Wow…where to begin?! My experience at the White Rock Marathon was nothing short of amazing. I learned so much about myself and my incredible support system that day. I have run the half marathon at White Rock three times and I have always said that White Rock equals MAGIC and that held true again this year. There was the one year that I was exhausted from a weekend of playing concerts at the Winspear Opera House and woke up just hoping to finish the race….and I broke two hours for the first time, and then last year when I was dealing with some very frustrating hip pain…and ran my third fastest time ever. See? Magic! And it looks like White Rock brought magic again this year. When I work up that morning it was in the upper thirties and raining and I had no reason to truly believe that I would have FUN while running. Yep, you heard me…I had FUN.
The whole week before the race was filled with words of love, support, and encouragement from my friends and family. I remembered thinking that I should run a marathon EVERY week because I have not felt that much positive energy in a long time. I was very calm the whole week leading up to the race; I don’t think that I ever really experienced that “taper madness” that people speak of. I had no doubts that I would finish the race and I had no doubts that I would have a positive experience. I really did trust my training and I knew that I was prepared. The only thing that caused me slight concern was the forecast of rain, but Erik and my runner friends were so positive telling me that the rain was not really a factor and what a great day it would be for running. I really owe them a thank you because they had me believing that a little rain was nothing to freak out about.
Lunch at Taco Joint
The Saturday before the race was filled with friends and food. Several of us met for lunch at Taco Joint before heading to the race expo. It was a big moment when I got to go to the “full marathon” side to pick up my race bib. I have gone to the “half marathon” side so many times and I didn’t really think that I would EVER run a full marathon. The race expo was a blur—I didn’t get to shop very much because we ran into so many running friends (frunners) and had to stop and chat each time. I remember that I felt incredibly lucky to have made so many friends from running—what a great “problem” to have, right? We met some more running folks for a carb-filled dinner at Bucca di Beppo and then it was off to the house to prepare all of my stuff for the race.
The Full Marathon Line...it is for REAL
I was torn over what to wear as I tend to warm up pretty quickly while running, but I also knew that the rain would be a factor. I ended up selecting a long sleeve shirt and running tights over my compression sleeves with a beanie and some gloves. I went back and forth over wearing a jacket, but I have never run in one before and didn’t want to try it on this day. I tucked an 89 cent rain poncho from Academy in my shirt pocket before heading out the door. That 89 cent poncho ended up saving my tail.
I have to mention that SiriusXM radio has a great sense of humor—I heard “No Rain” and “Run To The Water” during my drive to Fair Park and the race starting line. It is things like this that make me laugh at the whole situation. I arrived a little bit later than I planned to and missed the group meet up, but was able to find Gretchen (my marathon race buddy) without too much trouble and we headed to our starting corral. I was thrilled because I saw Mark L, Felix, and Cairo go by on their way to the start. It was great to get a hug and encouragement right before the starting gun fired.
One of the things that I love about White Rock Marathon is how it is just ELECTRIC at the start—fireworks, music, EXCITEMENT! While many of the same effects were still there, it was a bit muted by the rain. Gretchen and I had to wait about twenty minutes to cross the starting line and while we were standing there it started to rain again. The timing of that rain saved my tail…it was then that I decided to get that poncho out of my pocket and put it on…and I didn’t take it off until I was finished and had the medal around my neck.
Meanwhile While I Was Running...
We got off to a good start, the corral system seemed to work well and we didn’t have to get around many slower runners. The rain got heavier a few miles into the race and I knew that it was just going to be something that we would have to deal with all day. I tried really hard to dodge puddles because I wanted my feet to stay dry for as long as possible. I tend to be blister prone and even though I had covered my feet in both Body Glide and Vaseline, I was still worried.
