November 14, 2005

11 marathons. 11 months. 7 continents.

I didn't plan on doing a marathon a month this year. In the beginning, I thought 7in7on7 had a nice ring to it. But I keep getting contributions for this wonderful cause, so I guess I should keep running.

The only marathon I found that fit into my schedule was yesterday's Huntington, West Virginia marathon. My marathon preparation left a lot to be desired.

Saturday was work around the house day. It was warm and sunny and perfect for any activity except chores at home, but Linda knew this was our only chance to get it all done. So we brought in outdoor furniture, carried pots into the garage, pruned shrubs and hedges, cut limbs and branches back, and raked the few leaves we have in our downtown home. You know that feeling you get in your chest when you've pulled a little muscle and it hurts every time you breathe? That feeling showed up just as I sat down to relax after a few hours of work. Every breath brought a little twinge on the right side of my chest.

When we got done with the house, we got dressed in black tie to attend the Ronald McDonald House annual gala. Again, not exactly perfect marathon prep, especially when I got the filet the size of a cannonball for dinner. I knew that baby would hang around in my stomach through the upcoming race (and not eating it wasn't an option - I come from the clean your plate regardless school of upbringing....). Anyway, we left the benefit as soon as it was politely acceptable and went to retrieve our car. We were on the 10th floor of the parking garage and the high school football game that had attracted 30,000 spectators had just finished. Cars were lined up to the 10th floor waiting to get out - and there were two attendants trying to take tickets, make change, and send people on their way. I knew it would take at least 90 minutes to get out of the garage, so I grabbed Linda's hand, dashed out on the street, and got in a cab to take us home. We'd worry about the car later...

Got home, dived into bed, and set the alarm for 3am. Before I knew it, it was 3am. Got up, showered, had coffee, and jumped in the other car for the 3 1/2 drive to Huntington. It started raining as I pulled away from the house. And it rained the entire way to Huntington, stopping as I pulled into the Marshall University football field parking lot which was near the start of the race. I got my number and returned to the warmth of my car to wait 1 1/2 hours for the start of the race - it seems Huntington wasn't quite as far as I thought!

I had no expectations for this marathon - just wanted it check it off the list. But sometimes, when you least expect it, life has a way of surprising you, exceeding your expectations. It was a brisk autumn day, in the 50's with the scent of impending rain in the air. The course was flat, and once we got out of town, there were some beautiful ribbon parks that ran along a river. Running along the tree-lined path by the river, occasional gusts of wind would shower me with a torrent of yellow, orange, red, brown and green leaves, swirling around me as I ran. The smell reminded me of childhood when we'd rake huge piles of leaves to jump in. It was one of those moments when you're so glad to be alive, surrounded by the colors and smells of autumn, to be able to run a marathon, to experience nature like this - I was overwhelmed with this feeling of immense gratitude for the moment. I was just so glad it happened in the first half of the race, because by the second half I was miserable....

The hitch in my chest hurt with every breath. I was physically tired, real tired. I had shortened my stride which made me stiff. I was focused on finishing and getting in the car for the long drive home. I questioned whether they had the mile markers correctly place - these miles seemed much longer than the miles in the first half of the race. I have these mind games I use in a race - just water the first ten miles, three Advil after fourteen miles. Reward myself with sports drink after the half-way mark. But the Gatorade got weaker the further I went into the marathon. The Advil didn't seem to work its magic. Where was the end of this race???

But of course, it finally, finally arrived. We ran into the Marshall University football stadium where we ran the final 100 yards. Someone thrust a football into my hand as I entered the stadium, and I must admit I felt like an idiot hobbling down the center of the field carrying a football to the end of a marathon. I'm sure it will make a priceless photo...

Got my medal, dived on a piece of cheese pizza, crammed two oranges into my mouth, drank two bottles of water, and lurched to my car. Made myself get out of the car and walk around twice on the way home, but still arrived home stiffer than a new shoe. My massage guy was booked, so I tried to give myself a massage, but was so stiff I couldn't reach the needed areas, so I collapsed with a glass of wine, watched 60 Minutes, and went to bed at 8pm....

West Virginia was a new state of me. Now with 24 hours separating me from the pain of the last race, I'm intrigued with this 50 State Club - I mean this makes 13 States for me over 80+ marathons.....