Ok, this is going to be a several part recap. I'm not sure what part to start at...The super support team that I had, the amazing RBF meet up, my generous hostess, the marathon...

The marathon, First Half Recap:
The night before the marathon I had a very restless sleep. I was busy worrying about race strategy, worrying about the time change, worrying about breakfast, worrying about meeting up with David before the race. All the worrying did a number on my tummy and I was up out of bed several times to visit the potty. When I finally got up in the morning it was more upset tummy and more visits to the potty. I thought the feeling would pass as I got closer to the start. I did forget about it for a bit when Hubby, Dad, AnneMarie and I arrived at the Metro and was surrounded by other marathoners and their supporters. The Marathon Buzz was in the air and it was catchy. When we got off the train at Arlington cemetery and made our way over to the start the nerves were gone and it was full fledge excitement.
A couple pictures and we headed straight for the porto potties. The prayer, the national anthem and the fly over were next. It was a moving moment to see so many people standing at attention as soon as the National Anthem came over the speakers. I was able to find David and we again went over our gold, silver and bronze times. I talked to the Little Miss over the phone and got one last "Run fast Mom, Good Luck" and we headed into the crowd to await the cannon start. We were in the second wave so we had a bit to wait and then they announced that there was a hold up on the course and the start would be delayed slightly. Turned out that someone went down 100 yrds out from the start. (I haven't seen anything more on it).
Once we were finally off it was very slow and very tight. I found it hard to get my footing and stride moving smoothly. No worries we were running and a slow start is good. It was right after the start line that I looked up to the bridge above and noticed my race crew. I started waving and yelling and as soon as they heard and saw me they were holding up the signs. Only problem was my Dad was so excited that he didn't realize he was holding it upside down. Everyone around us was yelling to him to turn it around and making gestures. Dad didn't get it and thought they wanted him to cheer louder!
The first mile marker came upon us at 11:11. Slow but okay. We found more room in the second mile and gained 16 sec for a 10:55 mile then up another hill and were amazed by the man pushing a triple jog stroller. Mile 3 still making up time with a 9:59 mile. It was starting to warm up and I was looking forward to meeting up with the support team at mile 4 to dump my gloves and long sleeve shirt. David was thinking the same thing. Sure enough with their military navigational skills Hubby and dad were right where they said they were going to be at Mile 4 and David and stripped a layer.
Over Key Bridge and into Georgetown we finally clocked our goal pace of 9:50. Mile 5 more steady pace with a 9:55. The course was still a bit crowded but we were finding our zone. Mile 6 got a little fast at 9:22 and Mile 7 10:35-it was time for a potty break. As I went into the woods I reached out to grab a branch for support and found that this bathroom had already been used -EWWWWWW!!! No bother, I finished my business and found David. Here comes the big mistake we picked up the pace and did a 9:17 mile for Mile 8. I think part of it was that I was feeling relieved after using the potty and we knew we were due to see Studdly and Sr Studdly anytime. Sure enough when we passed by them we were moving so fast that Hubby didn't have time to get a photo. Mile 9 9:31, Mile 10 9:32. Slow Down!!! I kept saying it in my head but my body wasn't responding and the next mile was 9:08. I was starting to feel worried that I wasn't going to be able to hold out later in the race and I tried to reel us in. Mile 12 9:33 and Mile 13 9:58 and a 2:09 Half time.

Ok, real quick. I'm in DC. I've met Rex, and Rich and met up with Dave. Soon to meet Jeanne. I've carb loaded, watched the Marine Corp silent drill team and had a restless night sleep. I'm ready. Now, let's go have some fun! You can track your RBF friends for free and get emails or text messages when we cross 5 different mile markers. Check it out here and then go to spectators then virtual runner.

Ok, so by now we all know that the Running Chick qualified for Boston and kicked the Hartford course's ass. In case you missed the epic length race report head over and check it out. I had left her a comment saying:
"Di, I am so proud to have shared in the day! You are truly amazing and I am so lucky to have such a strong, motivated, inspiring woman in my life as well as influencing the life and character of my daughter. So proud!!!"
I share this with you because it's so true and something that's been on my mind lately. There are so many influences and outside factors impacting the kind of person my daughter will grow up to be, the media, teachers, classmates, the people I surround myself with, my own actions and sense of self.
This week marks the one year anniversary that Hubby has been home from Iraq. The last year has been almost as difficult as the year he was gone. There was so much to "figure out" and reconnecting that needed to be done slowly. The last two years have been the hardest of my life but through it all I have found that I have an enormous amount of strength and determination to fight for the ones I love, to be patient in letting them find their way back, and not settle for an easier way out. Through it all I am constantly trying to be the best role model I can be to mold Little Miss into a strong, confident, proud woman. I love the feeling at the end of a race when she is cheering everyone over the finish line or says "Someday I'm going to run like Mommy". I can't help but puff out my feathers after hearing at parent- teacher conference that she is independent, caring, kind and so funny. And to feel accomplished when she wants to stay an extra night at Grandpa's that she is a well adjusted kid. People ask all the time how we can afford to live on one salary and there is the answer. I am paid over and over for the "work" I do at home. With good friends like Di and AA to surround myself it's no wonder the job feels easy.

Today, I ran my last long run before the marathon next week. I am looking forward to surrounding myself next weekend with the determined and motivated people of the RBF and supportive people, my dad and the Hubby as well as being hosted by a strong leader in John's former commander.

I'm going to kick some marathon butt of my own!

It's been a while since my last post. Since my last post I have completed another 20 mile training run, got a cold that won't quit, watched a close friend/ running partner/ inspiration qualify for Boston and fell off the training wagon. So I've been busy, you see.

The cold lingered and is still lingering going on 3 weeks. Di convinced me that running the 2nd 20 miler would help to feel better and it did for a day or two and then the cold was back but meaner and greener than before. Really put a damper on the speed workout for that week. Then I was supposed to do 15 miles this week which was I was going to cut back to 13.1 and run the Hartford Half. I blew that off because I was still not feeling "right" and didn't want to end up in the hospital with pneumonia or worse and I couldn't run it slow because then I wouldn't have been able to see the ever speedy Running Chick pass mile 20. So I decided to go and be a spectator/race crew/ friend instead and cheer on the Running Chick to her kick ass destruction of the Hartford Marathon and her PR!!!!

So here I sit two weeks out from my own marathon. I feel very confident in my training. I am not too concerned about the last week in training. I will jump back onto the wagon this week and follow it through to the end. I just hope I can keep up with David!