Sunday, January 10, 2016

Marathon Week (WW # 23)



Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! 


This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your adventures. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!   {See complete rules}
 


Speaking of Tricia, look at the delightful gift she surprised me with.  We can now have our weekday morning virtual coffee dates while sipping out of our Weekly Wrap mugs.   Thank you, Tricia!





By the time this posts, I will have completed my first marathon -- hopefully upright and with my foot not scattered in pieces along Main Street, USA.   For those of you who've followed me for a while, you know I was supposed to run the Chicago Marathon in early October but developed a stress fracture in my foot just 2 weeks prior.  You graciously listened to me whine for a few weeks (make that months!) poured out an amazing amount of support, and followed as I went through some tedious alternative training to stay marathon ready.  {Pool running anyone?}

Monday I opted for my second alcohol injection to hopefully kill the nerves in my foot neuroma (the aftermath of the original injury).  Let me say...OUCH for those of you that have never had one.  My doc couldn't believe I didn't make a sound.  I prefer to suffer in silence, ma'am. 


My new Garmin 225 arrived Tuesday and I spent a few days trying to memorize the functions.  It is different from my old Garmin 110 which died after recording 666 activities.  When it kicked the bucket, the light was actually flashing and smoke filled the inside.  It was truly possessed, I think.


R.I.P. Garmin 110  --  You did an excellent job for 4 years!

I had already heard this, but now I know it's true -- Fitbit's service is second to none.  I reported my broken Fitbit on Tuesday.  They shipped me another with no questions asked, no receipt provided and no returning of the broken device.  You can't ask for anything more...except for it not to break this time.

This was an anxious week.  My left hip was cranky so I decided not to do much of anything but rest.  I did pedal on the bike trainer Thursday night for 30 minutes just to work up a sweat.  And, then I ran 2.5 miles Friday morning just to make sure I knew how to use my new Garmin.  Of course there was some walking Saturday at Disney.  From a stamina perspective, I felt ready after cycling and pool running for countless hours for weeks -- nay months -- on end.  But I also knew nothing replaces that time on your feet:  the conditioning of  those IT bands and those frustrating old lady hips.

I lined up exactly 15 weeks from the date of my injury with the goal to simply finish.  It was not the way I planned to run my first marathon.  Heck, it was supposed to be my second one.  I had no strategy, just to run slowly and take walk breaks if needed.  I wouldn't dwell on the circumstances leading up to this race.  I was confident there was nothing else I could have done to be any more ready.  I kicked alternate training's ass!  {Sorry kids.}   And hello...it's Disney for goodness sake.  How could I not have fun? 


I decided I would ENJOY,  I would FINISH, and I would CRY LIKE A BABY. 




UPDATE:  I finished!  I cried like a baby!  My official time was 5:07:12.  And I loved every single joyful, painful, blissful, excruciating, soul-searching, entertaining second.  More to come... 


And that's a wrap!

Does anyone else get emotional during a race?

91 comments:

  1. Congrats on your marathon. Can't wait to hear all about it !

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    1. Thanks. It was better than I could have ever imagined.

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  2. Congrats! I've been stalking your blog and IG all day, waiting for an update! I can't wait for the recap!

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    1. What sweet redemption, Wendy. A wonderful end to a very long ordeal.

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  3. I love your matching mugs!

    Congratulations on completing your first marathon, I'm looking forward to reading your recap of the race.

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    1. Tricia did good with the mugs! Thanks, I enjoyed every step.

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  4. Yay Holly!!! Super Congrats for finishing the marathon! You must be so elated! What an inspiration to anyone who has ever struggled through an injury.

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    1. I'm definitely a testament to the fact you don't just have to lay around and wait for healing. It's not the time I wanted for my first marathon, but 15 weeks ago I truly thought I may never run again.

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  5. Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you! I have enjoyed following you as you have worked through your injury. It has been very inspirational to me to help me get through mine! Do you like your Garmin? I want to get one really bad!!

