Twin Cities Marathon

What an amazing race. Not necessarily how I felt or ran, but the amazing support of a city.  The volunteers and spectators made the race.. there is no way I would have made it to the finish without them. 

I started out with Holly and Sarah.  We kept a great pace all the way up to the halfway.  They went on and kept that great pace while I slowed down almost 2 minutes a mile.. My hip was not liking the run.  It was awful.  I would run a few yards and my whole right leg would go numb, starting at my hip. 

Holly, Sarah and I around Mile 2/3

Around mile 16 I started walking with a guy named Matt.  It was his first marathon. We talked a little bit and walked and attempted running a bit.  I stopped to chat with my  niece and lost him after that.  I hope he finished!

Chatting with Lily

Running with another injured runner

My family and Kris were at 3 different places throughout the marathon, and always right when I needed a little push.  I'm so grateful they were there. 

My awesome cheerleaders

Lily's classy sign

At mile 22, I saw Jenny and Carson.  Jenny came up to me and gave me a hug and I just broke down.. it was so disappointing for me to be feeling that awful and having such a terrible time getting to the finish.  I was feeling really sorry for myself.  Jenny ran up to the last half mile with me - what a savior.  She talked about all sorts of random things, trying to keep my mind off of the hurt.  She helped me push a little bit and try and work through my pain. So thankful for such amazing people.

My saviors running with me

 I finished.  It took me a while to be okay with it.  But I am now proud to say I FINISHED THE TWIN CITIES MARATHON IN 4:21:05, almost a half hour slower than my last one.  And I'm okay with it.  I can't PR every time.  And enough of my running friends had great times that I can't be upset.  The running club really is an amazing group of people.  The ones that were racing, volunteering, spectating.. all of them.

Second marathon, finished! 4:21:05

My family and Kris - cheered along the way and also met me at the finish

Club Run Marathoners

I went out today and got a new Garmin, the Forerunner 610. I was so anxious to try it that I leashed up Dakota and ran a very slow, easy mile.  I needed that - I can still run.  My body was a little reluctant but once it got warmed up it didn't object too much.  And Dakota loved it.

New toy!

I have a little under 2 weeks to get ready to run the KC Half.  I have no goal for that race.  It's more of an excuse to get down there.  It's almost as much of a spectator race as the Twin Cities, so it will be fun to take it all in.

Cheers to being able to finish a marathon :) even if it's not in the anticipated time!

Overall Time

Detailed results, you can definitely see where my hip went out