Country Music Marathon

Ronnie and I got up Saturday at 3:00. I tried to eat some oatmeal and an apple but was still so full from Friday night’s pasta pig out that I couldn’t eat more then few bites. I also tried to eat some energy bar samples that I got at the Birmingham expo in February, but they were gross.
We were on the road headed to Nashville by 4. We saw lightening as soon as we backed out of the garage and we weren’t far down the road before the rain started. GREAT!!!
We made it to within 0.7 miles of the race and then traffic was at a stand still. It took us another 55 minutes to go that final 0.7 miles. We finally got parked and in line for the shuttle.
We met up with David and Amy at the park.
I put on my shoes and trash bag, dropped my gear check bag at the UPS truck, and peed behind a bush. I turned on my Garmin only to get a “Low Battery” warning. I hoped that it would last for the entire race.
David and I said bye to Amy and Ronnie as they went off to their corrals and we went to ours.
They started the Elite athletes and 12 minutes and 35 seconds later, they started us.
David and I were at the front of our corral, so there wasn’t any bobbing and weaving. We did start out a little fast but quickly realized it and adjusted our speed. We made it to mile one in 9:08. A little fast for this early. We adjusted some more and ran mile 2 in 9:22. Then my Garmin died!!! David kept us in check though. It was really hard for me not to be able to keep an eye on my pace and I am sure I drove David crazy asking him ”How we doing on pace?”.
I was feeling great.
I had run this marathon as my first in 2006, but didn’t remember much of the course. David, on the other hand, knew exactly what was coming and kept me abreast of what laid ahead.
One of the things I like about this race is the way it has loops. You meet runners going the other direction several times. I got dizzy scanning the crowds looking for people I knew. We did see Ronnie and Amy once.
We walked the water stops to drink and took our Gu every 5-6 miles. I stayed away from a Accelerade.
I heard someone yell my name then David’s. It was Brent and Rae.
Jill came up from behind us and ran with us for about half a mile before she dropped back.
We made it to the levee, I remembered how I felt at that point in 06 and was surprised how great I still felt. I could tell David was starting to struggle because he wasn’t talking much.
We ran off the levee and around past the convent. The nuns were out cheering and they had ”holy water” at their water stop. We got a drink of that.
We continued running and then David told me I was going to have to go on without him.
Now I was running naked. I had to check the clocks at every mile marker, add 12, and check my pace band to make sure I was still on track.
I saw Lana’s dad at mile 20 and could not think of his name, I was like “Hi, Mr. ummmmm”. My brain was not functioning and all the math every mile was as much as I could handle. Lana cheered and asked if I needed anything. I told her I was fine and kept on going. It was really boost to have them cheer for me.
I saw Rae and Brent again still cheering. Another boost.
My mouth was starting to get dry and I didn’t want to drink too much and just have it slosh in my stomach, so I chewed a piece of gum. That did the trick.
I entered the park for the final loop. I remembered this part of the course from last time, I was in SERIOUS pain that time. I was hurting this time but knew I was on track and that kept me running. I saw Holly J and Heather right at the 23 marker and was talking to them so missed the clock. I hated missing the chance to check my pace.
I made it to mile 24 and think I must have done the math wrong because I thought I was behind and not going to make it. I was disappointed. I tried to pick up the pace but just didn’t have anything left.
I saw Lana and Holly entering the park as I was leaving. Then I saw David and he yelled 3:45. It took my brain a minute to realize first what he was telling me and then to compute that I was still on track.
I made it to mile 25, did the math and knew I was still on track. I wanted to walk so bad. My legs HURT but I knew I didn’t have enough of a cushion to allow even a brief break. I didn’t even stop for water at the last two stops because I was afraid if I slowed down I would never get moving again.
I was down to my last mile. The crowd was cheering “Just around the bend is the finish chute”.
I made the turn and could see the clock. I knew I needed a 4:12:35 for a sub 4.
I pushed with everything I had left and crossed the line with the clock reading 4:10:something. I cried. I found out later that my offical time was 3:57:36.
I got a bottle of water and called Ronnie. He had just missed me crossing. I got my metal and kissed it. Got a space blanket and went to have my chip removed. I couldn’t even lift my foot.
I got my picture made and got some food. I wasn’t hungry but tried to eat something.
I saw Heather sitting at the “No re-entry” point. She went sub 4 too.
I left the finishers area and found Ronnie, Amy and Mary Beth. All had great halfs.
Mary Beth, Amy and me
Ronnie, me, Mary Beth and Amy
We found the free beer tent and got our dixie cup of beer, then sent Ronnie to buy a real cup of beer.
We enjoyed some beer, music, and sun shine. We saw Lana (who had a great half as Brain), Lisa, and Holly. Holly had some stomach issues on the course but still rocked out a great first marathon.
We couldn’t stay for long since we had to get home and pick up the kids.
I am so happy to have that monkey off my back. And to do it at “home” and on the same course as my first made it even sweeter.
When I called my dad with the news, he was happy for me and said "Now all you have to do is finish that Ironman and then you can be normal again”. LOL, I don’t know that I will ever be normal.