I was so happy to have gotten picked from the lotto to get into the NWM. It was such a blast! We left Saturday and got to union square in San Francisco, where the expo was. I knew I shouldnât walk around too much, but it was super cool so we did a little exploring.
One thing on the expo day Iâll never forget, Shawn grabbed my hand and lead the way. I was distractible, excited, and out of my mind; wandering around looking at everything like Ariel right after she got her legs.
We got my race packet and all of my freebees, tested out the flash jackets, and hung out in the gigantic union square Nike store.
That night we ate a really great dinner, and I tried to get some rest.
I woke up around 4 and was SO nervous. Mostly because my Achilles was bugging me a little. Shawn was amazing. He put KT tape on my knees, encouraged me to try to keep taking bites of my banana (It was hard to eat so early!) and went through my routine with me so I didnât miss anything.
It was FREEZING! We permanently borrowed the hotelâs blanket and were off to navigate where I should be.
Shawn dropped me off and went to find a parking space so he could stand with me and wait. We stood outside the corral as long as possible and chatted it up with another couple who was doing the same thing.
Finally, on the dark chilly morning, I THOUGHT it was time to start racing, so me and Shawn parted ways. My heart was pulling toward him as it does when it doesnât want to be separated. I was terrified and wanted to just hug him forâŠa few more hours. đŹ. Turning and walking away was tough, even though I knew I would see him after quick little 26.2 mile run. He yelled as he walked away, âKobe system!â
Because there were 30,000 people running, I didnât actually cross the start line until about an hour later! Thank goodness for the blanket reconnaissance.
As soon as I started running, my Achilles pain went away. Whew!
Not long into the race, I passed pier 7 where there was a choir singing to cheer us on. Even thinking about that makes me tear up, because it was powerful to be motivated in that way. Running down the Embarcadero, passing the piers that I had always visited, flew by so quickly. Shawn and I play a game where we check in on yelp when we go eat, and I checked in to somewhere while I ran passed pier 39. He immediately commented on the check in and I felt like he was with me.
Also, at this point, I had to pee. I had already passed the first batch of Porto-potties, so I was left to wait in a short line for those green public restrooms. Iâll never forget the exact one! Unfortunately, it was broken and the door wouldnât close. I was in race mode, so yes, I peed with the door open to all of pier 39. Just like a true eye-on-the-prize marathoner.
So many people made me posters that day and text them to me. I canât even write this without crying because it meant SO much and I will never have the words to explain it. Being supported by everyone I love was the number one tool I had to finish the race.
After I passed 13 miles, I told myself that THAT was when I started the race, and I just needed to run a half marathon from there. No big deal, I had done that countless times. Wrong. The next 3 started to really drag. My legs were tired, but I was mentally strong. I ate some extra gu packets and at mile 16 I got a burst of energy! Second wind! Amazing! Iâm running a freaking marathon!!!!!
Short lived enthusiasm. Delirium?
Mile 18 marked my mental wall collide, for which I had been expecting and prepared. Mile 18 seems SO close to mile 20, which was SO close to marker 26.2! I was on the home stretch! Then⊠Little thoughts started creeping in. âItâs really not that close, itâs 8 miles! 8 miles is a fairly decent length to run at once, normally running 8 miles is pretty rough on the legs, and at this point I have no idea how Iâm going to even keep picking up my legs. They are SO HEAVY!â My brain was so foggy. I knew that when I hit this point I needed to eat eat eat, everything I could get my hands on. I did that. I text Shawn, I listened to Pdiddy and tried dance running to âall the single ladiesâ, I gave spectators even MORE high fives than I had been, but this time - I was saved by one Sophie Kennedy Clark. I pulled out my phone to look at the poster âsheâ made for me that day. I thought about how tough she was, her heart surgery, and how many obstacles she would have to face in her life. It pulled me out of it. I was smiling, I was picking up my feet, I was running a marathon!
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
Shortly after I passed mile 22 (which was gorgeous and along the Pacific Ocean) a sideline coach said âhey! Do I see a grimace?â And started to jog along side me. I was overwhelmed because I hadnât had anyone talk directly to me for hours. Although I was around thousands of people, I had been alone in my head.
He said âsee that white building?â He pointed off in front of us.
âYesâ I said, probably in the mousiest voice Iâve ever uttered,
âThe finish line is BEFORE that!â
âThank you for talking to me!â
Was all I said back, and I was very genuine. I needed that and the high five he provided.
Around mile 24, another sideline coach looked at me right in the eyes and said âyouâre almost there! Youâre going to run a marathon today!â And I started to cry. At this point I text Shawn asking him to NOT be anywhere before the finish line, because I was afraid it would be hard to run past him. I wanted a hug. I think my text was in-cohesive, but luckily he was waiting after the finish line anyway. When I crossed it, I was almost afraid to stop running. I heard Shawn yell my name and I think I was a little disoriented because I turned toward him and waved. THEN I realized I was all done, and I ran over to hug him over the rail. He said âyou did it!!â And kissed my cheek. He said I tasted salty.
I gave him a giant squeeze before I had to collect my Tiffany necklace and finisher shirt. After sitting for a bit, Shawn told me that the car was parked a few miles away, and I decided walking there with him would probably be good for me. After about 100 feet of walking, I changed my mind. Shawn went to get the car and I cozied up in my beanie and scarf and laid on the most comfortable bed I had ever felt; post race asphalt. Pure joy.
We ate a yummy meal and then headed back to Fresno. When I got home, Nick carried me up the stairs and I had balloons!
Such an amazing experience!
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