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    1. Thanks! I do like the Garmin 225. I still need to change a few settings but it worked perfectly during the marathon and had plenty of battery life remaining.

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  6. Yay!!!!!!! I am beyond thrilled for you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the experience and can't wait to hear the details. You should be so proud of yourself--you definitely earned that medal! I still think there's a special place reserved for you in heaven with all that pool running. Congratulations!!!!

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    1. Thank you Jennifer. Now I want to run one training the conventional way. I'm sending the pool watch back to Karen. It signifies the end of that.

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  7. Congrats!!! I did the Goofy Challenge two years ago and it was quite an experience. Cannot wait to read about yours.

    I also have the 225 and like it alot.

    I was very emotional the morning of the Chicago Marathon.

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    1. I can't imagine doing the Goofy Challenge. I was very emotional during the Chicago Marathon, but for an entirely different reason: a forced DNS. It was a very sad weekend, to say the least.

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  8. Yay yay yay! Congrats! I am so stoked to hear about it!!!!!

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    1. Thanks. It ended up being a truly wonderful experience.

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  9. YAY!!! I always always always get emotional during a race!!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's a given in a half marathon and now a marathon too.

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  10. Congrats!! I can't wait to hear more about it! And those mugs are amazing!!

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    1. The mugs were such a sweet surprise from Tricia. The race was fantastic!

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  11. Congrats on your marathon! Cannot wait to hear all about it!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm trying to remember everything. There is so much to soak in!

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  12. CONGRATS ON YOUR MARATHON! How can you not get emotional during a marathon? It's an amazing thing that changes the way you view yourself and your abilities forever. Enjoy your celebration and recovery!

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    1. It truly was an amazing experience. The recovery hasn't been bad at all. I think walking around at Disney for a couple of days helped.

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  13. Congrats on finishing your first marathon! It's an experience like no other! I definitely get very emotional during races. All the feels! Enjoy some rest and recovery!

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    1. All the feels are so amplified! Every little thought seems monumental. I wish I could remember every detail.

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  14. Yay Holly! I am getting choked up just reading this and seeing your triumphant face. It's been one helluva journey but redemption is sweet. Congrats my friends. Cannot wait for the rest of the story!

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    1. It definitely felt sweet Marcia. To think that 15 weeks ago I was hobbled by a fracture is truly hard to comprehend now. Bodies heal.

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  15. Woohoo! Congrats on your marathon!! I can't wait to read your post about it!

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. It was wonderful. Of course I want to do another.

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  16. Yay!! Congrats on your first marathon! I can't wait to hear more about your experience!

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. It was amazing. Looking back, it's hard to believe I went through all of that to get there.

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  17. Woohoo! I can't wait to hear more. And yikes on the smoking Garmin - you wore it out for sure.

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    1. I put that Garmin through heck, including a few pool plunges. I can't complain. It gave me an excuse to get a new one with wrist heart rate monitoring too.

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  18. congrats!!!! You did it! and did it well it sounds like! I love Fitbit service too, they are the best! Sorry I missed you Friday night - it would have been super fun to have met you at the same time with Tricia, it was such a treat! I can't wait to hear more about the race adventure!

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    1. I was so bummed to miss you! But it worked better for us to arrive Friday night instead of Thursday. And what a late arrival it was!

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  19. Love the mugs, and congrats on the race! Hope you have an injury-free 2016!

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    1. Yes! My biggest wish for 2016 is to stay injury free. I may opt for quality over quantity this year.

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  20. Ah, I love your mugs! Congrats on your marathon!!!! I hope it went well and can't wait to hear about it :)

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    1. The mugs were a perfect gift. It was better than I ever thought possible after my injury. It was truly an amazing experience.

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  21. Yay! Can't wait to read all about it.