In my
last blog entry, I asked for words of advice from experienced marathoners to a rookie. I really drew upon those words during the race and they even carried me at times. So if you were one of those people who shared your wisdom with me…THANKS…you don’t know how much I relied on it during the challenging moments. A common theme was “take it all in” and “smile, have fun” and that is what I did. If a band was playing, I sang the words out loud at the top of my lungs. I tried to look at all of the spectators and take in their faces, signs, and cheers. I knew that standing still in the cold rain was much harder than running. It meant a lot to have them there on a day like that.
Gretchen and I knew that our friends
Corina, Marci, and Cassie would be cheering for us at certain points along the course and we really looked forward to seeing their faces along the way. They were dressed in bright yellow tutus (covered by rain ponchos) and were making lots of noise with egg shakers and a tambourine (think that they are friends with a music therapist?) and they called themselves “Operation Sunshine”. They will never know how much their presence helped me along that day. We also knew that Erik would be waiting at the Dolly Pardon Hills (mile 21) with the other Dollys and would be running in with us. The race course really showcases some of the best parts of Dallas and I love running through the Arts District and in front of the stately homes on Beverly Drive. Fall comes a little bit later here in Texas and the trees were beautiful shades of orange and yellow against the backdrop of Christmas decorations.
Operation Sunshine
Gretchen was an amazing race buddy. Early in the race she asked me what words she could say to me if and when I started to struggle. She wanted me to say “suck it up, buttercup” to her and I chose “you are stronger than you think”. We never had to use those phrases on each other, but I know that I thought about mine several times. She also had the race divided by her “9, 9, 9” plan (9 miles, 9 miles, and a little less than 9 at the end) and that really seemed to help. It really began to seem real when we got to the half marathon split…oh how many times had I taken that shorter route…but not today…today I was taking the long way. (Incidentally Dixie Chicks song “Taking The Long Way” came up on my ipod as I got ready to leave for the race). Around mile 11.5 we passed the RAW (Grapevine Runners) aide station and I saw so many frunner faces there. They were all so helpful and welcoming, again another bright spot on the road. Staci (Tini) was super helpful getting water and Gatoraide for Gretchen and me as we passed through. We passed Operation Sunshine again somewhere around mile 12 and I was still taking it all in, smiling, and having an awesome time.
Mile 12 is where we hit White Rock Lake and that is where the challenge really began. Remember those words of advice that I drew from? Cat had a gem for me—don’t ditch your gloves before you get to the lake…remember that the “other” side is often cold and windy. She is pretty brilliant because the wind hit right on cue. My gloves were soaking wet by then and I wondered if it would be better to take them off, but I trusted Cat’s wise words and I’m glad that I did. Mile 12 is also where I started to have an unusual pain that moved from my hip to my hamstring to my knee and back….it was frustrating because I had NEVER experienced this pain before (and I haven’t since). Looking back it was probably caused from running on wet surfaces, jumping puddles, and wearing soaked, heavy shoes. The good news is that as long as I took time at the aide stations to stretch then the pain was very manageable. The bad news is that it added about a minute per mile from 13 until the end (frustrating), but I wasn’t about to let that get me down.
Somewhere Around Mile 12
White Rock Lake was the hardest part of the whole marathon. Erik and I have been coming to White Rock every weekend for our long runs for several years now—so I feel like I know every inch of the path. I knew where it would be windy and I knew just how far it was from one point to the next. It was during this section of the marathon I felt like Gretchen was dragging me and I worked really hard to not hold her back too much. Remember those words of advice—I kept drawing on them and “smile” was in my mind quite often during this stretch. Again, I looked at the volunteers and knew that they were having a much harder time that I was. Winfrey Point is a tough part of the lake for me and a constant thorn in my side. It is a half mile around that point and it is often the most extreme section of the lake (hottest in the summer, windiest in the spring, coldest in the winter, etc). Like clockwork, we approach Winfrey Point and the wind picks up and the rain comes down harder….and my ipod begins playing “Beautiful Day” Seriously? How could I NOT laugh at that!? Awesome Bono, just awesome.
