally defeated. But the crowd, music, and other racers cheering me on got me motivated to start up again. I'm glad I did.

Reason Five - my pacing was better

I had signed up for wave 2 (3:31 -3:59 pace group). But, race morning I was feeling less than confident. I hung about a hundred yards back from the four hour pacer. I told myself I would reassess, and if I felt good I would pass the 4 hour group later.

Miles 1 and 2 were very slow, and I constantly had to remind myself to 'hold back'. I wanted to run my normal 8:30ish pace, but I hovered around an 8:50.

Between miles 8-9 I passed the four hour pacers, but when I took a bathroom break at mile 10 I lost them. I then sprinted (big no no) to catch them again. From miles 10-13 I stayed neck and neck with them (literally right next to them). I'm sure they found my 'leap frogging' annoying. When I saw the 13.1 mile marker I sprinted ahead to come in under 2 hours. Now all I had to do was maintain my distance from them and keep this pace...

At mile 16 I went to grab soda from the junk food stop; when I turned around the 4 hour pacers were right behind me. And they passed me. And I didn't have the energy to sprint up and catch them again.

But, I only had 2 miles that were over 10 minutes. My fastest mile was an 8:39 (except for the partial part of mile 27, which was 8:18). That shows I have come a long way with maintaining a steady pace.

What Now

Just imagine if I hadn't had an infection. If I hadn't walked. If I didn't stop to pee. Would I have broken 4 hours? I don't know. Am I gonna try again? Fuck yes. Even with the obstacles I still got a PR, even if it wasn't by much.

I didn't feel miserable when I finished. I walked around, got some power aid, ate a piece of pizza. I never felt really bad, which makes me so happy my eyes get watery. All I can think about today is WHEN can I do this again? This marathon renewed my love of running. Running is one of the best things in my life.

I just finished my first marathon where I didn't fall apart. That's gotta count for something!!!

After the race Joel and I walked around Richmond. We checked out 7 Hills Brewing, and got more pizza at Bottoms Up.

My legs are a bit achy today. I've got chaffing under my arm that looks like a skin disease (and it was/is the most painful thing about this marathon experience). My stomach is a bottomless pit (diet starts tomorrow). But all of these side affects will quickly disappear. However, I did get one souvenir that won't ;-)

"The hand you hold
is the hand that holds you down"

Just because I must really enjoy pain, I got my first tattoo in over 12 years a few hours after the race. It didn't really hurt though; it was actually kind of relaxing. I highly recommend East End Demographics if you're looking for a friendly tattoo shop.

This quote has stuck with me since I was in middle school. Don't look to someone else for approval or let someone else influence your decisions (I wish I actually listened to this quote when I was a preteen/ teenager). Do things your own way. It was the perfect time to get this done.

Next Up - ROANOKE!!!

Alright everyone. Time to step up my ambassador game. Please remember to use the code BRMFRIENDS if you sign up for any of the races in Roanoke (10K, Half, or Full marathon). Training starts in roughly 7 weeks, so stay tuned for my give-aways, additional codes, and more information.