2014 Emerald City Quarter Marathon

Better late than never.  On August 24, I ran/walked the Emerald City Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles).  This was the first race I actually "raced" since having Megatron.  There have been two 5k races but they were more for fun and about the mission of the respective charities (Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run and Lifeline of Ohio's Dash for Donation).


I did this race back in 2011 and remembered it being hot, humid and gross.  Why did I sign up for it again knowing I hate hot, humid weather?  I don't know.  Well, really it was because I was in desperate need of a race.  I wanted to do something my pre-baby-had-a-transplant self did.  Plus my friends were jumping off a bridge doing the race, so I signed up.

Me and Katy, pre-race smiles!

So guess what the weather was?  Hot, humid and gross.  The only thing that saved me from overheating and crying in a ditch was the fact that it was overcast almost the entire race so the sun was intensifying the heat.  I was so very thankful I didn't lose my mind and sign up for the half marathon!

Just like the last time, I struggled with shin splints in the beginning but after a mile or so that eased up. And just like with about every race, it took me about 3 miles before I truly felt in a groove.  Katy did the race with me and we chatted while doing a run/walk combo.  I'm still not back to running for consistent stretches so I just did my best to run as long as I could and then take a walk break no longer than a quarter mile.  For the most part that worked.

In the last mile, I was really starting to feel the heat and was ready to be done but I got a little extra pep in my step when two friends, Krista and Kristina, came flying past us on the half marathon course.  Yes, they both did the half marathon faster than we did the quarter.  No, I don't hate them for that.  ;)  They are amazing role models.  They run like the wind, have 7 kids between the two of them and are some of the strongest, caring and kind ladies you will ever meet.  Plus, seeing them fly by gave me some extra wind to carry me to a strong finish.

Katy lit a fire under my butt and made me run it in to the finish...starting the last run much sooner than I would have if I had been alone.  And we did have a great finish.  1:34!   I was pretty surprised to see such a "fast" time for my first real comeback race.  About 9 minutes slower than 2011 but considering all that has gone on in the last year, I was very proud of that time.  And as always, it's a blast to spend time with friends.  Especially friends who have supported me both on and off the race course...

Right before the race started a group of friends gathered around me and I was pretty sure they were about to tell me I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe since I had just returned from the portapotty.  But instead, they presented me with a medal.  They wanted to recognize that while I didn't get to do my planned comeback race in January and didn't get the Disney medal I was after, I got the best medal of all, my little Megatron.  Isn't this the sweetest thing you have ever seen?!  I love them all so much and am so thankful they are in my life and have really stepped up to help me cope through Megatron's challenges.