The race started promptly at 7, but I barely realized it. The wheelchair racers took off and the runners followed a minute afterwards. I never heard the go, but started off with the rest of the runners. I positioned myself just ahead of the 4:45ers because I wanted to run around 10:30miles and the 4:45ers were shooting for 10:53.
Mile 1--Fairly uneventful, made our way past Memorial Stadium. At this time there was no wind, that would come to haunt many runners a few hours later as we finished the race. Saw my mom and sister, that was a pleasant surprise. My sister asked me if I needed anything and I thought to myself, "Dear God, if I need something now, we're in trouble!" A lone frat boy sat outside one of the frat houses and cheered his little heart out. We all got a laugh out of that since clearly he had not slept last night early.
Mile 2-Went through Campus Town. Volunteers were awesome and supportive, not too many spectators. I was feeling good and keeping my 10:30 pace and was very thankful of the Garmin Allison loaned me because I caught myself trying to speed up and forced myself to slow down a bit.
Mile 3-4-Continued through Champaign and moved into Urbana. I continued scanning in front of me and behind me for my running mates, but couldn't find them. I put my best smile on any time I saw a camera, just in case I'd see the photo again.
Mile 4.?-Saw Tony, Allison, Macy, and Tyler for the first time. Macy looked less than thrilled to be there, but I was sure thankful. It put a little more pep in my step and made me forget about what I was doing for just a few moments.
Mile 5ish--Saw my dad and Steve for the first time and that felt good. I continued on pace and was feeling great. Started to get a little irritated with the Relay participants who were walking. Towards the end of mile 5, I saw Dave and Karen for the first time holding up signs to support me. Once again, this helped me pick up my pace for a stretch and got my mind off of the next 21 miles.
Mile 6-The first of the wind. I knew this would be a windy part because it goes through open land in Urbana. I had run this stretch at least twice in my training and even on non-windy days, it's windy. Add the 15mph wind we had at that time and it was reason enough that I started to see marathoners walk through this part. I enjoyed my first of many Gus here and was surprised to get passed by the first male 1/2 marathoner at this point. I had calculated thinking it would happen closer to mile 8 since they started a 1/2 hour after us, but they were faster than I thought they'd be.
Mile 7-8-Got in line for one port-o-potty to go pee, but decided it was taking too long so I got out of line and continued on. Fortunately not too long afterwards there was another one and this one didn't have a wait. Saw Mandy and her cute little baby here, along with quite a few other spectators during this part.
Mile 8-10-Headed into Meadowbrook park and must have just missed Jen and Marissa, but didn't miss all the half marathoners that started to come in larger groups. I felt phenomenal during this part, I put on my headphones, enjoyed the Marathon Mix that Mix 94.5 had playing (which was PERFECT), and lived it up. I sang to myself, smiled the whole way, and took a minute (or few) to enjoy what I was doing. I saw Tony, Allison, Macy, and Tyler near mile 9 and even saw our Superintendent as I headed out of the park. I spotted Jim and gave him a high five and kept my eye out for Marissa and Jen, thinking they'd be near Jim.
I quickly went from my high to a minor low just after this point because I was running low on fluid and was not enjoying my Gatorade mix that I had trained with all along. I just wanted water and didn't have any. Of course I got some at the stations, but I am a sipper and need it on demand!
Mile 11-Saw the fam and informed them that I needed to switch out my water bottle at the next one. I was still staying on pace and feeling good, but mentally started thinking about how many miles I still had left in the race.
Mile 12-Split with the halfers and saw Cara, John, and Ashlynn. Again, another boost of happiness...thanks, guys!
Mile 13--Really wanting water, took another Gu, got passed by the 4:45ers who seemed to come out of nowhere.
Mile 14ish--Saw Angie from work, gave her thumbs up and felt pretty good thanks to the Gu from mile 13.
Mile 15-Started looking forward to seeing my family again. I kept my eye out for my sister because I knew she would be running a bit with me. That didn't seem to come soon enough, my pace started to slow, but I still hadn't walked yet other than quickly through a couple of the water stations.
