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What a difference a great race makes. This
is my 8th marathon. The last Two years were hell. The stories
I've read today were very familiar to me. I have had a great
training year. I've been faster and stronger because of incorporating
weight training. My original goal this year was just to run
the half marathon. I wasn't about to put my body through hell
again. My 68 year old friend encouraged me to run the whole
marathon. He said he was going to run until he is 70 to have
a chance of winning the 70-74 age group. He knew how to motivate
me. What? If a 68 year old man can run, then so Can I. I had
done all the training with Austin Fit. So I knew I had the
mileage under me. My biggest challenge was my mental block
for the 21 mile mark.
I ran a smart race. I didn't start out too fast. Debra Saleny
and I ran together until about mile 15. As usual, we were
hollering and having a great time. Everyone knows Debra. So
we had all kinds of encouragement along the route. If anyone
knows me, they know I have a small bladder. Fortunately, I
only had to stop once. I went behind a wall, didn't want to
wait around for a porta pottie.
We picked up my step dad at mile 13. He ran the second half.
I was feeling great. He helped me pick up the pace. My step
dad was awesome. He really had the crowd supporting us. Around
mile 17 we ran into our 68 year old friend. Unfortunately,
he started out a little too fast and was beginning to get
fatigued. My step dad ran with him and I went on.
I was pretty much in shock. I couldn't believe I wasn't dying
yet. I had All kinds of energy and picked up the pace. I was
still worried for mile 21. Low and behold, my sister is at
mile 21. I trained her well. She had GU and animal crackers
for me. I threw my last layer to my mom and ran with my sister
til mile 23. Again, all kinds of encouragement. I was feeling
great. Darting in and out of people. I felt very emotional
and almost began to cry. I couldn't believe that I wasn't
hitting the wall. The last two miles were beginning to wear
on me. Another woman and I were running the same pace. We
encouraged each other.
Anyway, I had my best time ever. 4:32. I tell you what. What
a difference a great race makes. But I must tell you, I learned
much more about myself and what I was made of struggling and
hitting the wall then running a great race. Congrats to all..
Diane Coe
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