Marathon #2...Finally!

"Where is that damn finish line" were the thoughts going through my head as I was finishing up the last mile of the marathon. I could hear the announcer and the bike path in the park along the beautiful Lake Champlain was starting to be more dense with people cheering you on but I couldn't see the finish sign. The path twisted and turned and I finally saw it...I finished in 5:40:39. However, this isn't where the story begins.

For a few weeks I was watching the weather. Like all runners preparing for a race, we become obsessed with the weather will it be hot, cold, dry or wet? However, on the day of the race other runners and I laughed at the fact that it can change every minute not just every day and it is out of our control. For days the weather was predicting to be an overcast day, high in the 60s and a chance of rain later in the day. Sounds like a perfect run day! As we got closer to start time that all changed...there was a 10% chance of rain (there was no rain), sunny (no clouds) and in the high 70s. This made it tough...not the hottest day for a marathon but after a cold winter and spring it was tough for the first hot run.

I followed my coaches race day schedule; easy workouts a few days before the race, pancakes for breakfast the day before and the alarm set for 4 AM, three hours before start time. I was lucky that the last two nights prior to the race, I slept really well. I felt good physically and I was ready...emotionally I was getting nervous.

This was not my first marathon, it was actually my second. My first was done in October of 2005. I had joined Team In Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and trained for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. The race on Sunday was almost 12 years in the making. I often referred to that marathon in San Francisco as my "first" marathon because I knew someday I would do a second. I just needed to find the right time to dot it and I was ready! My first marathon time was 6:04:14 and I wanted to beat that.

I thought about running with the 5:30 pace group and was actually standing near them at the start line but decided against it. I didn't want the anxiety of having to stay with the pace group so I walked away from them. I learned my lesson from my half in Rochester. I tried so hard to stay with the pace group there and it didn't go well. I did end up PRing that race but felt like I went out way too fast. I am happy with my decision because when the race started I watched the group leave and they seemed to go out way too quickly. I lost sight of them but based on my time in the first 10 miles I should have been with them or ahead of them. I did catch the group around mile 13 and stayed with them for about 5 miles. I lost the group again at mile 18 but I know that I passed a number of runners who started with the pace group. I ended up finishing the race 10 minutes slower than I wanted to but I was happy. I did PR the race by 24 minutes and looking at my times per mile I kept a consistent pace until the last six miles. I held less than a 13 minute mile the entire course...the longest mile was 12:55 and that was at the end. By that point, it was hot and I needed to slow down. I felt myself getting a bit nauseous and delirious. And when I saw that finish line I was so happy!

This was a great race, well run and tons of great support on the course. The uneven terrain and heat not so great but somethings are out of your control. I can now  say I have done two marathons and that my first marathon was officially my first and not just my only!! And of course every good race you need some bling and some chocolate milk. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 drinks cold milk, this marathoner, LOVES her chocolate milk!! Thank you Byrne Dairy, I brought you with me to Vermont!

So, what got me through this? It wasn't just my determination. Yes, I am the one that covered the miles not only on Sunday but also during my training but I wasn't alone. In one of the pockets of my fuel belt I carried certain people and messages with me. I knew at points I would need these people to help me dig down deep to make it to the finish line. 

Just one month ago my friend and first coach Brendan Jackson was called home to Heaven. He was a man who touched so many people's lives and encouraged so many to the finish line. He coached me through my first marathon in 2005 and I know I wouldn't have done it without him. And even after I finished that marathon for 12 years he continued to encourage me to so many finish lines. I carried his picture with me, and of course in the picture he was encouraging me up a hill. I thought of him so often during this race and especially on the hill climb from HELL on Battery Street. It was a mile climb that felt like it would never end. I ran the whole thing (pretty proud of that) and I heard his voice in my head..."this is not a hill Mo D...You got this"!! I miss you Brendan!!

The day before this marathon it was the 7th anniversary of my Mom's death. Many people would describe her as a sweet and kind woman, and that she was, but man was she tough, in a good way. She is always with me but I knew I would need her strength during this race. Thank you Mom!

I also carried a note with that my friend Cheryl gave me in 2012 when I was getting ready to complete my first Half Ironman..."You are stronger than you think!" She advised me to write that note on my arm during that race and to read it when I thought I couldn't go on. This message is so true. Just when you think I can't go on, you dig down deep and you find a way. I carry this message with me in this fuel belt during every training and every  race and Cheryl's message means so much to me. We often say it to each other, instead of saying "suck it up and get it done" we say "You are stronger than you think!" Thank you

I also carried the final time I wanted to beat during this race. I wanted to beat the time I set during my first marathon (done)! I also added my friend Rhonda's name, since I told her I would run for her. She is dealing with a frustrating injury and being sidelined is not easy for her. Meg and Jen I wrote your names down too. You are both going through a lot right now and know that you are not alone. Your continued support of me means so much and I hope you know that I am there for you too.

Finally my current Coach Kristen Roe, thank you for helping me to the finish line! You have been encouraging and a cheerleader before we even worked together. Thank you for being as excited for me as I have been as I have run through my goals (pun intended). And thank you for talking me off the edge as I got closer to race day! I greatly appreciate all of your support and friendship.

I wish I could thank everyone by name, my dad, brothers and sister and all my friends. I did not do this race by myself you were all there pushing me along. Now back to my opening line, "Where is that damn finish line?" I did find it and I kicked it up a notch until I crossed it. The support through that final .2 was unbelievable! The crowds were incredible. Once again I am a marathoner but this story is not over...there are more goals to set and more to achieve!

My Favorite!!