Country Music Marathon - RunMarathon

Did not expect a lot from this run. I've been very run weary since the February marathon. If not for my friend Devon, I don't think I would have done as well as I did. She kept me focused for the 1st half and kept us both at a decent pace. That is until I fell in the 9th mile. Not sure what happened, I might have tripped on a defect in the road but a girl behind me apologized profusely so maybe I got tangled with her somehow. Skinned both knees pretty bad as well as my right shoulder. Got cleaned and bandaged some by the medical crew and went on.

After the half split, when I lost my running partner, I kept thinking why I didn't just finish with her at the half. I had a really good excuse. I was really not loving the course at that point. But I kept pushing. It was getting really hot and this was a wide open are with plenty of roadway to reflect the sun. Finally got to an area that was a bit more shady and felt a little better about things. I got to the turnaround spot of this leg and picked up a pretty good breeze. Headed toward Shelby Park and got pretty hot again but kept thinking I could really finish even if I had to walk. Ran as much as I could and walked when I needed. Most on the course were walking pretty consistanly, I wasn't running very fast, but I kept trying to run as much as I could. Coming back out of the park I knew I was on my way to the finish so was feeling pretty good. I was passing lots of walkers during the last 1/2 mile and kept thinking why did they want to walk to the finish. I wanted to finish this race running, and that I did. Had two girls that I was doing some leapfroging with pass me strong at the finish, hold hands, happy to finish together. Made me feel good to see them.

Walked the long walk back to look for my friends. Was supposed to meet at the beer tent, waited there for few minutes but spotted the medical tent and wanted to have my knees re-bandaged. Went back to the beer tent and waited a few more minutes then decided to check if they were at the care. The guy at the beer tent forced a beer on me. I don't normally like beer but this one was sooo cold, I actually enjoyed. it. Found my friends at the car, sat a bit and went to Red Robin for some real food.


Saw towels in the trash and realized they had been giving out wet ones to finishers, but must have ran out by the time I got there. It would have felt nice....