Hey everyone! Well… I DID IT! I finished my first marathon! The whole journey- from training to the actual marathon day was just an amazing experience. Lots of hard work, dedication, and discipline ….but in the end…when all is said and done…it was completely worth every bit of effort I put into preparing for this race. Well…enough of that. Here is the race recap:
On Saturday my sister and I went for a slow 3 miles run at home and then headed the Expo:
We first go our Bibs/bag/shirt and then ventured around the room to various vendors. It was tempting to buy everything but I only ended up buying some Sport beans (for the race), a pair of running gloves, and THE STICK:
I am sure a lot you of know what this is… but if you do not….its basically like a Foam Roller… a deep massage for your muscles…to increase flexibility, endurance, improve strength, accelerate recovery time, and to prepare muscles for activity (yes I got that from the website…can you tell? haha). Anyway—it really makes your muscles feel fantasticcccc. I have a foam roller but honestly…its a pain in the butt to use and its hard to get each muscle well. This is much more convenient…and I will definitely be using it a lot to try to “Accelerate my recovery”
My sister and I took a picture under a fake finish line:
After the expo, we stopped at DiBruno Bros on our walk home to get some things for dinner….and here is the finished products:
After dinner, we settled down to a little bit of Rocky…yes we are THAT cool. and no I absolutely did not put the song on my ipod and get unbelieveably pumped up to the point that I almost started punching the air during race. haha actually I did… but I did not actually punch the air…that would have been a bit weird. but one part of the race did have a photo station (and they had a loud speaker letting you know that you were approaching it) and so I threw up my arms like rocky…hopefully it came out good!
We went to bed early and woke up at 4 AM to eat, went back to bed for 45 minutes, and woke up to get ready. I actually had a dream during the night that I was running in the race. I woke up to find myself lying in bed. No where near the start or finish of the race. that was a major let down let me tell you hahaa…. Once we were ready…we went downstairs, grabbed a cab, and went to the starting area (the art museum- the stairs that rocky ran up in the movie for those of you who do not know Philly).
the Race:
Mile 1: 8:10.89 Mile 14: 8:21
Mile 2: 7:48.33 Mile 15: 8:11
Mile 3: 7:51 Mile 16: 8:17
Mile 4: 8:07 Mile 17: 8:18
Mile 5: 8:05 Mile 18: 8:18
Mile 6: 7:53 Mile 19: 8:29
Mile 7: 7:50 Mile 20: 8:39
Mile 8: 8:15 Mile 21: 8:15
Mile 9: 8:09 Mile 22: 8:35
Mile 10: 8:25 Mile 23: 8:49
Mile 11: 8:03 Mile 24: 9:05
Mile 12: 8:08 Mile 25: 9:08
Mile 13: 8:02 Mile 26: 8:52
Mile o.2: 7:43
OFFICIAL CHIP TIME: 3:39
and that means…
I QUALIFIED FOR BOSTON!!
just made it, too. As of now, registration is closed but supposedly there is talk that they may reopen registration for a week or two? I guess Ill have to keep a look out for it (which means I will be on the boston marathon page every single day haha). Anyway…I am very happy with my time! I definitely should have started out slower but that is just something I can work on for next time. I knew I was going way too fast in the beginning but its hard to MAKE yourself slow down. You are feeling good and you are excited….and both of those combined make it extremely difficult to slow down!!! Also- I hit a MAJOR WALL at the twenty mile mark…the last 6 were KILLER. Cardiovascularly, I was fine. But my legs just did not want to go any more. I was having all sorts of pain. They felt like lead bricks. At one point I even prayed to my grandmom (outloud … but do not worry no one heard me haha). I was able to stick with it and run along until I finally made it to the finish line (oh by the way… those last .2 take forever to complete… you think you are “right there”…chyeah righttttt). My oldest sister, Danielle, was on her bike following me for the last 6 miles…it was definitely awesome to have someone next to you encouraging you etc. so thank you very much, danielle! I am in a good amount of pain today. I cant really walk very well without looking like an old lady. My sister and I took our dog for a walk today in Philly and she wanted to run SO FAST and we were just limping along trying to pull her back…it was quite the scene haha….
