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I guess I must start about 18 months ago when this crazy
person (or so I thought at the time) suggested that I run
the marathon and join this group called Austin Fit. What is
this new friend Angelica Ducut-Hambrick of mine thinking?
No, I can't run a marathon - are you crazy? I've only run
a 10K once in my life and that was at the Capitol 10,000 in
April of 1999. However, being the open-minded person that
I am, I listened to her and thought - why not? If anything,
I'll get in better shape, but I couldn't fathom actually completing
a marathon? Why run 26.2 miles? That's what they have cars
for!!
So, 9/25/99 after I return from my honeymoon I head out to
my first Austin Fit Saturday morning run. Hmmm...there are
quite a few people out here...then Angelica's smiling face
finds me through the crowd and we are off on my first group
run. It wasn't until after my first Decker in 1999, that I
actually thought I might be able to complete the marathon!
Besides, I "caught the fever" and my desire to complete
the marathon was very strong. Then at the 15 mile run, which
was my longest distance ever, I injured my knee. Out for the
year.
I came back to Austin Fit for yet another season in 2000.
This year was a great year. I have met some very great people
and had some great runs. During the first two 10K runs in
the distance challenge, my only goal was to finish without
injury, I was still very cautious with my knee. Completed
the Downtown 10K (8:34 pace) and Motive 10K (8:42 pace), both
with many stops, I just wasn't fit enough to do it without
stopping. My goal in the Race for the Arts 12K was to complete
without stopping; I did so and at a pace of 8:42. The CSC
10-Miler, Decker and Race for the Hills were completed in
8:40, 8:27, and 8:25 respectively. The 16 mile group run with
Henry, Heather and Julie was a lot of fun and I was very glad
to have met them - very nice people. My averages per mile
were decreasing; I was gaining confidence and strength. I
even started thinking about what I wanted my time to be. Secretly,
I thought, what if I can do the marathon under 4 hours or
something awesome like that, my confidence was a little too
high at that point. Then Buda came and KNOCKED ME BACK DOWN
TO EARTH!! 9:31 pace. I did not like that race AT ALL!! My
knees and hips were screaming at mile 8, I stopped and stretched
every mile after 10 (and saw Julie Miller and James Booher
have a hard time that day-none of us were very happy that
day). I questioned my reasons for wanting to complete a marathon...this
is absolutely crazy! I then went to the Body Therapy Center
to try to get my body back on track - thank God for Ron! Then
the 21 mile group run was when I REALLY figured out I could
and would complete the marathon. It was a great day. Vic Rameriz
and Laurie were fantastic running partners and conversationalists!!
Marathon day. I awoke and got up as soon as my alarm went
off, which is VERY ABNORMAL for me. I slept very well the
night before. Once my husband dropped me off and I found Maria
Perez and Mark Matthews, I began to get VERY excited. The
energy was high. Angelica and Joe Ohlstein came up. We stretched.
To the starting point. Once in the mass sea of people at the
start line I began to look around, I saw the different pace
groups, the different faces, some smiling, some discussing
strategy, some just standing there trying to stay warm. Then
it hit me - I'm getting ready to complete my goal. I was excited
and very proud of myself. I felt a lump in my throat, then
the horn blows and we are off. I have several layers of clothing
on and by mile five, I was ready to shed them. I was supposed
to give them to my husband around mile six, but no hubby.
Arg. About mile 7 my IT band starts to ache and it's stair
stepping. I just keep thinking -no, no, no, it's going to
be OK. Then mile eight, there's my hubby. Finally, I get to
shed some of these clothes - he doesn't even notice me until
I am standing right in front of him taking off my clothes
- how typical! :) We pass the half-way mark (8:51 pace-WOW),
the band is playing very loudly, very inspiring. The pain
in my knee/hip continues to elevate, the tightness increases.
Arrgg. I got to the point that I was wishing for uphills to
relieve the tension! I stopped to stretch for the first time
under the mopac bridge, ahhhh, that felt good. Can my knees/hips
hold out for another 11 miles? Then I starting praying. I
can't tell you how many "Our Father's", "Holy
Mary's", or "Glory Be to God's" I said during
the next 1.5 hours, but there were many. Mile 18 there was
a very nice, soft grassy area - hmmm...that looks like a really
nice place to stop and stretch, so I lay down and start stretching
again. Ahhhh, that feels goooooood. At the 30K mark I had
averaged 9:01, not bad! By mile 21 or 22, I had run about
6 or 7 miles by myself and I needed help! I stared into the
crowd looking for my husband (which I hadn't seen since the
12 mile mark) or any other friend. I scoured the participants
around me looking for a fellow running friend. But there was
no one. Arrrggg. Finally at about the 25 mile mark, I see
my husband with my dog (where was he for the last 13 miles???),
then the crowd of people right before the "loop of doom",
there was the boost I needed. Once in the "loop of doom",
I got a smile on my face - this is it! I look at my watch
and notice, that I just might make it under 4 hours, so I
pick it up. That last mile was soooooooo long (I swear it
was really longer than a mile). Finally I get to the crowd
of people and am in the final shoot to the finish-line. Aaaahhhh,
I'm here, I'm really, really here!! I'm a MARATHONER!!! What
a great feeling!! I look down at my watch, 3:59:10 for my
first marathon - WOW!! I've had a great time...thank you,
thank you, THANK YOU! - Dianne S. Crawley
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