Let me start with the great news that I PR'd by 15 minutes and 50 seconds! So, my second marathon was a success! I also was able to run all 26.2 miles! No walking, no bathroom breaks! Training and hiring a coach really paid off. It of course still wasn't easy - I still hit the wall around mile 22. I wanted so badly to walk "for just a minute." But I pushed through and finished and am so glad that I did.
Of course right after I finished, I said I would never run another marathon again. I was tired. I was sore. I was overwhelmed. A day or two later, walking around New York City with my husband I was much more in my right mind, and seeing the city with rejuvenated eyes. It was finally sinking in that I had accomplished what I set out to do, and that the journey had been pretty darn amazing. The NYC marathon is awesome - if you can do it, don't hesitate! It's sort of a logistic nightmare with having to get to Staten Island to the start, but you know, it's well organized. The crowd support is unmatched. The views are fantastic. It's so worth it. And now, I would do it all again...
And you know, I'm running another marathon next month. Am I glutton for punishment or what?? To be honest, I wouldn't have probably signed up for another one so soon, but I actually signed up for the Rock N Roll Arizona Marathon back in March after my original Phoenix Marathon disappointment. This was to be my redemption race, but then New York happened! So, here we go again with the horribly long training runs and nervous anticipation about running 26.2 miles again. But, I am looking forward to this one - I now know I can do this. And I am hoping it's a little easier this time. Wishful thinking, maybe?
Here's my favorite picture from the NYC marathon! This is truly how I felt for most of the run - happy and good. Keep running everyone!!!
~ Courtney
