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As I write this,
it's just over 24 hours since I crossed the finish line, and an
understanding of what it means to have run a marathon is beginning to
emerge. Here are my initial impressions:
- It's more
painful than any other experience to date, including getting thrown
from a horse onto a fallen tree (i.e. I'll be enjoying this
accomplishment for a while!),
- I already knew
I
was blessed with uncommon grit and determination so it wasn't really
necessary to further confirm this knowledge,
- Tom's expertise
was critical to survival (only one blister!),
- Sharing this
experience with Tom was more valuable than the experience itself,
- And I
appreciate
my family's support despite their feeling that this had clearly
crossed the line of sanity! Thanks Dad ("Chief Planning
Officer"), Tom ("Chief Race Officer"), Ted ("Chief Transportation
Officer"), and Mom, who was in California praying the whole time.
Link to the map and
elevation chart:
http://www.crisny.org/users/hmrrc/mhrm.jpg
Uncle Tom and Allison on our way to the Macaroni Grill to
feast.
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Planning the "mission."
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The secret: 2 cans of Ensure Plus, spray Air
Zoin on the feet, Skin Lube on the heel and ball of the foot, talcum
powder between the sock and the shoe, and Body Glide elsewhere to
prevent chafing. (It's 5am, by the way!)
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The start...I'm jumping to stay warm.
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About 5K into the experience...
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Following Tom to learn his technique.
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The trees were gorgeous.
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My Jetta and our "pit crew" popped up 5 or 6 times
throughout the course. We were never short of water or Gatorade.
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Tom scarfing an orange at mile 21.
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I'm still smiling at mile 21, but I hit the wall 50 yards
later. I didn't even hear Dad calling my name as I tried to open and
inhale my Power Gel (below).
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Tom powering up the last hill.
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I'm feeling great now!
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Gotta have the "hardware" :)
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Tom and I finished 6 minutes apart.
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Still smiling...what an experience!
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Massage face!
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They had a rough day, too, trying to calculate mph to meet
us, navigate closed roads, and get coffee! I threw them a
curve and picked up speed the last 5 mi.
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Only one blister, thanks to Tom's formula for
survival. That particular toe was a lost cause anyway.
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The morning after ;) But finally, a night of sleep
with no dreams!
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Sure I can walk...
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The infamous mile 21 Power Gel...110 calories a pop, with
25 mg of caffeine. I was so gone I couldn't figure out how to
open the dumb thing. I finally just ripped into it and struggled
to squeeze the goo into my mouth. Then you chug 6-8 oz of water
and keep going.
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