26.2

Welp, it's over!  I did it.  26.2 miles.  I felt good most of the way, too!  I'm just super pumped that I was able to follow the advice from the book that we were reading and that it was all really helpful.  I started out much slower than normal and it really paid off.  I even ran up the monster hill that I was dreading.  I was also chanting to myself, "Take that, Runkle!" the whole way up (Mr. Runkle was my cross-country coach in high school that told me I just wasn't built to be a runner).

I did have some stomach issues, but I think that had to do with trying new flavors of Gu that I wasn't used to.  I was told that there would be all flavors of Gu, but I didn't realize (duh me) that there wouldn't be every flavor available at each station.  I freaked out a little when I got to the first station and my options were orange (which I absolutely hate) and a kind I hadn't tried before.  Luckily I liked it, but the next Gu after that did NOT settle with me right.  I took a few trips to the bathroom and gave a few runners a sight as I hung my head off the side of the course for a bit.  One guy was really nice and offered a piece of gum to settle my stomach, but I'm not exactly a gum chewer.  When my stomach was ok, I passed them again and told them I would try not to puke in front of them again. :)  I also think the issue had to do with someone not diluting the gatorade correctly at a few of the stations.  It was disgusting- SUPER strong.  Many of us tried to dilute it with the water available but it was still gross.  Bummer.

Anyway, the whole thing was great for me.  I couldn't believe it.  I actually had fun the whole time, and certainly see myself doing more races in the future.  I don't think I want to spend the time training for another marathon, but the actuall race didn't bother me.  I'm just feeling like an old person now.

Jake finished a strong 21 miles and then was overcome with some pretty bad dehydration.  He wasn't able to finish the race, but I am SOOO proud of his 21 miles!  Nicely done, babe!

Long line of bathrooms before the race.

This is where I started sprinting.  AND passed a girl.  :)

The end.