Marathon Weekend

First of all, thank you so much for all the sweet "good luck" wishes left for me about my marathon! I really, really, really, appreciated each precious comment! You all were such an encouragement to me---THANK YOU! Also, I really enjoyed hearing from many of you who are running and/or training for your own race in the very near future too!

Way to go...that's AWESOME!!! I hope to visit your blog (if you blog) and see how you do!

So our weekend went a little like this...When Corban and Alexis got home from school on Friday, I already had the car packed up and ready to go. Shane was out of town the last half of the week for work, so the plan was for me to head out with the three "big" kids and then he would meet us in Greenville LATE Friday night. Shane's flight didn't land in Charlotte until 8:30pm, and with Greenville being another two hours away, we knew he wouldn't get to our hotel until after 11:00pm.
My wonderful mom, graciously offered to keep the babies, in order to make our quick trip a little more manageable!
Thanks Mom!

The kids and I arrived in Greenville @ 6:00. We checked into our hotel, and then headed over to the race expo to pick up my race number and t-shirt.
We walked around the expo for a while before it was time to figure out dinner.
Panera Bread sounded good to everyone, and I knew I would be able to fuel up on a major dose of carbs there too;)

Love their sandwiches, bagels, and breads!

Did I mention what a treat it was for me to spend some time with JUST my "big" kids!
They are so much fun and keep me laughing all the time!

After we finished dinner, it was time to head back to the hotel where I hoped we would all get a good nights rest.
The kids showered up, got their cozy pj's on, and then climbed into bed just in time to catch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
By 9:00pm lights were out!
Shane, thankfully, arrived safely at our hotel a little after 11:00pm.
I'll be honest, I really didn't sleep well at all on Friday night! I tossed and turned all night long, restless and worried about my race the next morning.

When Saturday morning finally arrived we awoke to a simply BEAUTIFUL fall day.
Bright blue skies and a cool crisp breeze filled the air!
It was PERFECT running weather!

By 7:45am I was on the starting line. I quickly found my pace group, and introduced myself to several of the runners who would be running with me.
By 8:00 am we were off!

I waved goodbye to my little cheering section, as I crossed the start line and headed onto the marathon course!
The race course itself was great. A little hilly the first half, but THANKFULLY it was fairly flat the last 13 miles or so---that's when it really counts.

I got to see my little fan club again around mile marker 10. Shane and the kids were there, holding signs, yelling my name, and ready to slap me high five as I ran by.
Nothin' like some sweet encouragement to keep you going!

Surprisingly, the hours/miles went by quickly, and before I knew it I had hit marker 20. Miles 21-25 seemed to take FOREVER though.
My legs were tired and I was ready to be DONE!
Miles 25 and 26 were when that adrenaline finally kicked in.
Lots of people, including my sweet family, lined the streets, cheering runners on as we neared the finish line.
The race ended in the Greenville Drive Baseball Stadium, right across home plate. As each runner entered the Stadium, your name was called out over the loud speaker to announce your arrival. My kids thought that was AWESOME!



You seriously DO NOT have to watch the video of me crossing the finish line.
I just put it on here to document that special moment for me.
Crossing that finish line and realizing it was all over was indeed PURE BLISS!!!

Having my family there to welcome me home and congratulate me was PURE JOY!
Official ending time... 4 hours and 42 minutes.