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  22. Congrats on the marathon finish! I love that photo of you with the medal and big smile at the end :)

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    1. Thanks Chaitali. I think I smiled in my sleep that night!

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  23. Congrats! So happy for you. I cried like a baby when I ran a 5k 5 months after ankle surgery (my ortho said I may not be able to run again). I had just started walking & I ran a 5k. You get it, right?

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    1. I absolutely get it. Unless you've been through a significant injury, you can't understand. 15 weeks ago, running was a true uncertainty. I think you would enjoy the marathon...as many HMs as you've done.

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  24. congrats congrats!! you must be so proud. and you have a reason to be emotional! Can't wait to read the recap :):)

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    1. I was pretty proud of my body for carrying me through that race. I asked a lot of it and it responded.

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  25. CONGRATULATIONS on your Marathon!!!! So excited for you! :)

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    1. Thank you Rachel. It was an amazing experience. One I hope I get to repeat.

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  26. You & Trisha are killing me - I cant wait for details!! Been watching IG accounts all weekend & so excited for you!!!!
    CONGRATS!

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    1. I'm so happy she decided to do this crazy thing with me!

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  27. SO MANY CNGRATS on your FIRST marathon! That is awesome and a great first time! Woohoo PR! And about hip pain. I suffered from hip pain for almost a year until I finally found a chiropractor to adjust me once a year or so. Worked wonders!

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    1. Thank! I may have to try that! I've never been to a chiropractor. Thankfully, they were fine during the race.

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  28. Can't wait to read your recap. And I definitely get emotional during races. Sometimes it's something someone says to me, sometimes it's a song I hear playing. When I ran my first marathon my grandma had passed just 5 days prior & the whole route I saw little signs that reminded me of her, and was pretty much one big ball of tears.

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    1. It's usually music that gets to me. My brother died just prior to a half marathon and I was a complete mess at that one.

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  29. Yay!!!! Congrats and welcome to the club marathoner!! I can't wait to read all about it. I have the Garmin 225 and love it so far, hope you figured it out!!

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    1. Thanks Sue. The watch is easy to operate. I didn't have my average pace set for the race (just current pace) but I've gotten that switched over now.

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  30. Congratulations! Wow, 5:07 is an amazing time -- especially after a tough training cycle. I hope you had fun and I can't wait for a detailed recap.

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    1. It was definitely a ton of fun. And of course, I'm ready to do another and beat that time.

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  31. Congrats! I can't wait to read your recap. I am considering a Garmin upgrade as well. Glad to hear FB customer service has been stellar.

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    1. Jenny, the 225 has a wrist based HR monitor but didn't break the bank like some of their other models. I'm very happy with it.

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  32. Whooohooo! Congratulations!

    That cry was well deserved!

    Way to go! Sooo proud of you!

    Good job listening to your body and resting for the week.

    Can't wait for the recap.

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    1. Thank you Tamieka. After all the worry, everything worked out just fine.

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  33. Yay!! Congrats on finishing! I thought about you a lot yesterday as I watched pictures flood Facebook. :) I knew you could do it! I hope you had fun!

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    1. Disney never disappoints, even though this was the 3rd time at one of their races and I knew exactly what to expect. I can't imagine running 26.2 without all the entertainment and distractions.

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  34. I am sorry to hear about your foot :(. I am totally curious about the watch you got. I was thinking of getting that one.

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    1. My foot is so much better and feels great even after the marathon. I'm very encouraged at this point. I hope to kick this neuroma to the curb.

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  35. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on finishing Disney, HOHO!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!! I can't wait to hear about the race in further detail. Now it's time to celebrate and REST!!!!! You are a ROCK STAR!!!!!!

    I totally cried after finishing the Chicago Marathon. I was so emotional that the volunteers at the finish line even asked me if I was okay. =D

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    1. I appreciate that Emily. It's such a soul searching, dig deep experience. Until you run one, I don't think you get that. I'm guessing the volunteers were not runners!

