Avenue of the Giants Marathon

Hello and Happy Monday!

As most of you already know, a week ago I ran the absolute worst race of my life. Maybe not the worst, but definitely, without a doubt, the most painful. Despite the pain and agony, I finished, much slower than I had anticipated, but I finished. I wanted to share this experience with you, so you can step inside what it felt like to be me for 26.2 miles. :o)

But also, I wanted to share it with you because there will be times when you, too, will want to quit and give up or give in on your quest for a more healthful life or beautiful body. The mind is a powerful tool, and the body is also a miraculous machine. I’m not suggesting going through what I went through, but remember, you can do whatever it is that you put your mind to. Most definitely!

Redwoods Marathon

Avenue of the Giants Marathon. The day came and went, and I am still in quite a bit of pain, although it is slowly subsiding (whew!). Like I had mentioned, a week before the marathon, I had pulled a deep glute muscle, and despite the fact that it “felt” healed a week later for my run, I knew in my heart that a pulled muscle takes much more time to heal than a week. But I hoped for the best-and yes, I finished (much slower than I had planned! 😦 Oh well.)

At mile 2, I felt the butt acting up, but I was cruising…hitting 7:30-7:45 mile pace-probably too fast, but I thought “ah, what the heck, just go with it while you are feeling moderately okay”.

Dumb choice. By mile 15, everything started falling apart. Hips, quads, hamstrings, feet-literally, everything started falling apart. I began to worry and even considered stopping. But…I kept on…desperately searching for each mile marker…and wondering if someone was secretly pushing them farther and farther apart with each mile. Bastards! No, just my mind playing marathon tricks on me.

By mile 20, I felt a pep of energy, but by mile 23, I thought I had pepples in my shoe, only to realize that no pebbles could have gotten into my shoe-it was my toenails falling off! Mile 24, tears started falling-and I have to honestly say that I’ve never cried during a race or a workout in my life, but I guess there is a first for everything. I was just so desperate to see the finish line. A gentleman joined me at mile 25 or so, thankfully…for a few minutes he took my mind off the race because I knew he was in severe pain as well.

More tears at mile 26, and as graceful as Gumbi, I ran to the finished line as fast as my legs could take me. As good as I felt to cross the line and finish, I could not stop my tears from flowing-I was just so overwhelmed at the pain I had felt for so many miles. Makes you wanna run a marathon, eh?

All in all, my trip to the Redwoods was incredible. I knew going up there that this trip was not about running an amazing marathon, but experiencing something otherworldly. I learned quite a bit about myself and what I am capable-a lot! A week ago, I told myself never again, but this week, I am healed and ready to run the marathon I know I still have in me. The search is on!

Have a beautiful day!
~Jeannette