Jim, Jenni, Russ, Robin, Mary F., Ali, Pam, Jennifer, Mary R., Jeremy, Helen
Jim, Jenni, Russ, Robin, Mary F., Ali, Pam, Jennifer, Helen, Jeremy, Lori
Carbo up, gang!As Helen and I drove home today, we clocked how far it was from the Sherman exit to my driveway. It was still 3 miles shy of 26.2 miles. All of a sudden it dawned on me that completing a marathon was going to be a lot tougher than I thought. Even though I've followed the plan to the letter, done my cross training, lost some weight, and researched every aspect I could think of, it still comes down to one thing - putting in the miles on your feet. Today was my toughest day yet. Faced with an IT Band injury and calf cramps at mile 15, I had to walk much of the remaining 5 miles. All those doubts came rushing back to me. What if this happens in Chicago? What have I worked so hard for these last four months? What will my family, friends, and fellow runners think of me? Will I still get free beer tickets?
So as I walked (and ask Robin - I walk almost faster than I run), I thought about all the challenges over the last few months all of us have faced and how it's tough to think that maybe this isn't going to go as well as we planned. It took a lot of self-talk, a few rounds of show tunes (what happens on the trail stays on the trail) and the encouragement of experienced and new marathoners back at Panera to make me realize: Wow! In just a few weeks, come hell or high water, running or walking, the Springfield HalfWits Gone Wild are going to complete the Chicago Marathon! I know for myself, completing a marathon is something I never dreamed I would have the sisu to do. Sisu means never giving up - no matter how hard you have to work - no guts, no glory. Yet here I am on my front porch, the afternoon sun warming my body and soul. I am a little tired and sore, but I know I've worked hard to get to this point. And I feel pretty darn good despite a tough run.
So as I left Panera to drive the long way back to Lincoln, I refilled my coffee cup and decided: today, I'm skipping the skim milk. I deserve a little half 'n half in my hazelnut coffee today.
See you all of the roads,
Mary
And in the middle of the race, when you feeling like giving up, check out the pictures above (ignore the dates - camera error). Note that we are smiling before AND after our run today. Visualize the finish line. Visualize the smile on your face afterwards. The marathon is a popular challenge - if it were easy - anyone could do it. And maybe that's why we're just a little more half-witted than others.
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29 comments:
hello!
i'm italian
your blog is beautiful
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by
Today was great!! We are all winners, we completed week 15!! Whatever happens in Chicago, I know that we all have accomplished more today than most of the population, we completed 20 miles!! I'm sore, and my calves are crying, but I know my weak areas now. Thanks everyone for the support that we get from each other every week.
Gosh Mary, I loved your blog. This one was the best yet...
All of you are so wonderful for what you have done today...
You are all so AWESOME!!!! I am excited for you, and can't WAIT to hear your stories when you DO finish!!!! :):):)
I really HATE repeating anything Emily says, but you guys really are awesome. Every one of you. I'm completely impressed by the work you've done and the dedication and discipline you've shown. To run is to win!
Mary:
(with my best Italian accent)...yes, your blog is beautiful. Would you like to join me at my mountain villa!!!
Gotta love SPAM.
Hey: take it from someone who knows, it does not matter what happens on marathon race day. You WILL get through the marathon, even if you walk the whole damn thing! And it will be the greatest experience of your life!
Just to re-cap Tim's 2003 (his one and only marathon) Chicago Marathon:
FIRST 13.1 MILES IN 1:55
(hey, I'm right on pace...I can do this...I'll get in under four hours...all these people along the side are awesome...what about those crazy guys in Boys Town in cheerleader outfits...the Cubs are going to beat the Marlins tonight and FINALLY get to the World Series...what marathon should I run next...hey, is that guy only wearing a leopard print Speedo and bow tie?...etc, etc....)
SECOND 13.1 MILES IN 3:28
(I want to die...this absolutely sucks...am I the ONLY person walking...I want to lay down on the side of the road in the fetal position...why do I have four feet when I look at them...God, why is this soooo long...the south side of Chicago sucks...I wish these damn people would stop telling me I am almost there...it's really only mile 21...I hate those Team in Training bastards...etc, etc...).
In the end, even though I completely collapsed in the second half of my marathon, even though I felt like so much crap that I could not even drink a beer after I finished the race, I DID made it across the finish line, AND I GOT MY FINISHERS MEDAL. No one can take that experince away from me. It was the coolest running experience I have ever had (well...I really do like kissing the bricks at Indy) and it was the greatest adversity I have ever had to overcome in a race (yes, I did throw-up at mile 20).
