What a weekend!

Finally, all those months of training, visits to the sports doc and massage therapist, money spent on every type of running apparel and equipment, not to mention the recurring injuries I have endured, I finished my marathon 13 minutes slower than my anticipated goal time but a 38 minute improvement over my first marathon in 2002.

I clocked in at 4:12:10 and all my leg muscles were spastic and sore and my ability to think clearly was non-existent. But I completed my second marathon and I can't wait to start training for the next one in five months!

I must admit that I wasn't mentally prepared during the race. Seeing the rebound-ex at the pasta party the evening before the race was a bit unnerving. And then at mile 22 when my mind started to waver and my jello legs were telling me that I was just about to hit the infamous "wall", Mr. Rebound literally rebounds out of nowhere onto the course right in front of me to run along side another TnT runner. I was completely thrown off and nearly smacked into him. But I ran around them.

And I wasn't in top physical form either after slipping and falling on my knees (again) while waiting for the shuttle bus at the hotel lobby 5am race morning because the janitor decided it was the best time to mop the floors. I've got such great luck! So, I had these wonderful bruises on my arms and knees to start the day off right. Thank goodness the weather was below freezing all morning to numb the pain and keep the swelling down. Nevermind that I couldn't feel my fingers.

But I'm still proud and happy that I finished the race. Now, I walk slowly with a slight limp and I have to go down staircases backwards but I have never felt better than I do now.