I didn't make my goal, but I know I did as well as I could so I'm satisfied.
I was on pace, ahead of pace even, for a Boston qualifying run until mile 22. Then the awesome cloud cover cleared and the full brunt of the heat came down on us.
My heart started beating so hard it hurt, I was excessively thirsty yet wasn't satisfied by water or gatoraide, I hadn't had to use the restroom (totally unheard of for me) and I wasn't even sweating.
Then I threw up.
Twice.
And things went downhill from there.
After losing the contents of my stomache I felt better but my energy had been turned off like a light switch and it was all I could do to walk.
At mile 23 all I had to do to qualify for Boston was 3 miles at a 10 minute pace.
Yet because of the heat I couldn't run for 30 seconds.
Terra, whom I lost somewhere on Veyo hill, caught up to me and was totally shocked.
But I couldn't keep up with her and she kept on going.
I knew my friends Heather and Amber were waiting for me in the crowd somewhere and when I turned the corner at the last mile I was SO happy to see them.
Heather coaxed me into a slow jog and stayed with me until the finish line was in sight.
I saw 3 people go down in the last few miles and 2 on stretchers.
I have no doubt that if I had not walked those last miles I would have joined them.
I did not qualify for Boston. I don't even know my official finishing time.
But I didn't die.
And let me tell you, it really was close.
I am confidant in better conditions I would have qualified.
But I'm really glad I didn't. Because as I've stated before I really hate the marathon distance and then I would have had to run another one.
I didn't have much of a desire to do that before the race (other than to say I had run Boston) but now I have zero desire.
It's 5k's, 10k's and halves from here on out.
And I am REALLY excited about that.
I love those distances.
Congrats on finishing! And I couldn't agree more about race distances.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't die. And I'm glad you did as well as you could have.
ReplyDeleteWatch out 5K's. Amy's on her way!
Congratulations on FINISHING - you did awesome! I agree, I think the distance of the marathon is awful (I actually wrote an entry on this very topic that I have yet to publish) and it sounds like you did an amazing job and I'm so impressed that you stuck it out to the end - so many people would've given up!
ReplyDeleteOH. MY. GOODNESS. Amy!!!!! I'm in complete shock. I'm so sorry that you got so sick! I am SO PROUD OF YOU THAT YOU FINISHED!!! I'm glad you are proud of yourself, too, because that is a huge accomplishment. At least you learned that you do only desire to run those shorter races (although a half is by NO MEANS short!). I hope you start feeling better!!!!! I hope next week you have time and energy for a more detailed post. (Please let me learn from you). Rest up, sister and enjoy some conference :). Way to go on doing something incredibly difficult today!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing! That's the most important thing. I'm impressed you drove so far to run this in the first place. I hope I never get a desire to run a marathon. So far not yet!
ReplyDeleteIf there is anyone who is authorized (ok, maybe that's too strong of a term... oh well) to both commiserate and congratulate you, it's me... I tried the marathon for the first time in Rexburg in June and went through much the same experience... only I wasn't as beast as you and did not finish. I made it to mile 20 where the course aid people pulled me off because I was puking and crawling. After sitting in the back of someone's truck and trying to convince them I was fine I stumbled out to walk another 400 meters... and that was all my body could take.
ReplyDeleteSo in my book you're a super star! I can't believe you could still finish. I'm totally impressed and I think we should run some 10ks together... because they're my favorite!!! :)
Wow, I'm glad you finished! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteKeep running those shorter distances for a while so I don't look so bad when I only run one marathon. :)
Also, I'm VERY glad you didn't die.
I'm so glad Jess already commented about her marathon experience. Seriously I can't believe you got that time WALKING the last four miles! You're incredible. I'm so sorry it didn't go the way you'd hoped though. I can't even imagine. Altitude and heat - a deadly combo. So sorry!
ReplyDeleteWhen my father-in-law told me it was 94 degrees in St. George during the race, I was worried about you. I think you're awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you..I got alittle teary-eyed reading your post. Silly I know but I love a good story of endurance.
ReplyDeletewow..you did so great! I hope you're proud of your efforts!