I'm feeling a little better about it now, but I still don't really feel like rehashing it. Bottom line, it was a rough day for me.
Here's how the weekend went-
The day before:
After a long drive to Portland, we checked into the hotel and headed to the expo. I was able to get my bib and a shirt but that's about it. Pnut and Little Dude were INSANE. I said hello to Lindsay and Julie then went back to the hotel. Note to self-NEVER take the kids to the expo.
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| Don't they look thrilled? |
We went back to the hotel and I was asleep by 8:00. I think I got the best sleep I've ever had the night before a race.
Race day:
Since I fell asleep at 8:00, I was up pretty early. Unfortunately the kids were also up early. I was trying to get ready while trying to get the hotel wifi to work on the ipad so Little Dude could play a game, and trying to get Pnut some breakfast. None of this was easy at 4:30am, but I got dressed, and the kids were happy. I headed out to meet Lindsay, Kerry, Julie and Megan.
Once I found everyone we headed to our corrals. Julie and I were in the same one, which was nice. We hung out, hit the porta-potty, and took a bunch of pictures.
I felt totally ready. I was excited and confident. Brian sent me a text letting me know where he and the kids were. It was awesome to see them!!
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| I think I was blowing them a kiss |
Julie and I ran together for awhile.
I was feeling good and ran ahead for a bit, then she would catch up, then I'd run ahead....This happened a few times. Around mile 7 (I think) I had this horrible idea to try and catch the 5:00 pace group. This was also the time that it was getting really hot and sunny, and there was no shade. Did I mention I didn't run with a water bottle? I didn't, and I was thirsty. I'm sure the aid stations were not that far apart, but at mile 9, I thought they were 10 miles apart. Around this time Julie caught up with me. We chatted for a couple minutes and that was the last time I saw her. (ps-she did awesome!!)
I finally got to the next aid station and thought I could get myself together. I was only 9-10 miles in. I knew there was time for me to pull myself together and still have a good race. I stopped, tried to pee, got some water, electrolytes, and pretzels. I took my time and thought that I was ok. I ran around the corner and saw Brian and the kids again. I got some hugs, and picked up a rock for Little Dude that was on the course. I felt like that was the boost I needed.
I was wrong. About 1/4 mile from there I fell apart again. I was so thirsty. Around mile 13 I sent Erika a text that I was fading. You know things aren't going as planned when you're sending texts during a race. From here on, things were just painful. I started getting stomach and leg cramps. My mouth was so dry I couldn't swallow. I had a headache. I ran occasionally but I mostly walked.
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| Trying to keep it together for the camera |
At mile 24 I started to wonder if I was going to die. I seriously thought I might die. I was dizzy and so crampy. But 2 miles from the finish....what are you going to do? Who quits that close to the finish? So I kept going. I forced myself to run the last 1/2 mile. I saw Megan and her family. It was awesome. I knew the finish was so close. Then I saw Brian and the kids. Lindsay and Kerry were with them. I remember seeing Lindsay but I was so out of it, I didn't see Kerry. I remember giving Brian a hug and just crying. Someone said "Go! You have to keep running." So I took off to the finish line.
Crossing the finish line was a little anti-climactic. I felt like my finish like was seeing my family. I knew then I had made it. I got my medal and ate some Cheetos. I can't remember the last time I had Cheetos, but they were good. I don't have a picture with the medal because I couldn't put it on. I didn't want anything touching me.
We walked back to the hotel. I took an ice bath, took a nap, had some dinner and passed out.
The next morning we had donuts!
