A new beginning.

I'm too tired to write up a full race report. I'll do that in the next few days.
However, fresh off my mind...

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed that I didn't get in under 3:15:59. I've been training towards that goal for 7 months straight, but technically, for 15 months, as I trained for that same time last fall.

But, honestly I'm satisfied with my time. I started to fade hard around Mile 19, just as we approached the mile and a half of hills before that last 5 miles of fast downhill to the finish. I just didn't have the legs for it. As you see in the tracking reports, I was running just fine up until then. Maybe I went out too fast? However, it's a marathon. it's supposed to be tough, and believe me, it IS tough. Marathons ARE HARD.

However, I ran a 3 hour and 21 minute marathon. I was in the TOP 7%. Are you kidding me? I would never have dreamt 2.5 years ago when I started my running life and training for a 1/2 marathon, that I would be a top 7 percenter in a FULL!!

I've learned a ton out of this experience, and I think I know what I need to do to have the legs to finish strong next time I race a marathon. After all, there's a big difference running a marathon to finish, and running a marathon as fast as you possibly can.

I'm thankful and humbled. I'm thankful and deeply humbled for the incredible friend and family support via email, via text messages, phone calls not only leading up to the race, but today as well. I thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of support.

Larry and Erin were amazing as well. They sacrificed their weekends to join me up there, and were incredible.
Erin was at 8 places during the race! She was a ray of sunlight in what turned into a tough day.

Larry was a rock, and if I can ever be half the runner he is, I'll get my day in Boston. He was incredible. I'm disappointed I couldn't perform better, somewhat because of the effort he put in for the 2 hours and 10 minutes he ran with me. I think when I finally told him I was going to faint if I continued running the pace we were keeping, he understood I wasn't kidding when I said I was tired! ; )

Any way, I'm happy with my performance today. This ends a long long span of 28 months of non-stop training of which 32 long weeks of hard marathon training, (Normal is 24 weeks) and I think mentally, that will wear you down. I think those of you who have been reading this blog, may have seen this coming.

I'm also happy that today ends my slavery to training and a new life begins again. Once I got home and, as I threw my clothes in the washer, unpacked other stuff, and then sat down on my couch, I felt at peace. It was a new feeling of liberty I haven't felt in so long, it feels like new. Finally liberated from hard training, and it felt great.

My legs are tired, my hamstrings are sore, and my muscles will welcome Lisa's magical hands on Thursday, but I actually already look forward to running again. Maybe as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Yep, I really do. The idea of running the greenbelt trails, joining up with performance project, running 7 to 10 miles on Mondays before work, and joining friends on their Saturday runs really sounds like fun today. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but the idea of doing all these with my stopwatch left behind in the car sounds magical. I can't wait to run for the joy and fun of running. I can't wait to learn how that feels! I really think it'll help my running grow.

What's next? Some fun 5k's, a 1/2 marathon or two, and maybe even one or two full marathons, but all for the pleasure of finishing them, and not racing. (well, maybe not the 5k's. Those I'll probably race!)

However, I already know the next Marathon I will Race. It's called "The St George Marathon", and it's next October. Training for it starts in May, so 6 full months away! A long 6 months of running fun.

Who's with me!? (To get to St George, you fly in and out of Las Vegas, and drive a couple of hours over to St George Utah!)