Fitness Friday || Memories of a Marathon [Quitting Was Never An Option]

 

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

It's still hard to believe it's over. The race has been run. The memories are forever.

Chicago was beautiful. We arrived early enough Saturday morning to take a walk through a park and along Michigan Avenue.

Packet pick up and have the DTAG scanned to activate. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach at this point.

Ready for tomorrow. Set my goal at 4:30 and signed up to join the Nike Pace Team.

Words that inspire!

At the expo there were 3 large walls listing the names of every runner. Found mine right...there!

Actually running the race. A beautiful morning and it only took about 15 minutes to get across the start line. I found my pace group and stuck close to Marie. She was running her 112th marathon so I figured she must know what she is doing. I was right! She was fun, encouraging and at about mile 15-16 she said to me, "You've got this Jill!" At that point I was 2 minutes ahead of my goal time and feeling stronger than ever. It was the best and easiest 15 miles I have ever run. 

Then, the split second decision of one runner changed that for me when he decided to stop right in front of me. As he stopped and I tried to prevent myself from falling over him I landed on my right food and immediately felt a stabbing pain in my right calf. I thought maybe it just tightened up or minor cramping so I ran past two emergency aid stations. By the third one I could barely run on it. So I stopped just to have it wrapped and to get Tylenol. The EMT tried to convince me to quit the race. All I could think about was if he would hurry I can try to make up the time. He kept asking "are you sure?" No I wasn't sure I would be ok but I was sure quitting was not an option. So, I just ran. One step became one mile. One mile finally became the finish. I didn't meet my goal. I couldn't return to my miles 1-15 pace. Still, quitting was not an option. 

(Proofs from Marathonfoto. I will be ordering a few of these)

I cried twice somewhere between mile 17 and the finish. Not because of the pain. The first time was when it occurred to me [for a split second] that I might not be able to finish. The second time was when I finished.

Since then I've gone over the whole race in my head a million times. I'm planning a do-over in 2012. I've been frustrated and angry off an on since that day. Cried 2 more times. And finally with all sincerity can say, "look what I accomplished! I ran 26.2 miles!"

This was the day I decided to stop beating myself up and taking away the glory that is finishing. Christie O

Now that my biggest goal for 2011 has been accomplished I'm thinking even more about 2012. Thinking about do I really want to run an ultra, trying a different marathon training program, possibly running the Colorado Ragnar Relay, and yes, even a few non-running/fitness goals too. 

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That brings me to a new giveaway generously sponsored by The Run Home! To get you thinking about looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

The Run Home is your home for unique, handcrafted running inspired and inspirational and motivational jewelry and ornaments! We love to make items that we love, related to everything we love! We strive to make beautiful, affordable jewelry to celebrate life!

 I love this necklace. Love the words, dream and believe. A little reminder on those less than great days. Seeing the 2012 reminds me of the promise of a new year and the endless possibilities. Debbie's shop is a great place to start your Christmas wishlist!

                                                               How to Enter

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower or my blog.
2. Leave a comment and tell me what goals you have accomplised in 2011 and/or what goals you have in mind for 2012.
3. Visit The Run Home and leave a comment on a favorite charm or necklace.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a new comment on a non-giveaway [Fitness, Health and Happiness] post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog. 
4. Post about the giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a comment for each entry and include an email address. Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 29, 2011.  If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, The Run Home generously donated the necklace free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

Now the link up!

 

Comments

[Christy]

Posted on my FB page

[Christy]

I like the Believe half marathon necklace

[Falon]

New blog follower! Glad I found you, I ran chicago too... first marathon. I'm sorry that someone just stopped like that. It seemed like so many people just gave up around mile 16 to the finish and lost all sense of runner courtesy.

[Amy]

I'm a follower and my goals for 2011 are going well... I beat my 5K PR - which was a huge one for me. I don't think I will make the 1000 mi though. *sigh* My own darn fault though.

2012? I really am looking at a marathon. Scary for me!

[Amy]

I LOVE the run wrap bracelet. I am thinking of adding it to my Christmas list!

[Amy]

I am adding this to my blog.

[Amy]

And, I've commented on quite a few of your other blog entries - you are on my regular "to read" rotation!

[Madelyn]

became follower of blog.

[Madelyn]

So far this year I've lost just about 25 lbs and will be completing my first 10k next weekend. Next year I'm hoping to do a half.

[Madelyn]

I like the 10k running necklace.

[Madelyn]

posting on my blog