So, I ran a marathon

I ran a marathon a little over a week ago. AAAAAAAND... I am still pretty jazzed about it.

The course

Running a marathon is one of those things... you know? I have only been able to be dropping the bombshell that I ran one for like nine days... but the effect isn't getting old. I like casually bringing it up in conversations with people, because, well, then they are OBLIGATED to think I am amazing and want to coo and fuss all over me and ask me how did I possibly do it and can I please touch them so some of my awesomeness transfers to them and the ilk (ok, maybe not entirely, but some people are mildly impressed with my mad skills and endurance). I am always really cool about it, like oh, it was, you know, not a major deal. And then of course I launch into all of the details and since there is nothing I like more than talking about myself... it is pretty much the best thing ever.

But let's be real, I did actually work for the claim to fame (not really - my "training" was kind of a farce - but I had to limp around for days afterward in FLATS! Flats, are not my thing and I was resigned to them for almost a week! So, I have paid my dues!) so maybe, just maybe, one more time, everyone will tolerate me sharing the details?

Here we go:

I signed up early in the year because well, basically because not many people thought I could run a marathon. I am someone who likes to think I get exercise speed shopping two days a week. Or running to catch my train (I am always late). I don't actually exercise. I do really like to run, it has always been a way to clear my head, and calm myself... but I am just not a gym goer. So, announcing my impending marathon feat was kind of like saying I was going to give up shopping - hah ya right! After signing up, the next step was that I made sure to talk about my marathon and my training plans a lot. A LOT. On my blogs, on Facebook, to everyone and anyone. Now I was locked in. I like to psych myself into doing things. I then ran casually for a few months. Sometimes outside, sometimes at the gym. Gradually building up mileage and endurance but doing no other working out, strength training, etc. Minimal gym time and effort was my goal. About two months out I started to have some injuries due to strain from running so much and my previously broken hip still acting up. My enthusiasm petered out, "due to my injuries" and honestly, I hardly ran the last two months before the big day.

6 am waiting in my corral at the starting line. Stunning photo of me.

One the day of the marathon I went to the starting line with: two bunions that need surgery, two cysts on my right foot, runners knee and an IT band strain, a twisted pelvis and piriformis syndrome (all of those are interconnected), two herniated discs in my lower back, a sprained shoulder and a half healed black eye. I am still not totally sure how my beat up body crossed the finish line. (but I did! see video proof below)

The beginning of the marathon was great. I was running alone, I was excited and I zipped past all sorts of groupings of run/walkers. Being alone was great as I could weave in and out and blow by all the groupings of people. I got a bit ambitious and started out a bit too hot. I killed the first 8 miles at a pace of 7 or sub 7 minute miles. I made it to the halfway point for me, and the point where the half marathoners separated from the marathon course to finish their race in an hour and 40ish minutes and still felt great. Then things took a sharp turn. A significant portion of the entrants were doing the half marathon and once I split onto the marathon only portion it got a little lonely on the course. I was no longer zipping by people (my pace had slowed and there was less casually runners). I was also now in Golden Gate Park and it was freezing. I was proud of BEING HALFWAY DONE (yaaaay!) but also really discouraged at having to basically "redo" everything I had already done. I kept going until I got to around mile 17. I stopped to use a portapotty (don't even get me started on all the ways this marathon was not me! TENNIS SHOES (barf), sweaty hair, drinking electrolyte drinks, Gu (double barf), portapotties etc) and my life kind of fell apart. In literally the 30 seconds I had stopped running to pee as fast as humanly possible and get out of the portapotty my knee completely locked up. I broke my hip a few years ago and it has never been quite the same. I struggle with a lot of side issues stemming from that problem, including a ridiculously tight and irritable IT band - which then causes a lot of knee pain - especially when running. Being a complete moron I thought I would walk a bit (fast walk mind you) to rest my knee/loosen it up/regain some positive thinking and then continue on my merry way. I now realize, anyone could have told me that was a bad idea. Walking didn't rest my knee, it just gave me a slow luxurious pace to think about how much further I had to go... 9 MILES STILL! And how sore my knee was. And how I hated myself for signing up for this. And wait, what was that, was my knee getting more stiff? And why is everyone else still so chipper. DAMN THEM! And how am I ever going to finish this? Who goes 20 miles and then quits? But can I really make another 6.2 miles???? Around mile 20 my sportsmanship totally went out the window and I am sure words were said that were not polite for mixed company. Nonetheless, I finished the thing. Not to say that the end splits were great time wise, or that I was the happiest finisher. But I did it.

Finish line. This great Englishman woke up early and walked me to the start, and then waited and waited and waited while I struggled those last 9 miles. And then was still willing to pose next to me like I didn't reek. Oh, and he's pretty handsome too!

And I am pretty proud of myself. And if you REALLY want to push me I guess I can admit I have learned my lesson about not training seriously, or making it a priority to actually go to my doctor appointments. And am sufficiently chagrined. I have now signed up to run the LA marathon in March of 2013, and the SF marathon in June. And hopefully they will "end" a bit better, since I am clearly going to change my habits right?

Supposedly the best thing about the SF Nike Women's Marathon is getting a Tiffany finisher's necklace from a hot fireman in a tuxedo. I got my necklace, haven't worn it, probably won't. And I don't even remember seeing the firemen. I was really focused on the "sandwich" I made out of a half a bagel and a Luna bar. Yes, I unwrapped the Luna bar and put it on top of a half bagel and was biting into both at the same time (see above picture from the finish line - look carefully, I am eating both). Things happen when you run marathons. They make you someone you don't even recognize.

Oh, and SF I love you. The course we ran was beautiful. When I was noticing it that is. I spent a lot of time being proud of myself (first half) and then hating the world (second half)!