For the last 18 weeks, I've been training to run the Bellingham Bay Marathon with my dad (my first marathon, his second). Now, 440 miles, 66 hours of running, and one black toenail later, I am done!
While I'm very excited to be checking this item off my bucket list. I am also proud that I was able to run all 26.2 miles today with my dad and am loving the R&R I've able to enjoy now that we're back at home.
First, I have to say how very proud of my dad I am. At 55, nothing phases him - this week alone, he didn't taper off his running like the training program suggested (i.e. 3 miles Tuesday, 4 miles Wednesday and 2 miles Thursday with 2 days of rest before the race). Instead, he ran three 10 milers this week. And it showed - the race didn't phase him. He spent much if joking with the volunteers, asking them if we were almost done at mile 3, if we were running in the right direction for the 5K at mile 17, and also, somehow, managed to find the energy to cheer other runners on along the way while high-fiving the volunteers. Unbelievable.
He finished the race in an amazing 3, hours, 56 minutes only to rest for about 5 seconds and turn around and run to find me a ways behind him and run the last 1/2 mile AGAIN with me. He is truly an inspiration and a hero - I admire him and am so happy to call him my dad.
We picked a great race and race day. It was sunny and cool and the course is beautiful - you run along the bay, through cute neighborhoods and along the Interurban trail. The views were spectacular and some of the houses we passed must have been valued at $10+ million. The course was was relatively flat. Seriously - the first half was almost completely flat except for a short hill around mile 9. There were a few rolling hills between 10-15, a short but super steep hill at mile 17, and a bit of a hill at 22 miles. Overall, I can't complain about the hills. The distance, however, was another thing.
Most people told me the last 6 miles would be the hardest...for me, I found that the last 8 miles the worst. I felt fine up until mile 18 - my pace was pretty good (I think around 8:45ish on average) and was able to find continued energy with Scott, Corey and my mom cheering us along around mile 16, but by mile 18, my feet started to get really tired. There were 3-4 times that I told myself I should just stop and walk for a few minutes, but knowing myself, if I would have walked for a few minutes and then would now have not been able to start again. Instead, I slowed my pace down (to a a slog (12+ minute pace) between miles 24-26) . Seeing my dad running back towards me, fists pumping in the air, helped me finish my last 5 minutes of running and our cheering section (Scott, his girlfriend Anya, Corey and my mom) helped me pick up the pace for a strong finish line cross. I was so happy to be done!
I came home to flowers and a delicious smelling candle from Joan (who watched the pup for us) and an adorable Relaxation Kit made by the fabulous Natalie Gossett waiting for me. After a delightful soak in the tub, I'm relaxing on the couch, thinking about taking a nice, long nap.
Thanks for everyone's kind words of encouragement and well wishes throughout my training and most of all, today. I couldn't have done it without y'all cheering me along! A special thanks for Corey for putting up my running schedule, including early wake-up times and long Saturday runs, even after he had to make the call not to run the half today due to bad knee pains in the last few weeks. I look forward to running a race with him in the future! (Maybe this year's Seattle half, the Huntington Beach half in February or the Napa to Sonoma half next summer!)
Here are some photos from our stay in Bellingham and of the race! (More of Bellingham can be found on my Flickr site. More of the race can be found on Corey's Flickr site.)
Corey and I outside Mambo Italiano Cafe, the location of our carb-loading dinner before the race.
Parents outside the restaurant - they took us out to celebrate my upcoming birthday. So delish!
Scott and his gf Anya - she was a saint to meet the whole family at once, put up with us crazies over dinner, and to cheer us on at the end of the race!
All ready to head to the starting line.
Told you - he had all kinds of energy to joke around and show off his high steps.
Dad crossing the finish line with an official time of 3:56:57!
Dad crossing the finish line a second time with me as we attempt a high-five. (Official time: 4:10:26)
Cheers to being done! And here are some photos taken by the photographer at the race:
Congrats again on your marathon finish!! So impressive! Did you know that you are now part of the elite 0.1% of the world's population that has completed a marathon?* Pretty cool huh?!
ReplyDeleteBTW, you don't even look sweaty in any of those photos, how is that possible? I am a wet hot mess after 30 minutes of running let alone 4+ hours.
*Stat from my Google research and since the internet is never wrong it must be accurate.
Your comment is hilarious - totally laughing out loud right now.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fun fact! Someone else just told me that the other day - I had no idea!
I guess the 12+ minute mile pace at the end helped me not sweat too much? Plus it was REALLY cool when we started (like the low 40's).
Thanks for all your support and thanks again for the Relaxation Kit - it is awesome! I've already had some of the candy and the bath salts were AMAZING.
Jen, what an accomplishment! It's so awesome that you and your dad took on this challenge! I am loving the stories about your dad asking the volunteers if you are going in the right direction for the 5K at mile 17 and if you were almost finished at mile 3. Sure does sound like Kent! That's the best finish story, too----with him coming back so that you two could finish together.
ReplyDeleteI think your accomplishment calls for a fancy cocktail and dessert! Maybe something nice to sip on and the chocolate gelato with peanut butter caramel and sea salt at Oliver's Twist? Lets set a date!
Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how often I'm out running my measley 3 or 4 miles and I want to stop and I don't because of you. In fact, just yesterday, I was at the 2 mile mark and was just bored with running, but thought to myself, "Jenny is probably at the 20 mile mark now and won't stop, so get your ass in gear."
Thanks for being an inspiration!
Kels - A date with you, a fancy cocktail and a yummy dessert? Count me IN! Would love to see you soon. You around tomorrow night?
ReplyDeleteLisa - Aw thanks for the kind words! You are too sweet. Next time you are bored while running, start thinking of all the things that are worse that running (i.e. laundry, cleaning, yard work, what have you) and it'll seem less boring. :)