The Run

T2 was like a little piece of heaven. I was so happy to get off the bike and out of the wind. I had a whopping headache and I was very thirsty. TG's Grandsion, Cyndi and Megan were on hand to see that my every need was met. Bringing me water and helping me to dress. I so badly wanted to lie down somewhere dark. I gulped down an entire bottle of water and 4 Tylenol. Kate was patiently waiting for me to be finished so we could start the run together.As soon as we hit the run course I knew it was going be tough. My legs felt awful and I was hot. I waved Kate off, sadly watching as she disappeared down the road. At this point I decided I would run/walk for as long as I could. I knew I had plenty of time to finish so I planned to take the first few miles slowly and try to eat and drink in hopes my legs would feel better.

I really don't have much memory of that first lap, but I know I saw everyone and they all looked strong. As I started the second lap my feet and ankles started to really hurt. I trudged on, left, right, repeat. Coming to the halfway point turnaround I knew I would see my family and this gave me an extra boost. I told them I wasn't feeling so good and I was going to walk the second half.

I really felt low at this point in the race. I sat down on the side of the road and took my shoes and socks off. I had a blood blister the size of Idaho on my little toe. The bottom off my foot was burning and both ankles were swollen. I just sat and stared at my feet. A passerby threw me a piece of moleskin which I stuck on the entire bottom of my foot. I was worried about another injury, if I was going to DNF this is where it was going to happen. I sat some more. I looked at my watch. I had over 5 hours left to be an official finisher, no way was I going to quit now. I put my shoes back on and started walking.

About a mile later, I saw Patty, we stopped for hugs then off she went - 2 miles for her to Ironman. Then Fred came by looking chipper. Sharon passed me trucking along looking really good. Then Shawn smiling with a gaggle of Sherpas in tow. Finally as I entered the park there was Kate looking very determined but running well.

After the turnaround at this late hour most of the people left on the course are hurting. You can see it in their body language and the resigned grimaces on their faces. Some are shuffling, others walking and still others moving forward any way they can. I looked at these people hurting just like I was and offered a few words of encouragement, I hoped they all would be Ironmen.

Six miles to go I made the decision to just power walk, running was so painful and probably slower anyway. I saw someone ahead who looked to be moving at good pace so I caught up to her. We introduced ourselves each telling our respective stories. I looked at my watch and decided we could break 16 hours if we could keep going at this pace. We decided to stay together for the final lap.

As we made the last turn onto Thomas Drive, we agreed to run it in. A final word of encouragement and off I went. I don't remember crossing the finish line or hearing my name called. I think my brain just switched off for a few minutes. Not even the loud whoops from the TG's around me. After the pictures and hugs I just wanted to sit down and take my shoes off, my feet were screaming at me.

The run was really tough. I had mentally prepared to walk a good deal of it but even so I am disappointed that I could run so little. I had hoped to run at least 50% of the marathon but it ended up being only about 25%. I know this was to be expected coming off a year of constant injury, with little time to prepare for the marathon, of course it would be difficult.

Was it worth it. Yes it was, because there is nothing I could have done that would have changed the outcome of this race except not racing and I had put in too much time and energy to not race. But here I am injured again, a partial tendon tear this time. Will I do another Ironman, I think so, but I want to be completely healthy for the next one so it may a while!