I woke up Sunday morning at 5:30 am, NOT in the most pleasant mood, after eating brownies and chips the night before at the Patterson's while watching watching conference, and getting only 6 hours of sleep the night before, but I figured I needed a work out anyways since I had been lazy practically all week, so I trudged to the metro to meet the runners at Patterson's and head for the start at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elyssees. (longest sentence ever) So we get there about an hour early, long enough for me to really debate on chickening out after seeing all these hardcore runners in their dry fit tank tops, spandex, all goo-ed up and taking shots of gatorade and caffeine. They weren't letting people into the bull-pin unless you showed them your official number so I was thinking I would just meet up with the runners at mile six where their wives would be waiting...Well I totally just bolted in there, found Kelly and the others and started the race with them! Long story short.. I actually finished the marathon! It was so random, but I was feeling good so I just kept on going. Plus a significant amount of grit comes into play when your older brother goes "there's no way you can do it." Michael one word for you: GAAAAAEEE!! haha. so ratty. Michael's comment after I told him I ran the marathon :"yeah that's so cool, see when you are a girl you can run a marathon and get a slow time and it's cool, like if I were to run a marathon I would actually have to get a good time." Typical.
I kind of just set landmarks for myself during the race. Mile six came up so quickly and then I realized I was almost a 1/4th of the way done, then mile 13.. half way, and felt I could totally do what I just did again... so I kept going... Then mile 16 came up three miles later and realized I would be starting the countdown from 10 miles, so I just kept on keeping on to mile 20, same thing... I was thinking of the six mile loop around the river in Eugene and was like I could totally run that right now! then sure enough I was counting down from mile 3, 2, 1... and done. Ran my first marathon. It was cool... a little anti-climatic because I finished by myself and right when I crossed the finish line a guy in French goes "are you registered?" and I said no, then he pointed me to the sidelines. haha. Then I hobbled around for the next hour to wait for everyone to finish and to meet up with their friends and family. But I didn't need a medal to make it feel 'official.' :) Plus, I think it would be so cool to come back and run it having trained and everything and actually get a good time. and be registered:) So I ran it in 4:38 I believe? A little over a 10:30 pace.. painfully slow, but the last 7 miles, I put my ipod in, (I didn't even need it up until that point cuz the course was BEAUTIFUL!) and I made up time and was running a little over 8:30 mm pace. Otherwise, I was feeling totally good. I was so surprised, I didn't have any blisters, injuries, sores, nothing. My joints were totally feeling it, but it was comparable to a state cup game...so yeah, I guess my youth is totally working in my favor!
This was taken at mile six. The men stopped and talked to their wives for a little... I don't think I was pleased about stopping or something, I don't even remember this being taken. haha. But Kate Patterson, (Kelly's daughter) took these pics. Thanks Kate!! My mom is grateful! :)I might have made myself look really hardcore in that paragraph. I hope all those reading this know me well enough to not see this entry as 'oh look what i can do on zero training.' because helllllo I am totally feeling the quads and soreness in my legs, but Burton H. and some ancestor from the Barnes gene pool was looking out for me with these massive tree trunks in the shape of calves and leg muscles, but ibuprofen is my friend so that's helped a lot. Walking downstairs is a joke. In fact I totally ate it yesterday when we were standing in line for the ticket booth outside the Saint Chapelle. But I think it's hilarious when people fall, even myself, so it was a lot funnier than the pain.
Last night at the Patterson's, Dr. Patterson "presented" me with the official Paris marathon shirt in front of the whole group. He also sent out a mass e-mail the night before congratulating me--it really made me feel special! It was so nice of him and I was really touched:) The group also gave me a lot of love and support:) I'm so glad I did it and I'm ready for marathon number two... honolulu of december of '09 perhaps?:)
Here is the site of the marathon, and on there I think you can see the route: http://www.parismarathon.com/marathon/2008/us/index.html
The whole atmosphere was amazing.!! Along the way there were water stops to sponge yourself down, water bottles, bananas, oranges, sugar cubes????, and dried fruit. I obviously mooched. Another hilarious side not were the open air urinals. I saw so much of so many men! Ps there were 35,000 runners! Anyways, I think a couple men and women saw a little too much of Meggers as well, but I just kinda needed to pop-a-squat as is because if I stopped for too long my legs would not have been able to start again.. so again, a daughter after my mothers heart;) She understands the incovenience and having-to-go- so-bad-it-doesn't-matter-where-or-when-factor. And dad I was totally thinking that when I can keep up with you we should totally run a marathon together. I like running buddies. It was a lot easier running with Brad, even though we weren't talking the whole time, than just by myself. And plus, you will push me!
Oh and here are the other pics: First one is of Brad and I. We started the race with Kelly and Mike. Then we went off on our own at mile 10 maybe? Then we split up at mile 20-ish I think. It was fun running with him. Kelly was a good sport running with his friend Mike. I knew he wanted to be up there, PASSING Brad and I, but he stuck with his friend to get him to complete his first marathon! All three of our firsts actually. And Kelly's like 20th? Yeah, I want to be him!
All the finishers! Mike, Kelly, Me, Brad. Kelly was hurt when I told him I hated how I towered over him in this picture. When really it's more embarrassing FOR ME, as his student AND a girl to tower. But he let me borrow his medal for the pic:) And note the Arc de Triomphe in the background!
So that's all for now... I'm happy I have checked off one of my life goals and it was one of the best experiences in Paris so far! I feel like I am totally living up this experience.
