I DID IT! I COMPLETED MY FIRST MARATHON!!!!

Well, better late than never... here's a summary of how the 2008 Detroit Marathon went. Why am I posting this now -- more than 2 months after the fact? Because I am about to start another marathon training session and I wanted to wrap up the loose ends.

19 October 2008 - Detroit Marathon

The 2008 Detroit Marathon was so much fun! I had no idea! I am definitely hooked on long distance running! As I entertained the idea of running a marathon, I always knew in my heart that it had to be Detroit’s marathon. Friends had suggested Chicago because it is flat, fast and you don’t lose steam when the half-marathoners split off, but it just felt disloyal considering another course for my maiden attempt.

RACE DAY

Crisp and cold. The weather man predicted 40s, but it was much cooler with no humidity. As the morning wore on and after I warmed up while running enough to strip off my starting layers, the weather was PERFECT!

Typical of me I got to the start area just as the race was beginning, so I didn’t get to the correct corral. In hindsight, I guess it didn’t really matter because chip timing starts as soon as you physically cross the starting line. The upside was that I didn’t have to stand in the cold at all : )

I saw an old friend on the course that I hadn’t seen in 5 years (he told me he saw the article in the paper about me!), and I also hugged a friend who was a volunteer that I hadn’t seen in 2 or 3 years (we promised to get back in touch). HOW COOL IS THAT??

TMI

Ok, here comes a bit of data that clearly falls into the realm of "too much information." I'm sharing it because it was totally out of norm for me, and in case anyone is reading this in preparation for their first marathon they won't be surprised like I was...

During the race I had to pee constantly. It added more than 10 minutes to my chip time -- I know, I paused my stop watch while waiting in line. I bring this lovely topic up only because I never experienced this during my long training runs. When I look back and compare I think it was because of the race provided fitness drink and because the race day was substantially cooler (less sweating) than all of my long training runs. The first potty break was the worst: it was around the 8 mile mark after crossing into Canada. There was a large bank of porta-potties, but it seems many people were in dire need like I was. Seriously, at that stop alone I lost 10 minutes. As they say, once the seal was broken, I had to keep stopping. I think I stopped 3 more times after leaving the tunnel.

SHOUT OUT TO RACE VOLUNTEERS AND SPECTATORS

I really appreciated all the volunteers at the fluid stations, and especially the kids cheering for the marathoners after Revard Street before the RenCen.

There was a guy in a purple shirt that said Michigan Coach who was inspiring a runner along RiverWalk… he inspired me too. Funny, I saw him again later in the race in Indian Village, and he said kind words to me there (which really helped).

The drum guys at the Belle Isle Bridge were awesome!

There was some odd guy ranting on a loud speaker on Jefferson before the 21 mile turn. He was scary and strangely inspiring. He told us the race was for us and not to worry about time goals we had previously set. Our honest completion was our real goal, and we should be proud.

There was a great group of residents in Indian Village (at the end of the neighborhood) who were just incredible, very happy and encouraging and genuine!

The marching band at mile 24 played America the Beautiful and almost brought me to tears. I held back because I was afraid if I shed one tear, I wouldn’t be able to stop.

There was another random guy coaching somewhere in the 25 mile range. He really helped. He kept telling us the finish was so close we could taste it – and reminding us how great victory tasted.

There was a policeman downtown in the home stretch who said the best thing: finish line is two blocks up, take a left and a sprint.

THE FINAL SPRINT

As soon as I turned on to John R, I dug deep and sprinted all the way in… I got locked into a sort of tunnel vision, I just focused on the finish line and gave it all I had. I wondered what the photos were going to look like… I was sure I looked possessed… maybe I was : )

Finally, I have to say that the people in the massage tent are angels! They were so sweet and when you think about how long they are out there taking care of the stinky, smelly, sweaty runners… they are the ones that deserve a medal : )

THE LONG DRIVE HOME

I was so tired driving home. I went to bed at 4 pm Sunday and slept until 6 am Monday. I was so sore Sunday after the race, I could hardly move when I got home. Two days after the race, I felt much better. Only a little stiff in the ankles and a little tight in the quads.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Some people asked me before the marathon what was next for me, and I couldn’t really say then if I’d run another marathon. After the race I can easily say I plan to run Detroit again! My friends who knew about my attempt were so impressed they asked me to coach them next year : ) how could I say no?

Doug Curtis was right - YOU CAN DO THIS!