Wow, I just completed my 15th marathon and it feels pretty good! The day of the race was a perfect day for a marathon... Overcast and in the mid-40's. The race started at 7:00 am, so I left the house by 5:30 am and picked up MARTA to get to Centennial Olympic Park, the starting line. I got there in plenty of time, and stood near the baggage claim area refusing to take off my warm layers until the very last minute. The wind was almost too much to bear. I thought I was going to get hypothermia as I stood there shaking like a leaf! I couldn't believe it when I'd see others in shorts/tank tops, walking around as if they didn't notice the cold. Finally I stripped down to shorts and a long sleeve top, checked my baggage, and made my way to the start. My goal for this race was simply to finish... to finish healthy, with no injuries, and to log the 26 miles that were required of me to complete my training for the Boston Marathon, which is exactly 3 weeks later. I have been struggling with IT band issues since last July, and have taken quite a bit of time off. This was my first marathon in the last year! Boston '07 was my last one... The race was pretty uneventful and quiet. Last year as I ran this, unbeknownst to me, Ethan was suffering from the rotovirus, and after completing ING Georgia '07, little did I know I'd be heading to the ER that night for a three-night stay. This time around, there was no drama. Eric was out of town and Nana was taking care of the children. I felt very good the entire race. Nothing like a little ibuprofen. Had hoped to finish between 4:15 at the fastest, to 4:30. I wanted a slow but steady pace to keep me injury-free and on track for a speedy recovery. During the race, I stayed on pace for a 4:12 and just couldn't seem to slow down. I felt like Forrest Gump: When I had to drink, I drank... When it was time to walk, I walked... When I had to, well, pee, I pee'd... (sorry)... When it was time to call the fam, I called... (never marathon without a cellphone!) When it was time to eat random foods from strangers like gummy worms and pretzels, I ate. It was like a buffet out there. No matter what I did, my pace remained the same and I finished in 4:12-something. I was very uneventful, and sort of a lonely marathon. It is not going down as one of my favorites, but more of an obligatory marathon to get me to "the big show." I didn't run with anyone or meet anyone like I always do. I did see some of my running buddies who were volunteering, so I did feel like I had my own fan club/cheering section for one part of the race. That's the bonus of a hometown marathon. I was slightly sore for a day or two afterwards, which was somewhat disappointing, since for many of my "training run" marathons, I'm fine. However, it was been almost a year since going the distance, and almost 6 weeks from my 24 mile run, so I'll take it. My biggest concern was whether I did any acute damage to my muscles during the race. No IT band issues makes for one happy runner! I now feel like I'm cleared for Boston, having jumped that final hurdle.
The Boston Marathon is April 21st, and it will be my third Boston (second post-kids). Eric and I will be making the journey this year together, and Grandma will be taking care of Lauren and Ethan. The Women's Olympic Marathon Trials are taking place in Boston the day before the Boston Marathon, so I will have the honor of witnessing this fantastic, exciting event! Stay tuned for a Boston Race Report and photos. Until then...
Gotta Run!
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