I had a lot of trouble falling asleep last night. I was super tired around 7pm but then of course, got a second wind around 10pm so was up pretty late. Denise and I hung out in our hotel room, making the final adjustments to our singlets for race day, and having one final walk through of race morning so that I could double and triple check that I had everything I needed (as if doing it a few times before leaving home on Thursday night wasn't enough - I'm so type A). After laying in bed and being unsuccessful in falling asleep, I called a great friend who thankfully talked to me until I got tired and was ready to try the sleep thing again. I have no idea what I would do without friends like that!!
The alarm went off at 5am to allow us enough time to get ready and meet our team in the lobby of the hotel at 6am. Got ready and made my way to my mom and Dominique's room to drop off my bags before the race. It was so motivating to see them in the morning. I think they were just as excited and nervous as I was!! I honestly can't say enough how much it meant to me to have my mom and Dominique there for the weekend supporting me. I knew I was going to be emotional and couldn't imagine not doing this without my mom there with me. After a few quick pictures pre-race (if anyone knows my mom, they will know it's impressive I got away with only a couple of them), I made my way down to the lobby to meet the team.
I know that I haven't dwelled on this much during my postings but one of our teammate's (Jaci) daughter has been battling leukemia all season. Last week, Kalila was placed into a hospice center to allow her to be as comfortable as possible as she spends what could be her last few days with us. It was very up in the air whether Jaci would be joining us on race morning as it depended on how her daughter was doing. Apparently, Kalila had convinced her mom to race in the morning so we were all glad that Jaci would be joining us and completing the team. Despite the good intentions, we arrive Sunday morning to see Jaci very upset and crying - she received news that Kalila had a very rough night and was not expected to live much longer that day. After an entire round of hugs and encouraging words from the team, Jaci went to spend some precious time with her daughter and our team was even more motivated to run this race in honor of Kalila. It was time for the rest of us to make our way out to the Team in Training tent and get ready for the race (but not of course without a team picture!)
I learned a lot today about race mornings. First, fill your water bottle before leaving the hotel. I thought I might get lucky and find some water near the start line but that was incorrect. I could hear Coach yelling in my ear not to walk on the grass so you didn't get your shoes and socks wet before the race - that causes nasty blisters! Coach also wasn't kidding when he said to bring your own toilet paper to the port-a-potties. I left mine on the dresser in the hotel so after Jill and I waited almost 20 minutes in line for the bathroom pre-race, we were greeted with no toilet paper. Not the stress I wanted in the morning before the race - I had plenty enough going on in my head and body as it was. Jill and I got separated from the rest of the team at the start line and that was slightly nerve wracking but it all worked out once we started running and found everyone. I'm so glad that I had Jill next to me at the start so we could share our pre-race jitters together!! The gun went off and it took us about 10 minutes to cross the start line and then we were off!!! I was planning on doing a run/walk method for the race but started off running the first mile straight because I needed to work off some of that extra adrenaline.
My mom and Dominique were stationed at mile 3.1 at the first Team in Training Cheering section. I turned the corner and was so excited when I saw them, my mentor Jim and the rest of the group in their amazing outfits and noise makers. I think I even teared up when I saw my mom because I still was just so excited that she was there supporting me and the rest of the team. I even looked pretty good at mile 3.1!
It was really cool to run through the streets of Downtown Denver - a city that I continue to fall in love with more and more every time I go. We ran past the Pepsi Center (home of the Nuggets!) around mile 2, Coors Field around mile 3.1 (where Mom and Dominique were), and just the streets of downtown. I hit the second water stop around mile 4 - don't forget, my water bottle was empty - and quickly learned that they were out of water and Gatorade already. What?! It's only mile 4 - that shouldn't happen!! I was really worried that the rest of the course was going to be the same way and I was going to get sick because it was rapidly getting hot and I was going to be under hydrated. My teammate Lauren came to the rescue and gave me one of her smaller water bottles from her fuel belt - a total live saver (even though thankfully, there was lots of water on the rest of the course). I kept trucking on and was SO excited to see the large cheering group at mile 5.5. It was exactly the motivation I needed before entering City Park for a few miles. After running for what seemed like forever, I exited the park and was greeted by the cheering group again at mile 9.0. I was really starting to struggle at this point. My legs were very heavy, I was getting tired. My endurance was still there but I just couldn't keep the legs moving as much as I wanted too (I guess that's what I get for not running for a week and a half before the race). Mile 10 was quite possibly my personal hell during this race. Cathie, our staff member from TnT ran with me for a few blocks in her cowboy boots and megaphone and boosted me up a bit - I can't say enough for her support and motivation at that point in the race.
I entered Cheeseman park and was faced with long hills for miles 9-11 and that was a killer. I think I walked a significant amount at this point and also hit the 2 hour mark somewhere in the park. Once I left, I was greeted by the Denver TnT coach who pumped me up, almost as much as seeing the mile 11 marker. With only 2.1 miles, I had less than a 5k to go. I could run a 5k at this point, that's easy stuff - I love running 5k races. I knew that I was within 40 minutes of being done and that was motivating for me - so was the downhill I hit around mile 12! As I was running up Lincoln Street, I could hear the announcer at the finish line so I knew I had to be close. A random runner yelled to me that the finish line was just around the corner and I was so excited. I don't know how she managed to make this happen, but just at that point, with less than 1/2 mile to go, my aunt's song - "Doo Wah Diddy" turned onto my ipod and pushed me to the finish line. I teared up instantly but then had to stop crying because I couldn't look bad for the finish line pictures :) It was the perfect way for Aunt Goofy to remind me that she was there with me for the end of the race - she always has been and always will be with me. I turned the corner, saw the cheering squad close to the finish line - including my mom, Dominique and Jim - and pushed hard to the finish! Final race time - 2:40.05 - under my goal of 2:45 so I was a happy girl. I literally couldn't get the smile off my face after I crossed the finish line if I tried! It was an amazing feeling and I was hooked!
I got my medal, made my way through the corrals, through the food areas and was instantly greeted by my mom and Dominique running up to me with hugs. I cried, absolutely teared up because I was so happy that she was there and couldn't stop telling me how proud of me that she was. She even gave me a sneaker charm for my bracelet :)
After stretching and checking back in with the team, I made my way back out to the finish line area to cheer with the rest of the cheering squad. I wanted to be there to cheer in the rest of my teammates that were running the full marathon. I know how important having the cheering sections around the course was for me and I wanted to build that group as much as I could. Plus, I had so much positive energy going through my body after completing my race, I had to do something physical! We stayed out on the course near the finish line for the next few hours - we were going to stay until every last person came across the line. I ran in a bit with Jill, my last Colorado Springs teammate to cross the finish line, and stayed even more to bring in the last few Denver folks. The last one came across the line as the entire group of us ran in with her, signifying the end of the Denver Marathon.
I still haven't been able to come up with the right words to describe the feelings I had during this entire experience. I'm so proud of myself for the physical and emotional roller coaster I went through and in knowing that the money I raised will make a huge impact on people struggling with blood cancers and hoping that a cure is found so that no one else has to lose their "Aunt Goofy". I'm excited to continue this experience next month when the Winter/Spring season starts and I'm with the team again .. this time as a Mentor!! I get the opportunity to be as amazing as Jim was to me and help others to have as a great of an experience as I had ... and train for a full marathon. Nashville Country Music Marathon in April ... here I come!!
As a post note, Kalila passed away tonight around 8pm. Cancer REALLY, REALLY, REALLY sucks! I can't send enough thoughts and prayers out to her family and friends.
Today's Miles: 13.1
Total Miles: 214.6
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