She's going the distance, she's going for speed....

Mile 8

Random facts I learned about marathons-

1. People pee. Everywhere. You cannot start a marathon with an "I gotta pee" feeling. There were just not enough portapotties on Saturday morning in Middle TN to satisfy runners who had that feeling. I would fall into the unsatisfied category. I confess. I was one of those who waited in a line to pee behind a fast food joint dumpster. I peed, therefore I ran.

2. Spectators make the sport. Every single adorable kid, screaming cheerleader, cute dog, and cheering person holding a sign on the sideline, sitting in the grass, or passing out orange slices and Accelerade make you smile through any pain. And yes, there is pain.

3. Toenails are for sissies. Please, if you ever start running, listen to me. I didn't understand at first. If you do not keep your little tootsies trimmed very short, there will be pain. I will not go into further bloody detail.

4. There are 70 year old women in better shape than me. Inspiring? Yes. Humbling? Yes. Motivating? Dang skippie. She passed me once. I did not let it happen again.

5. You get very, very, insanely hungry. For days. Today is still one of those days.

6. You also get very emotional. Well, at least I did so I like to think that I'm not the only one. Ok, so I'm just a crier. I could have cried when I finished. I cried because it was over. I cried because I did it. Yeah..........I'm a crier.

Official finish time was 2:30:47. I was pretty excited about that, since I told myself the goal for my first time half was 2:45! I have never been a runner. Despised running would probably best describe me 6 months ago. So I wasn't really going for speed when I started training, and I never wore a watch or timed myself, I just enjoyed it. I just wanted endurance. Next time, I think I'll go for speed and see what I can do. Next time, I think I'll also run for a cure.

Ben was the best supporter in the whole world on Saturday too. He stood with me and kept me company in the wet and cold the whole time I waited for my corral to get to the start line, he met me at mile 2 and mile 8 cheering me on, he carried all my gear so I wouldn't have to fight the crowds at the bag pick up to get my flip flops, and I think he probably did a 5K all on his own that day running around town and to the finish line to meet me. And he bought me the best bowl of Pad Thai after the race so I could feed my face. Here I am at mile 2: I know. I look like I have a glowworm on my hat:
Our friends the Teagues were at the finish line and celebrated with us at lunch. Molly was so excited she passed out in her sling. (And I guess the thumb's up was the hand sign of the day.)

I'm not really sure what I did right, but I wasn't tired, I wasn't sore, and I wasn't achy at all on Sunday. That was a huge blessing, and I was exhilarated. I am so thankful for that I can't even put it into words. Maybe that's what caused me to go a little insane on Sunday and utter the sentence "I think I may wanna train for a full!!".

HUH?!?!?!