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October 23, 2006
lucky number slevin
things to do ....
run a marathon .... check!
run another marathon ... check!
Yesterday I completed my second marathon. In some ways it was easier and in many ways it was harder than the first.
I am not sure exactly how long it takes for you to forget. The pain, the discomfort, the mental challenge that those last 6 miles create. Not long. It's been less than 24 hours and besides the flashbacks I get whenever I try and stand up or sit down those memories have all but disappeared. What's left is accomplishment, pride and a few more lessons learned.
I haven't been looking forward to or dreading this marathon, I decided early this month that this was going to be a training run ... a long one. I am going to do Vegas in December and want to be able to keep training and not take a week or two off after giving my all for 26.2 miles. So, that was my plan run 26.2 miles easy miles.
We got to Niagara early Saturday afternoon and picked up my race kit. I was number 7 ... lucky number slevin. This then inspired a lot of gambling featuring the number 7 ... unfortunately not so lucky.
The weather was cold, wet and windy for the first 7 miles. After we crossed over the Peace Bridge and got onto the Niagara Parkway the wind calmed down and the scenery was beautiful. My support crew, my dad and bff M, were waiting at mile 12 for me. After a quick hello, wave and cheer I was off. I felt really strong at the halfway point. The support crew were waiting at mile 17, I stopped this time and grabbed a drink with them, after a couple motivational pats on the back I headed out.
Just before 19 I noticed two things ... the weather changed, it was windy and colder ... and I was beginning to feel nauseous. I figured both would pass soon. At mile 20 it started to drizzle. I had packed an extra shirt in the support crew bag, I grabbed it and changed out of my wet one. They asked how I was doing, I said okay I felt strong but a little sick.
I ran all of mile 20, but when I started to run again after the waterstop I was dizzy and really naueous. I think 21 was the hardest mile for me yesterday. It was the first time I had walked all day and I walked all of it, just staring at the yellow line so I won't sway all over the road. At 22 I tried running again I got almost the entire mile in, but had to start walking again. I mixed the gatorade and water together at the next waterstop and sipped it slowly for part of mile 23. I'd run for a bit, then walk, then run.
As I came round the corner at mile 24 I saw a familiar yellow hat and blue coat. I could of cried. It was my support crew, I thought they were going to the finish line after mile 20. They didn't, my dad stopped and bought me a plain bagel hoping it would make me feel better. I ripped off a piece and started walking again, I wanted to get in their car, I wanted to sit down, but most of all I wanted to finish this. The bagel seemed to help.
I started to feel a little human. I started to feel like I was going to finish. I started to run. I didn't stop until I crossed the line. Today, I started and finished my second marathon.
I'm not sure what caused the nausea. I've drank water and gatorade before and haven't experienced any side effects. Maybe it was just fatigue. I really felt the difference of not putting in all my training miles. I did a lot of miles before Chicago, both during the week and on long runs. It makes a difference on race day. I felt like my tank was filled for 21 miles, I cruised along no problems, then suddenly, chug chug. Trying to knock out 5 miles on empty is tough.
In the end, I was 11 minutes slower than Chicago. Which isn't bad considering I wasn't trying to set a new PR. I ran it like a training run. If, if, if .... nope no ifs. I am very happy with the result.
Tonight I am going to tweak my training plan.
Posted by Ali at October 23, 2006 1:22 PM
Comments
great job ali!! that is heck of a "training run" for sure. way to tough out those last miles, they sure can be tricky. isn't weird that random things can happen during a marathon that never happen during training? so weird/random. now you deserve lots of rest!
Posted by: brent at October 23, 2006 8:11 PM
aww...little sis! you DID it!
man, every time you do one of these epic races, i just swell with pride. great job in pulling out the finish.
can't wait to see you in vegas for number three!
Posted by: jeff at October 24, 2006 1:50 AM
Ali, you rock!!! Way to go pulling off number 2, staying focused on your goals, the purpose for the run and re-adjusting your training plan for number 3! Very impressive and inspiring, keep it up!
Posted by: Heath at October 24, 2006 1:19 PM
congratulations on yet another accomplishment. you did great pulling it to the finish. seems like you're ready for vegas! good luck!
Posted by: nattie at October 31, 2006 7:49 AM