Sunday morning we were up bright and early. Kelly's parents took us to the Four Seasons near the start line and traded us for Noah's parents, then they headed off to meet my parents at mile 7.5 to watch us. The weather was not nearly as cold as originally predicted, but still felt cool as we lined up. I found the 4:15 group easily, which is where we had planned for Kelly to start, and found lots of my friends around there too. I introduced Kelly to everyone I knew there so that there would be some chance of her getting to run with someone during the race. Keith, the president of my company, and his son Travis were running their first marathon as well and we met them in the sea of runners. I introduced Kelly to them and hoped they would all be able to run together for a while.
The gun went off and I headed out with the group, with no idea what to expect. Mile 1 came and went without too many near-death feelings on my part. I slowly relaxed and began to think that maybe I was going to be able to actually run a few miles with Kelly before I sent her on her way. Miles 2, 3, 4 ticked away as we were running faster and faster. The pace leader went out way too fast, but the group could not be wrangled in anyway. Jon was at mile 5, and Kelly and I both threw our long sleeve shirts to him. I was happy to still be with them at that point. I knew there was an overhead photographer just past the 10k mile mark, and I had made it my goal to stick with Kelly for at least that long. I was dying by that point, but we all lined up for that photographer as we ran underneath and smiled and cheered, so hopefully all that work on my part at least gets us one good picture!! After that point I told them I could not keep up anymore, and my heart rate was over 190. I wished them well and sent them on their way. Our families were just ahead at mile 7.5. I didn't want them waiting too long for me, but I knew Kelly wouldn't gain that much ground on me in just a mile. I did see my parents at our usual first spot and was so happy to see them. I am very glad they came. I told them I was ok and that my race was over. "Over!??!!" And I said "oh, not over over, I'm just done sprinting my heart out to keep up with them. I'm going to lollygag my way through the next 6 miles at a much more leisurely pace." And that I did. I saw friends, friends, and more friends along the way and stopped to talk to a few here and there. I was happy I still felt like somewhat of a runner and hadn't completely died somewhere around mile 8. I hit the turn around just before 9 and then started looking for people all the way back. I love races where people run two ways on a street because you can look for people you know the whole time.
I hit Allen Parkway, just before mile 11 and laughed to myself. I'd never run the half course before and all of a sudden I was at mile 24 of the full course...without having to run those middle 13 miles! It was kind of nice! I finished in 2:16 and headed to find Jon to get back to mile 24. That time is 20 minutes slower than I ran in February, but I will take it.
Jon took me back to mile 24 where the tri club had a "Hooplah Station" and I cheered people on as I waited for Kelly to come through. I ran with 4-5 friends and my cousin for a little bit each time one passed. Most people were hot, but several were still looking very strong. I had a great time out there cheering. I had gotten word that Kelly was through mile 22, but she still surprised me at 24. I took off running...excuse me...sprinting with her...as we headed home. She was thirsty so I found a bottle of water and gave it to her when she needed it and carried it when she didn't. I also held whatever she had been holding and then tried to take off my long sleeve shirt I had put back on...I almost got stuck with a shirt across my face! Kelly was flying. Literally. Looking back at her splits, her fastest 2 miles were during the last 4 miles of the race. My poor legs and heart just could not keep up. What a failure. I was supposed to be her support and run her in and I could not even keep up. Wow. At mile 25 I told her she did not need me anymore and she said she wanted me to stay with her. I said if I did I would slow her down way too much and I did not want that to happen. So I sent her on her way, for the second time that day, and slowly trotted back to the finish line myself. I did see Keith and Travis again on their way in and ran with them for a bit. Travis had lots to say. Keith did not so much acknowledge me. Oh well.Kelly ended up finishing in 4:06. I'm kind of glad in a way I did not run the full because we had grand ideas of running together and there is no way I could have run that fast unless everything went exactly as planned from about last July until race day...and we know that clearly didn't happen. She looked like she had just taken a 3 mile stroll after we finished as well. Freak! The results showed that in the last 8 miles of the race she passed 647 people. 3 passed her. Enough said.
Noah had a great finish too - 3:40. He said he had an awesome race up through 21 and was right on pace for a 3:30-3:35 finish and then he hit the wall. Kelly said she thinks she bypassed the wall. Freak. My mom said "no, Noah smashed into it so hard he left a hold for Kelly to run right through." Probably true. 3:40 was still a PR for Noah, so that is awesome too.
We had lunch at El Tiempo then all headed home for a well-deserved nap. 
Jon came back over after watching his sister finish her race and had a nice surprise for me...
15 roses for the 15 miles that I ran.
Comments
"I selected the 'first marathon package' and was very happy with the results. Kathleen had everything planned from parent maps to snacks and cheer gear. It was a very pleasurable first marathon experience!"