And it's done! 26.2 in 4 hours 41 seconds!!!!! I need help off of the sofa now!

Miles - 26.2
Pace - 9:11
Time - 4:00:41 (Chip time)
February Total - 64.88
Neighborhood - Jacksonville Beach, FL


STATS:  37th in my age group of 35-39 and my age is 37, so that was cool.  306th overall.  According to the news, there were over 10,000 runners total, that included half and full marathon.  85 elite runners participated.


Wow, what an experience!  I accomplished my first marathon yesterday and what a great feeling.  I rocked it for the first 18 miles.  Semi rocked it until 21 and then I had to just slow down and walk a little.  At about mile 11, I developed a blister right under my right big toe.  It hurt the rest of the way, but I didn't want to stop at any of the first aid stations.  I stayed hydrated and kept the GU going until about mile 22.  Then I couldn't stomach the GU and had to stick to water.  I only stopped for the port a potty twice.  I guess had I not done that, I might have reached my under 4 hours goal. =-)  


All along the way the crowds were absolutely great.  There were a lot of police at each intersection and I was sure to thank most of them for being there.  As the morning wore on, more and more spectators came out and we went through a lot of neighborhoods.  There were many children and many dogs along the way.  And of course, lots of pink throughout the course.  The cowbell seemed to be the cheer noise maker of choice.  It took me back to my college days at Mississippi State.  


We ran along the beach around mile 6 and while the scenery couldn't have been better, I am not used to running in sand and I struggled with that.  The half marathoners broke off from the marathoners about half way up the beach.  Once they were gone, the crowd thinned out.  Breast cancer survivors that ran in either race wore banners on their backs that read "Survivor".  Each one that I noticed, I would say "Yay Survivor!"  They seemed to appreciate it.  There were many.


At mile 19, I met a nice young lady named Stephanie Topping.  She was pacing about the same as me and I started talking to her.  She was 'taking it easy' because she is running the Boston Marathon in a couple of months.  We ran together for 5 or 6 miles and that was great motivation.  I finished ahead of her, but she wasn't far behind.  Glad I ran with her! 


The best part, other than finishing, was having Ian at the finish line.  He wore a bright yellow hat so I could see him in the crowd.  He met me at the finish line with a big hug, it was PRICELESS!  And of course he took copious pictures.  I think I was moving too fast for some of them though, ha!  


After I finished, I made it to the runners area and they gave me an ice pack to cool down.  I needed this because I had been training in an average temperature of 36 degrees and when we finished the race it was around 66 degrees and full sun.  I also stopped by the First Aid tent to get a bandage for my blister.  I got a bottle of water, an orange, and a muffin, then Ian and headed for the trolley back to the car.  Riding the trolley is where the nausea started.  I had to breathe deep and put my head down to keep from losing it.  We got off the trolley early so I could walk and get fresh air.  


Ian I left Jacksonville and headed to St. Simon's Island on the Georgia Coast.  I was nauseated for about the next 6 hours and couldn't get any relief.  I felt somewhat better after dinner.  We got up this morning and headed back to Atlanta via Savannah where we stopped for lunch at a great little Cuban place.  


Ian asked if I would do it again and right now I am saying no, but I think with coaxing, I will.  Especially if I could run it with friends.  I am extremely sore right now, so asking me about future marathons is probably not the best right now.  


All in all it was a great experience and it was for a great cause.  I enjoyed the event and it feels really good to accomplish this long time goal.  I can now call myself a marathoner, and that feels good.


Thanks to James and Heath for running with me during training.  All of my love and thanks to Ian for your cheering, support, and motivation during my training and certainly after.  


Anyone want to help me off the couch now?


Peaceful Running!