But, I had already registered for the race and purchased airplane tickets for the Nashville Marathon, and my whole family was going. As the race date approached, my knee began to significantly improve, and in an attempt to preserve some semblence of a family vacation and accomplishment, I decided to just WALK the HALF marathon. That was my game plan, and I felt pretty good about it.
Until the morning of April 29th. It was the morning of the race. Approximately 25,000 people were gathered around the Colliseum in Nashville. It was bright, sunny, and the adrenaline ran through my veins like warm chocolate syrup down a throat: delicious, thick and fast. As we (my dad, mom, Ross and I) positioned ourselves in Correl 9 and the starting line, minutes before 7 a.m., I started to hypothesize. What would happen if I just ran the WHOLE THING? I ask my mom,
"Do you think I can do it?"
"I don't know Rebecca, you haven't trained"
"But Mom, what if I get to mile 11 (Mile 11 is the Marathon cut-off. Those who are running the Half veer right, and those running the WHOLE THING continue running straight) and feel great??"
"Well, only you can answer that."
And so that is how it was. As the young country music starlette crooned the Star Spangled Banner, and my dad tried to hide his tears of fear and excitement from Ross and I, I decided to just go for it. Why? Because I wanted to, and let's just say that I am still the textbook middle child constantly trying to be a part of everything. Even if it is a 26 mile trek I haven't prepared for.
So, I ran the marathon. Well, I ran 20 miles, and then limped the last 6 like the humbled and feeble idiot I was. I truthfully felt AMAZING the first 20. It was really a very energizing, life-affirming experience up until that point, but after that, well let's just say it was nothing short of my pioneer genes, birthing hips, and pure grit that propelled me through the finish line at an embarrassing 7:00 hours even.
But I did it! And check out the pictures to prove it!
7 comments:
Hey Becca, I am so proud of you that you tried to run the whole thing! I was just going to tell you that Mark has suffered from ITB syndrome (or whatever) and there are some ways you can fix it so you can run again without pain. You can get a foam roller (you can buy them online-we just did actually) and roll against it to work out the knot in your muscle on the side of your leg...if you have Bill rub it for you it out for you it can help a bit...I have done it lots of times...Mark says that orthotics help too...he's fixing to go to the doctor and get some soon. I hope that you can work out your injury cause they are the WORST!! I have recurring knee problems in my right knee and it makes me furious! I hope you two are doing great...and I love to visit your blog...Liam is just growing up so fast!! Talk to you later...Kate
You are amazing Becca! That is so awesome to just go for it. Such cute pics with you and Liam. Way to go!!!!
Well my dear, you are a stud (if it's possible for a girl to be a stud...if not, then you are just beautiful!)! Me, Paul, and little D can't wait to see you and Liam next week!!
Birthing hips? I think not.
DEAR BECCA!!!
i haven't talked to you in the longest time. well life in B3 is okay. Alexis graduated, walked, and recieved her diploma, something we would never have thought to happen. well, i'm not sure if you recieved that e-mail, but corbin and me "brokeup" from whatever we were. He went for my best friend and so now the only friend i have is Nat because no one else really wants to be around me. Oh, young love hey? Well i have two jobs for the summer. I'm working at seven peaks as a park service and i'm doing some digging for Mishel Stonely who is in a landscaping business thingy.
I got Bangs!!! they aren't swoopy bangs, but they're sorta blunt across the top of my head, i look so good in them. I can't belive that a Liam is that old!!! he was only born like two weeks ago. Well write back at jams323@hotmail.com, i'd love to hear from you. LOVE YOU!!!- Madie Nibley
becca....wow marathon...crazy woman you are!!! always amazed at people that actually want to run a marathon it is so intense as you know better than i....i mean are you OK..?? i hope so, did your body go into shock or anything for not training...i hope that your body is doing ok and that you are finding good time to relax and recover!!!
i feel like i havent talked to in like FOREVER, i need to call you soon!!! my blog sorry nothing to big has been happening, and i dont have nay pics yet of good stuff...i mean stuff is happening, nothing that i really want to publish on a blog if you know what i mean..might have a "real" job though!! love you!!!
emmers
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site. Keep working. Thank you.
»
Post a Comment