Mile 16-17-All kind of a blur, but got the biggest surprise of the day...Kristin shouting from the sidelines! I was shocked that my bestest friend growing up, who happens to be 38 weeks pregnant, had driven over 2 hours (against my advising and knowing) to cheer me on in my first marathon. She gave me a big hug and, of course, I cried, but it was AWESOME! Kristin ran with me for a little while and my sister continued on with me. I was so thankful to have her by my side, something I had in my head throughout the process. I refused to talk, so she amused me with small talk and then let me on my way. My student teacher, who had just finished one of her teaching exams, was standing outside of the high school and cheered me on.
Mile 18-Saw Danielle and Jeremiah, who got a great video of me telling them to never do a marathon, and passed my classroom. Allison joined me here and this was phenomenal. I was still running, but had slowed considerably and knew that the next 8 miles would be interesting. Jen, Marissa, Maddie, and Luke were waiting around the corner for me as well, so that was another pick-me-up. Towards the end of the mile, I stopped to go pee and my legs were telling me it would be a bad idea to stop again. I took in another gel in hopes that it would get me through.
Mile 19-Saw Igor, Andra, and Bilbo, who got a few pictures of me as well. I started playing some mind games, but thankfully Allison was there to tell me stories of her previous marathons. I realized that there would be a few walking breaks in my future, so I told myself at mile 20 I could walk a bit.
Mile 20-Came soon enough and I took my first walking break. I do think it only lasted about 30 seconds-1 minute, but it was worth it. I informed Allison that I would be taking some water breaks and she informed me, "That is fine, but do realize, I will be trying to get you to run!" I knew that she was right because my legs had already been telling me that I was better off to keep running.
Mile 21-Allison continued passing the time with other stories and memories of our college days together. She gave me words of encouragement and reminded me that I would forget about any pain I was feeling. I considered taking the orange slice that came near the mile marker, but feared it would upset my stomach. Enjoyed the cheers from a current student and the surprised faces of some old students who saw me during this stretch. Tony, the kids, Marissa, Maddie, and I believe my sister and mom?, were also here at a time when I really needed it. Once they cheered for me, two of my running partners must have heard my name and turned around and for the first time, I saw Matt and Sue Ellen. I found out that they, along with Del, were speed demons and had been quite a bit ahead of me the whole time! Matt was starting to cramp, but was still looking strong.
Mile 22-I took a quick walking break, chatted with Sue Ellen and Matt, and then continued on. Kristin and Dave saw me again here and gave me some more words of encouragement along with some more Gu that I used to fight the fatigue.
Mile 23--Danielle and Jeremiah caught me again and Steve and Dad got a picture of me as I ran by the mile marker. I decided against a walking break at this mile marker and pressed on. I knew I was close, had run the furthest I had ever run before, and really just wanted to get it over with.
Mile 24-25-Again, another blur, except for the gentle incline that I can say I conquered thanks to Allison, who told me to just look down and not ahead--probably the best advice of the whole race. I know if I had been alone I would have been cursing the hill and mentally breaking down. I realized I probably was going to be one of those lucky runners who didn't hit the wall, but was afraid to say it out loud in case I would jinx myself. I can say with utter confidence that this was COMPLETELY as a result of all of the support I had on the course, along with Allison running by my side during the miles I needed someone most.
Mile 25-I knew the end was so close, but it felt like the longest mile of my life. Mike ran into us and joined in, that was GREAT. I asked that Mike and Allison keep talking to me to keep my mind off the race. As we approached Memorial Stadium, the dreaded wind attacked. Wind speeds were now closer to 20-25 mph and they were horrendous. Fortunately Mike and Allison ran a little bit ahead of me and blocked the wind for me for a little while.
Mile 26-Mike announced my name to the crowd as I approached the final shoot and Kristin and Dave cheered me. Allison informed me that I had to beat the people in front of me and, at first, I thought she was crazy. I quickly got a burst of energy, though, and blew by them with a HUGE smile on my face and my hands in the air. I saw Mike and Donna (my fearless training pace leaders) and Del cheering me in and I was PROUD.
Finish--I was greeted by Mary who gave me the biggest hug I think I've ever gotten and I gave a wave to my family, who was cheering in the stands.
Stay tuned for post-race pictures with my AWESOME support team and post-race celebration pictures at the 27th mile.
