Monday, November 1, 2010

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.

















26 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Wow!!! That it awesome! Do you know your time or what you placed? How many people ran in the race? I would figure not as many as a 5K...I came in 6th last weekend at the Boys Cross Country Fundraiser 5K for the women. I was in the lead until the 2nd mile when I had to stop and throw up.It was 36 degrees that morn. and my asthma was horrible. I could not get any air. Then at the finish line I made up a spot until I had to stop to throw up again. Nice and Lady like huh! It was Karlton's first race. He came in 16th for the men. and my little 9 yr. old finished with 27th for the men. (out of 120 people) ;0)

Sonya said...

What an awesome accomplishment for you and a great example for your kids to follow! Congrats!!

Sarah said...

did you ever know that you're my hheeerroooo...! :)

seriously - GREAT job and HUGE accomplishment! way to go, jenny.

Melanie said...

Waaaaay to GOOOOO! Wow, you did an amazing job & still look picture perfect at the end of the race! What a tremendous accomplishment!

Terri said...

Awesome job!!! How sweet to have your family there cheering you on. I am so impressed. What a huge accomplishment!!! Blessings!

Kim said...

Goodness sakes you look FABULOUS! for just running a marathon:)

Amy said...

You are such an inspiration! Congrats on such an accomplishment! You have inspired me to pich up running again!

Many Blessings!

Amy

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Congratulations! i know the feeling of those miles taking forever, and feel for you! It is awesome to see family on the course!
Panera bread? that is what I had before a marathon too!
Float high on your accomplishment- as you should be! way to go!

Jill said...

I am so, so proud of you! I thought about you several times on Saturday and have been anxiously awaiting your recap post. Awesome job!!! Every now and then when I think I don't want to keep going with my runs, you inspire me. Thanks. :)

Kandi said...

Wow, that's so impressive (said by someone who can barely run to the mailbox!).

Found you on Kelly's Korner and your family is so beautiful! I just had to comment and tell you how wonderful it is that you are a foster family...my parents fostered through my entire childhood and while it wasn't always easy for me, it's such a blessing for children from difficult backgrounds to be placed in a christian home. Blessings to you!!

www.kandilandblog.blogspot.com

Becky said...

Congratulations!! That is absolutely wonderful! My husband and I have only done 5ks in the past and would LOVE to do a marathon sometime! And you look absolutely beautiful after running! Congrats again!

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment! You looked so pretty in the last picture!

Stephanie said...

Jenny I think you are SuperMom! What a fantastic accomplishment and it doesn't even look as though you broke a sweat! Amazing.

paige said...

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy for the Seasons said...

Girl, that is awesome!

Susan said...

Way to go Jenny!

C'est Moi! said...

What an achievement, Jenny!! Way to go!! I've done a couple of half marathons (walking) but never a full. I know about those night before the race tossing and turnings! You look fab for having run 26.2 miles. How wonderful to have your husband and older children there to support you. How exciting for the kids to hear your name called over the loudspeaker in the stadium. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope you're getting a little r and r post race. Blessings in Christ, Donna

Donna said...

Good job! Looks like a family affair...what an inspiration you are to them too! Great accomplishment!!

Annie said...

Wow, that was amazing!!! Good job, congrats!!!

Jill said...

That's amazing!! I can't believe how good you look after running 4 hours!! This (kind of) inspires me to start running... :)

Devin said...

Incredible! What an amazing accomplishment, Jenny--and to have part of your family with you is wonderful!

Melissa said...

Wow!!! You're an amazing woman, wife, and mom! Congratulations on finishing :)

Hailey said...

Congratulations on finishing your first 26.2 marathon. New to your blog and I absolutely love it. You are such an amazing women, just from what I have read. Your kids are beyond adorable!!

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

I'm finally catching up on my favorite blogs...Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment!!! And I can't imagine a better receiving line to welcome you across the finish line! :)

Anonymous said...

Seriously, I must be hormonal cause I teared up for you! Ha! I can only imagine waht 26.2 feels like. I felt emotional after my 5ks! Great job!

Jen said...

That was great!! I don't even know you (on a personal level...just through blog world) and I felt so PROUD of you!! Great job, Jenny!!