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  36. Congratulations on your first marathon finish!!!
    So excited to hear more about it!
    Isn't Fitbit amazing, they did the same for me when mine broke. Such a great company!!!
    Love the mug picture, you two look amazing in it!!!
    Oh, ya I am emotional at races. More so around miles 22+ and then as I cross the finish. But I've had it happen a few times as I line up at the start too:)
    I think getting emotional, just shows how much we love the sport!!

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    1. That is exactly when I got the most emotional in this race! You realize how close you are, I think. And you know you are going to make it. I was perfectly fine at the finish line.

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  37. Congrats on finishing your first marathon! How exciting that you got to see Tricia and that she gave you a Weekly Wrap mug!

    When I ran my marathon PR I also met a big time goal that I had set for myself. After crossing the finish line almost a minute faster than that time, I cried like a baby.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. I'm definitely want to do another and train properly (without injury) for a better time. And, I'll cry again. Absolutely!

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  38. Super huge congrats on your first marathon!! I cried when I crossed the finish line on mine :) so far I am a one and done, mine was 4 years ago. I just like half marathons so much better!
    Love the matching weekly wrap mugs, what a fun gift!

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    1. The half has always been my favorite distance (36 of them) but I enjoyed the full enough to want to do another. The half isn't as tough on your body. As Moms, I think we can all appreciate the lesser training time too.

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  39. WE DID IT!! OMG we are marathoners I can hardly believe it! I got a little teary-eyed when I saw the Mile 24 sign. I pushed them away and figured I'd ball like a baby when I saw Greg, but by the time I found him, I was so glad to be done and just ready to get off my feet lol! It was a wonderful experience and unlike any other and I owe it all to you, my friend! Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to sign up!!! I'm so very glad you had a good race! I prayed for you while I walked and hoped you could run when I couldn't! We are going to have to make plans to meet up at several more races! Half's would be good though, lol! Enjoy the rest of your time at Disney!

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    1. I suspect after a period of time, you'll start thinking about another marathon. But it's perfectly OK if you decide not to. You have this one! Nobody can ever take that away. I'm so proud of you for finishing and doing this crazy thing with me. It means more than you'll ever know.

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  40. Congrats!! It is my favorite marathon and i cant wait to get back there-so magical
    and side note: I LOVE the mugs yall have-too cute! :)

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    1. Juliana you said it all...MAGIC. It definitely was that.

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  41. I can't wait to hear how the marathon went ;-) A huge CoNgRatS to you!! (I am still pathetically behind on all things blogging...so no WW linking this week....I did get all my Christmas decs down, though!)

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    1. HA. I'm working on those decorations today. Too much traveling after the holidays to attend to it. Now I have no more excuses.

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  42. I am so excited you finished with a smile at the Mickey marathon. It was a tough race day with heat and high humidity. Looking forward to reading your race recap and so sorry we never got a chance to meet. I think we were in the same corral.

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    1. I was so disappointed I didn't get to meet with you Saturday morning. It was just a comedy of errors at that point for me. I'm sorry you struggled during the race. I hope everything is OK.

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  43. So exciting!! I can't wait to read all about your Disney experience. A HUGE congratulations on your first full! There will be days where you think you cannot run a marathon, but there will be a lifetime of knowing you have :)

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    1. I LOVE that last sentence. What a great statement. Thanks Meagan!

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  44. Yes, Karen. It did up being a very good week although I was very unsure how it would play out. I can't believe how strong my body was until the last few miles. Amazing. I was slow but did not care at all. I appreciate all of your support!

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  45. Yay! Congratulations! I always get emotional after a big goal race. I can't tell you how many times I've broken into tears after a big race. It's cathartic for me I think. Looking forward to reading your race report! :)

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  46. Thank you! It's just such a relief and release of emotions that have been building for a period of time.

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  47. Congratulations! what an amazing accomplishment!!!

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