Yes, you WILL do it! I know you will and the rest of the Half Wits know you will.
You guys rock!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ciao.
Tim B,
I laughed so hard at your message above, I almost forgot about the pain in my quads for a few seconds! Thanks for sharing a real-life experience for those of us "non-elite" athletes to relate to. It gives me a little more confidence to hear stories from vets that aren't all roses and sunshine. It reinforces that yes, it's gonna suck out there. BUT, getting through the tough stuff makes victory that much sweeter.
And thanks to ALL those voicing support for the 2006 Half Wits. We need every bit of it! Running the faces of supporters back home through my head in the last half will keep me motivated. Its a long race, so I need ALOT of faces!
The magical thing about Springfield runners is the part where you give back what you have received. After a victory, many have turned around and helped make the road a little bit softer for those following behind. So cool. Thanks, guys.
To my fellow Half Wits: What can I say that hasn't already been said? AMAZING!! You all look so satisfied, radient, and healthy after the battle. How come I look like I got hit by a bus?
Hey guys, I believe we can all do this. If we have to walk half of it, so be it. We'll get through and laugh about the experience at the hospitality tent with beers in hand.
Tim, I'm still laughing at your comments. Austin was in the other room and heard me cracking up and asked what was so funny? I read what you wrote (bleeped out the naughty words) and he said "Mom, that was like your experience, and you said you would never run another marathon again" I wanted to tell him he was grouded for a month but I said "Yes, Tim is a half wit but I'm a half with gone wild!!!!!" lol, lol.
We're at taper time now guys so we have made it through the hard part of training but the best is still yet to come! We can do this!
Mary, can you make copies of the half wits gone wild picture please? It is really cute.
P.S. got your message but I was feeding my face eating chili cheese dogs last night. You guys should be glad I' m not running with you guys today, lol. I think the reservations were for 16 at 6:00, or 6:30? I'll call to confirm.
I'll make copies and I'll crop out the bad date!
Pam - Chili cheese dogs?? You are so bad. I ate a Krekles double cheese burger with bacon (my favorite bad food, but no mayo -too many calories) and ended up in bed at 10pm. I slept until 10 this morning - 12 hours!
And I'm seriously thinking of scouting out a Starbucks on the route and taking a few bucks with me and getting a cup of coffee. Can I do that? The guy on a commercial did. I won't be winning any races, but how cool would that be????? So I'll lose a few minutes: who's counting?
How funny Tim! Your story really takes the edge off knowing that we don't have to be in perfect form to run the marathon. After all this training I believe my body was just not made to run this far. But being with a bunch of Half Wits we or I didn't know any better. There is no way I would have stuck with the training with out you wonder people. Thank you so much for helping me with one of the greatest challeges of my life. And by the way Mary, Whats the buzz tell me whats a happenin.
LOL Tim! Do you talk that way to Wendy at times? No wonder why she gets trips to Tiffany's!!!!
Oh Barry! You didn't have any problems making any comments when we were running together last week as I took my cell out of my back pocket!!!
What buzz? I want to know too!
EMILY--No, I had no problem making comments about you sticking your cell phone up your, um, back pocket, but I wasn't REPEATING anything you said. Repeating you is the part I didn't like.
But these Half Wits are truly awesome.
What's the buzz, tell me what's happenin . . . . what's the buzz . . . tell me . . . what's happenin . . . is a song from Jesus Christ Superstar.
When do we ride into Jerusalem . . . when do we ride into Jerusalem . . . into Jerusalem . . . .
Oh Darn, I thought it was something juicy!
Hey, I read on the "ChicagoMarathon.com" website that we had to cut down on our calories because we're cutting down on our mileage. Makes sense but I was having so much fun intaking 5,000 calories a day. Better cut back or I'm going to be the only "marathoner-in-training" to have gained 20 pounds instead of losing.
Yes, what happens on the trail stays on the trail unless it gets stuck on your shoes, lol. Oh, your gross Mary!!!! How could you think of that?
My Dear Barry, I was driving down Koke Mill today and saw another dead cat... do you know anything about this?!?!?!
(Just in case, if anyone was wondering, I really do love Barry!)
Emily, the constitution says I don't have to incriminate myself. Besides, I love cats. Had a really good one for dinner . . .
Barry, baby - you got it! Off my favorite LP! That and the Osmond Brothers Crazy Horses! Oh, and this Sinatra stuff - hmmmm, so cool!
Seriously, though, exactly where was the cell phone going, 'cause I know where E was storing her beer at the party and I wasn't with her on that run she was trying to stash the cell phone!