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My sister, Mary, finished in a time of 3:44. She faced lots of problems (which you can read about on her blog…lets just say that she was on the toilet for the majority of the day haha) but she was able to push through it and finish the race without having to walk. I will tell you one thing…I do not know if I could have done it!! Her time was still AWESOME but last year she finished in a time of 3:33 (her first marathon too… crazy haha) so she was not THRILLED with her time but she was also not upset with it. very good attitude about it. Anyway- I wanted to make mention of her on here because yes I did “beat her” but (a) any other day she would kick my butt haha and (b) I HONESTLY would NOT have even made it to the start line if it was not for her. I truly look up to Mary. She teaches me so many things on how to train properly, how to eat/fuel properly, how to avoid injury, how to cook up good food ;), how to recoperate from injury….the list goes on and on. Without her I would have been honestly LOST…and absolutely, no question about it, would not have done as well as I did out there today. So thanks, Mary, for being such an awesome sister…I love you!!
and the pictures… (official ones are not up yet!!!):
Well-now its monday. still got a bit of a runners high going on andddd I am home for thanksgiving now! My college goes until Tuesday but I took my Biology test early on friday (instead of tomorrow) and now I am home for an extended thanksgiving break 😉 woohoooo!! Hope you all have a nice monday!
omg i can’t even believe how amazing you are! you are SO FAST 🙂 congratsss to you missy!
Man you guys are studs, those are FAST times. How did you train? Did you use a specific plan? I would love to qualify but currently have a stress fracture. I am 42, so need a 3:50.
AHHHHH congrats I’m so happy for you 😀 Awesome time. Eeee live up the post marathon glow!
congrats!! you are sooooo fast and awesome! i hope they do re-open registration and i can meet you haha! and no shame about watching rocky — clearly something worked to pump you up, although it could have been that great looking pre-race dinner 🙂
WOW you’re amazing…Boston?!!!?? Omg you rock!!!!! Awesome pics too! You and your sis are so pretty!
aw ti, thanks for the shout out. It really means a lot. We have to find a way to get you into Boston for 2010 because I want to experience another running adventure together! I may have helped you along the way, but what you did on Sunday was all you! You were awesome out there and had an amazing race! Can you believe it…you’re a marathonerrrr!
Great job!!
Tina – pass it on to Mary, I dont have her blog. And yes Ill take a side of the baked sweet potato fries for Thanksgiving.
What a great job you did!!!! Congrats to you and Mary. Your blog is very interesting. See you soon–We love you.
Congrats on the BQ! You are wicked fast!
congrats again tina! That’s an amazing accomplishment! I really hope you get into Boston…I’m sure your grandma’s looking out for an opening for you =)
Congrats!! You are so fast!! I’m just beginning training for my first marathon in Boston, share your wisdom with me!
Congrats on a great race…hope registration does open up for Boston for ya!!
Congrats! You have so much to be proud of. You did an awesome job, all that training and delicious and healthy eating really payed off!
You are AWESOME! Congrats on qualifying for Boston! That’s huge! I envy you 🙂
I love that you and your sis watch Rocky the night before. hee hee.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
That is amazing! Great job!
CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINA!!!!!!!! You are such an inspiration. Hard work, due diligence, dedication discipline…i m so proud of your accomplishments!! Boston qualifier too!!!!! You’re a rockstar!
Great job!!! I finished my first half in 1:58…feeling sore today but I got the stick too so I’m putting that to work. Aiming for 26.2 in Philly 2010.
Haha I’m glad to hear you haven’t had any adverse reactions. And yes I think your legs need a gooood break! Click on my signature and it will take u to the page where you can make one =)
I bow down to you ;)!!! CONGRATS – what an ammaaaazing time! If Boston does open up, do you plan on registering. And great mention of your sister…uh, who still had a stellar time – crazy!!
Oh and I love your pre-dinner eats, yummmm to the bread, the chicken looks really tender…and those sweet potatoes – if only won’t would come out like that 🙂 Get some rest girl – fuel those muscles and easy walks…and the stick!! haha.
YOU ARE MY HERO! your time and your sister’s time is AMAZING – i could not have guessed it was your first marathon at all. congratulations and enjoy basking in the post-marathon glow – you deserve it.
soooo happy for you!
woowoo BOSTON!
CONGRATS! wow – that is so amazing to qualify for Boston in your first marathon. you rock.
I am so stinking proud and inspired by you! You and Mary BOTH did a great job! Congrats on the BQ – I am majorly jealous and I hope to BQ next fall! If you don’t get in this year let’s meet in Boston in 2011!
[…] we’re both the same age and the youngest of sister-only families, both marathoners (and both decently fast one’s at that ), both entering the health/medical field, both teach (or taught/may be […]