Race Day

Sunday was a milestone for both of us. I mean, a marathon-stone?

Nate and I have completed our first marathons!!! It was quite a challenge for both of us but well worth it. Our muscles are still sore and we're hobbling around like old folks and learning what it's going to be like when we're an elderly couple ;)

As would be expected, my leg muscles are still sore, but I've had worse sensations in my legs from recently hiking in Maine or from gymnastics conditioning days from my youth. I expect it will pass in the next day or two.

Upon finishing the marathon, there were swarms of medical volunteers on hand. As soon as I was awarded my medal I was swept to the side by a volunteer to ask me if I felt ok. I felt completely fine aside from my jello legs. I was then shuffled on over to a line to check my weight. They weigh you before and after the race to assess any weight loss or gain that my indicate dehydration or other medical issues. When I got to the front of the line I was again asked if I felt ok. YES!!! I felt very normal. I stepped on the scale and as it turns out, I had gained one pound, when I should have lost 1-2 pounds or more. I told the medical personnel that I had been taking in a large amount of fluid which may explain it. They told me that any gain in weight may indicate a problem, so I was then escorted to the medical aid station to fill out a questionnaire (how much/what have you been drinking, how many times did you use the restroom, how many water stations did you stop at, etc). The woman who handed me the form again asked if I was feeling ok. I was still feeling completely normal. I was monitored the entire time I was filling out the form. Although I was slightly annoyed by the continous questioning of my state of well being I was appreciative and impressed that they were doing so well taking care of people. I would not be the least bit worried if I actually did have a medical problem because I would be well taken care of, for sure. They gave my completed form to a physician who reviewed it then released me with a phone number to call if I had any problems later on (which I haven't).

I think the hardest parts were the last few miles. When I saw a giant "Only 3 more miles!" sign, I was ecstatic. But those last three miles were grueling and long. I have never felt a mile go by more slowly. When I reached mile 24, I wasn't sure if I could go another mile, twice. But the crowd support in the final miles was so effective. I picked up adrenaline and maybe even some speed as the finish line came into view.

I would definitely recommend the Houston marathon to anyone, especially first-timers. The course is a great tour of Houston and is mostly flat, and the crowd support is surreal and unbeatable. I really don't think I've ever heard my name yelled out so many times in that short of a time frame. What an amazingly fun run! Here are a few highlights:

Crowd Support:

• Obviously, copious loud cheering, signs, noisemakers, and people calling out our names-- I couldn't stop smiling for probably the first 6 miles because I was so impressed
  
• An Episcopal priest who was "blessing us" as we ran by using a wet branch which had been dipped in water
• Bagpiper, live bands, belly dancers, ...
  
• Trays and trays of orange slices and banana halves from residents
• Costumed spectators: Elvis Presley, The Statue of Liberty, ...
• A father who requested that Nate high-five his infant daughter as he passed by

Memorable Signs, Cheers, or Quotes:

• Pain is temporary, Glory is forever
• Marathon: the triumph of desire over reason
• If your feet hurt, then you're kicking a**
• My sport is what your sport does for punishment
• Have you ever seen so many healthy people in one place? (Nate, when we arrived before the race)
• There are cookies at the finish line
• At the 10k marker: If you were running a 10k, you would be done now (I was personally not encouraged by this one!!)
  

Miscellaneous:

• There were medical aid stations at least every 2 miles, and most of them were holding out wooden sticks with globs of vaseline on them for those who needed chaffing prevention. Nate and I were talking after the race and I found it funny that he initially thought it was some kind of edible energy gel which he may have taken and eaten had he not heard some guys in front of him reveal that it was vaseline.
• In one of the few hills in the course (around mile 14 or 15) my momentum was decreasing, but when I heard someone yell "Hey! There's 400 man! This is his 400th marathon!," I looked to my left and saw an older man passing me and picked up my pace. If he can run 400, I can do it once!
• Men urinating in the trees/bushes, despite the fact that port-o-cans were plentiful along the course and thousands of people were passing by
• I accidentally wrote "Baylor College of Marathon" today. I'm apparently still in marathon mode.
  

A few photos:

Here we are, around 6am, mentally prepping for the race. Can you see the look of anticipation in our eyes? I almost think we look more tired in this photo than in the after-shot.

After the race:

And here we are with the Grafs. We are so blessed to have had them bike along the course with us and hand off gels, food, or fluids to us. It was incredibly encouraging to see them at intervals of the run, which made an impact on my decision to keep running instead of stopping to walk.

And finally, here are videos of our finish. In the first video, look for me alongside the man dressed up as the statue of liberty (to your right). I just barely beat him to the finish line. As I was approaching the finish, the crowds were extra loud, cheering for the costumed runner, but of course I pretended they were cheering for me, which made the finish even more exciting.

In the video below is Nate. You'll see him appear in a white sleeveless top and blue shorts. I'm still amazed that he finished so closely behind me despite the pain in his leg. I am very proud of him!

And to followup on the last post, the weather was great. Slightly cooler conditions may have been more favorable, but it was almost perfect!