You guys are all awesome for sticking with us - regardless if you're running Chicago or merely rolling over in bed saying, "glad it's not me", you're truly half-witted for sure. And Pam, remember - we run so we can eat AND drink - "Drinkers With a Running Problem" DWARPS. We could changed it to EWARPS, but we'd have to get new shirts made, so lay off the chilli dogs and start drinking margaritas!
Mary
oh, gosh - this is funny! Pam, are you going to have to carry some bushes or leaves with you to mimic the same environment so you'll feel "comfortable"? How funny! We were on the motorcycle today and Troy said - look all the corn is coming down - you won't have anywhere to go! Well, then there's another reason why I'M SO GLAD THE LONG RUNS ARE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim - I echo Russ' sentiments: thanks for starting the HalfWits - you've encouraged a lot of runners along the way!
And Russ, I was looking back at some old emails and one of them said, that there was NO way you were going to do HalfWits - too far to run! What a difference a year has made!
Pam and Russ (and Ali, too)- thanks for setting out water during these long runs. We all appreciate it!
You guys really have been a great group to run with. I only wish I could have been a little farther in my training so I could have gone to Chicago with you this year. I'll have to see if I can get it on my schedule for next year.
There was a group of us running together Saturday that were talking about how to hold extra gu packs for the marathon. Some ideas passed around were of course the RaceReady shorts ($40-50 at www.raceready.com) or a fuel belt with the extra pack to hold the gu. I mentioned that at the half in St. Charles I used another method and probably will do the same unless I happen to come across a pair of shorts before then. What I did was to get a race belt from the Running Center ($8). This of course holds your number by using either clips (if you order it online) or snaps (from the running center). This keeps your number off your clothes so you can shed them if necessary. Then I took some rubber bands and wrapped them a couple of times around the race belt. This allowed me to hold the gu sideways on the belt. I put 2 packs on the belt for St. Charles and it didn't interfere with my running at all. All it takes to remove them is one hand on the rubberband and one on the gu pack. I would think that I should be able to get a couple more on there without any problems. You just have to experiment with how many times to loop the rubber bands around and how many you can put on it and still run comfortably.
Anyway, Mary R. wanted me to post it. Works pretty well if you are looking for a lower cost option. I didn't see anybody else doing this in St. Charles, but I also think that a lot of the people I saw were relying completely on the race staff to provide them their water and fuel (1 gu at mile 8 I think).
Jeremy, thanks, that is a good idea. I'll have to try it out on my next run.
Mary and Russ, Thanks for thinking of me and my goose problem. You will just have to call me Mother Goose from now on. Or better yet, just call me Goose. Mother Goose sounds too old. Goose from Top Gun sounds better. I'm going to get a map and see where all the porta potties are so I will have a plan to stop at each and every one. That will add about an hour to my time. I sure hope I don't have that problem in the marathon. I'll be pushing people over to get to the trees.
Cell phone story...
I was running in front of Barry, my cell rang. As I was having trouble unzipping my back pocket to get the phone out as well as trouble just getting my cell out, Barry liked how I was just well~~~~ messing with my rear!!!!
God Luv Ya Barry!!!!
Well there's an upside and a downside to being out of sync with the group. While you guys are recovering from your marathon and basking in your post-race glory I'll be slugging out the 18 and 20 milers, possibly by myself.
Emily - just be glad there were no cameras around to get a "Name That rear" shot while you were adjusting things!
If only I could download the pictures in my head, Anne, you would know how Emily looked pulling her cell phone out of her, um, pocket. And putting it back after the call.
Emily, you're still the only person I've seen who could take a phone call in the middle of a run! You AMAZE me!
So how is this Miles and Margaritas going to work? What time are we running and from where? And are we going right to Xochimilco after the run? Or are we meeting back at a later time?
YOU amaze ME!!! :)
(I think this is looooove!!!!)
;) ;) ;)
"KEEP IT STRONG!!!!"
(Barry's famous quote for the Half Wits)
Okay - meet at Xohci's parking lot at 5:30. I'm working on the run right now - 4 miles. Then we come back and drink and eat. See how easy it is?
And once I recover, I'll be glad to run like you did SAturday - turn around at the easy part!
Seriuously - I'm sure there will be people we can hook up to run with you!
Barry - you only run 'cause you're looking at our butts - I know that. You just follow the cutest girl, and lo, and behold, you became a runner along the way!
Emily - bluetooth all the way, girl!
Mary, did you HAVE to bust me like that? I thought it was our secret!
oh, sh!t, did I say that out loud? Sorry, Barry - thought I was talking to the voices in my head.
oh, sh!t, did I say that out loud? Sorry, Barry - thought I was talking to the voices in my head.
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