We came off the lake around mile 20 and I stopped for a short restroom break. This was the first time I took off my gloves and I had trouble moving my fingers! I didn’t realize just how cold my hands had gotten. I was working hard to get to mile 21 because those are the Dolly Pardon Hills and that is where Erik would be waiting to run in with me. I also knew that Operation Sunshine would be there with dry gloves and clementines for me. I remember looking at Gretchen and saying “we have just run 20 miles girl!” In some way it seemed as if it had gone by so fast. I heard a spectator say “you are going to make it!” and I started to get excited about getting to that finish line…this was really going to happen!
At The Dolly Pardons-Mile 21
I was so relieved to climb that hill and see Erik, Operation Sunshine, and the Dollys waiting for me. I remember running up and saying “who wants to rub my butt” hoping that someone would be able to work that little ache/cramp out of my muscles. Erik was on it but it didn’t seem to help too much. Marci poked clementines in my mouth, shoved dry gloves on my hands (with hand warmers inside!) and we posed for a few pictures. Poor Erik was shivering and was ready to start running so that he could warm up. We lost Gretchen in the shuffle—she started to get cold when she stopped so she kept on moving. I could see her bright pink calf sleeves just ahead of us for the last few miles of the race.
Erik goes to work...
I never hit “the wall” during this race and I think that Erik was a huge part of that. Having him with me for those last five miles was just what I needed to lift my spirits, he knew just what to say and was so supportive. Frunners Liza and Vi were also nearby and it was great to see some familiar faces. I was still taking stretch breaks at each water stop, but my legs were feeling better as we went. The mind is a funny thing, isn’t it? I should note that I had not been watching my watch any during this race. Gretchen and I just ran a comfortable pace the entire time and we actually stayed fairly consistent. I spare you the long list of splits, miles 1-13 averaged just under 10:00 min miles and 14-26 were in the 11:15 minute range for an average of 10:39 for the whole race and a finish time of 4:42:49
The last five miles are a bit of a blur to me. I remember the beautiful houses along Swiss Avenue, the spectators, and the bands (one was playing Brown Eyed Girl) and focusing on Erik who was running just ahead of me. Soon enough I could see the buildings at Fair Park and I knew that the end was very near. Again, drawing from the advice given to me, I tried to take everything in and really savor the moment. I was about to be a MARATHONER! It was all pretty overwhelming and I started to get a quiver chin as we rounded the bend and entered Fair Park.
A Toast With Gretchen!
Erik peeled away and I went on to cross the finish line…I had done it. I will never forget that feeling as I let the tears come freely. Wow. “Do your best” my dad had said…and I did. The advice that I had heard the most during my training was “don’t set any time goals for yourself on your first marathon” and “finishing should be your only goal” and “run your first one for a good time, not a fast time.” I really tried to draw on that advice and quiet my inner perfectionist. Am I pleased with my time? Not exactly, but I did the best that I could on the day that I was given. That is something running twenty-nine half marathons has taught me. Do I know that I can do better? Heck yes! And I can’t wait to try again…and soon. But for now I will be proud of the fact that I ran a marathon, and I ran it as strongly as I could, and I have recovered well. I ran a marathon on a day when many people chose not to leave their houses because it was so cold and rainy.
I am a marathoner.
(Thanks again to Corina and Gretchen for the pictures!)
The Saturday following White Rock Marathon brought a new and unique running experience. The Great North Texas Santa Run benefited My Possibilities, a continued learning center for adults with cognitive disabilities in North Texas--a cause that is near to my heart. I could not have planned a more perfect run for a week after a cold and rainy first marathon. The race had a very lofty goal--to set a world record for most runners dressed like Santa Clause. Race registration included a Santa suit complete with hat, beard, and belt. We all wore race bibs, but they were just for show as there was no official timer or prizes. See--perfect low stress run after months of high intensity training!
