Average Jane or GI Jane?

Done. Finished. Completed. SURVIVED!

I am officially a marathoner- 2010 Marine Corp Marathon FINISHER!

I can't say it was easy...it was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. I believe I was 100% ready for the event...physically. But no one can ever prepare you mentally and emotionally for running 26.2 miles.

My morning started off a bit rough...I didn't feel too well and of course I was nervous. We woke at 4:00am and the race didn't start till 8:00am so there was a lot of waiting. They recommend you are in "runners village" (aka the starting area) at least two hours before the start. There was heightened security as well due to all that has been going on in DC lately so it was kind of strange running on a course with FBI agents and other military personnel holding weapons.

I am not going to take you through the entire race...I will spare you mile-to-mile details. Here's a brief account...Miles 1-10 were rough...miles 11-20 I felt strong and the final 6 were a bit of a struggle. I just wanted to be done and I wanted to see Will.

I want to thank Robin...she was cool and collected and provided much needed reassurance (without saying much) throughout the first 20 miles. We didn't talk like we do on training runs...there was so much going on around us. Robin was in a zone and I fed off of that many times throughout the race which was incredibly helpful and calming.

So to everyone's big question..."what was your time?" It isn't that I mind people asking because I have somewhat obsessed about finishing times myself, but at the same time I ran 26.2 miles so does my time really matter? I completed it in 5 hours and 33 minutes. I have to say I was hoping to come in under 5 1/2 hours but I'll take the 3 minutes. I've had plenty of mixed emotions about those 3 minutes and other parts of the race which I just have to let go. But I did some research. It appears that only around 1% of the population ever run a marathon in their life time and out of Sunday’s Marine Corp Marathon with 30,000 registered competitors only 21,856 finished. And according to Marathon Guide, the average finishing time for woman in all US marathons in 2009 (since 2010 stats are out yet) was 5 hours 41 minutes. So I'm AVERAGE....Average Jane...and after 26.2 miles I LOVE AVERAGE!

And furthermore, I didn't start running to be the best or the fastest...I started running to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and that is my mission...to help find a cure! Every one of my honored heros ran those 26.2 miles with me - Allie, Georgia, James, Phillip, Griffin, Morgan and so many others who have battled such a horrible disease.

Thank you to all my friends and family you emailed, facebooked and messaged me. Your support is greatly appreciated. One FB message stuck with me and it was from an old college friend...he said, "this is something that can never be taken away from you" and that statement is so true. I will never forget October 31, 2010!

We didn't take alot of photos on this trip but the two above are my favorites. The first for obvious reasons - Robin and I with our medals!

The second - Will & I in front of the Lincoln Memorial - because no matter where life takes me, I will always have Will by my side. He provides a constant source of strength and encouragement and no matter how many events I enter whether its a 5k or a marathon...he will always be waiting for me at the finish line and that is better than any medal!



share on: FACEBOOK