Part II-Marathon of Pain…

Okay, so now I was CONVINVED I had completely screwed myself with the NikePlus method of training.  I had probably never run even 14 miles, maybe 12 tops.  As I kept running, I kept getting more and more discouraged that there was no way I was going to finish this thing, much less run 3/4’s of it or more, the way I planned.  In fact, I was going to have to chuck ALL my plans.  I had positive mental tapes of me striding past mile marker 22 with barely a bead of sweat on my forehead…that mental image was quickly being replaced by one where I was lost and alone at mile 15, walking with tears in my eyes. 

Then finally I saw AND smelled the zoo.  Okay, this was good because that meant Mom was close by.  I knew her presence would encourage me.  I ran through the zoo.  I spotted 2 giraffes.  I said hello to a police officer on a motorcycle who was patrolling for those of us at the end of the pack.  He told me there was still a guy behind me.  Good, I was at least not the VERY last person.  As I came out of the zoo, I saw Mom at the water stop.  I was so happy to see her and felt a lot of peace just knowing she was there.  I figured even if I didn’t finish, I could run some more.  She filled me up with more Gatorade and I started to run again.  A few more miles and she had parked ahead of me and got out and walked with me a while.  I was about mile 15.  I had started to walk a while.

Jeremy, Brad, Kate and Thomas found us.  By the time I saw them, I was about ready to throw in the towel.  Jeremy and Brad took over for Mom and walked with me.  Neither had a lot to say but they had maps and kept me on course.  One thing about the Omaha Marathon, it is one weird course with many turns.  I would have been totally lost if not for them.

I didn’t know what else to do but walk and run, walk and run and then walk some more.  About mile 17, my friend Steph met up with me.  Somehow people just kept finding me and walking with me.  With someone at my side, I just couldn’t turn to them and say, “you know what, I am going to quite now.”  So I just kept going.  At one point, Steph had her 7 month old son in a baby carrier and she was walking with me while she carried him.  Kate had showed up in high heels but borrowed her son Thomas’ shoes and walked with me too.  Mom drove ahead and people got in and out, switching out to walk with me for a while and then getting back in the car.  They passed water and Gatorade out to me. 

At 1 o’clock I was at mile 20, they came and took down the marker cones.  They map was even more critical.  By this time, I was in deep and scary North Omaha.  Brad, big and buff, Brad was walking with me and I felt safe.  The two old ladies were about 1/2 hour ahead of me.  If I hadn’t had my posse, I would have been completely alone.  Kate joined us and we ran down a hill and into a park.  I had never seen this park before and we marveled at the huge trees.  Everything looked so lovely and green.  I had half a Snickers and more water.  Brad and Kate got in the car and Jeremy got out to walk a while with me.

Jeremy kept saying how proud he was of me.  By this time, I was really hurting.  I didn’t think I could run anymore.  I didn’t think I could really walk but as long as I was in motion, I was okay.  Step by step, I was completing it.  Steph came to walk with me and she kept saying, “you are doing it, you are doing it.”  And I realized I was DOING it.  I was, right then, completing the marathon. 

I approached what I knew was the area of the finish line.  Jeremy was with me.  The entrance to the area was confusing.  He was on his cell phone with the support in the car, who had the maps.  Even the map was confusing and Jeremy and I walked about 1/2 mile onto a running trail before we realized that a 6 foot fence now separated me from the finish line.  We had taken a wrong turn.  I couldn’t walk all that way back.  I could see where I was supposed to be but could not climb the fence.  Mom drive up and I got in, she drove me to the exact spot on the other side of the fence.  I got out onto the correct rail and kept walking.  With 1/2 mile to go, I started running and crossed the line.  They gave me my medal and shook my hand.   

 I was so happy to be done.  I had completed it. It took me over 7 hours but I had done it.