“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they’re yours.”– Richard Bach
Here are a few shots from the Route 66 run:
Terriann, Lynda and I were all smiles before the race started. We weren’t quite this chipper a few miles in, but we survived.
That’s Lynda on the left, crossing the finish line with me. My friend Anne’s mom was right behind us. I have no idea how long she was back there. I didn’t even see her until we went to get our medals.
Christopher, Mike, and Fleet Feet owner Lori goofed around after the race. I think the guys led pace groups in the marathon.
I don’t know this guy, but I like his style. 🙂
Terriann crossing the finish line. She posted a PR today — and not by a little bit. I think she beat her old record by more than 20 minutes. That’s a spectacular improvement.
Jennifer — a member of the Fleet Feet M4 group — finished her first marathon. I would like the record to show that the time she posted on her first marathon was way faster than my PR. M4 Rox!
Often imitated, never duplicated: Paul Cox, Fleet Feet coach extraordinaire, fearless leader of the M4 crew, and all-around good guy. Paul coached me to my first marathon finish last fall, then correctly surmised that I was completely full of it when I said I was never, ever going to run another one. He even refrained from laughing at me when I showed up for a training run last spring and logged 20 miles with him after a three-month hiatus.
Terriann gets a hug from her mom at the finish line. Terriann’s mom probably could have run a marathon herself if she’d been in the mood this morning. She was awesome last week at the Mother Road 100 aid station.
Hope your weekend was good. Did you walk a block? Better get to it. We double the distance today with a two-block walk.
And lest you think I’ve been slacking off all day: After I finished my half-marathon this morning, we went to Target and bought me a shiny new Schwinn Jaguar beach cruiser. Dark blue, wide handlebars, seven speeds, hand brakes, and retro style. I took it out for a spin this evening. It kicked my butt for about a mile and a half. I love it. Can’t wait to get the lights hooked up so I can ride after work in the evenings. I think I’ll put streamers on the handlebars and a milk crate on the fender. I wonder if they still make Spokey-Doke beads?
Emily
Red Fork Hippie 
You actually ran a MARATHON!!!! That’s more than I can ever dream of running! And Emily , I have my exams from Wendesday , wish me luck !!
Good luck, Teen. And a marathon isn’t as far as it sounds. I started thinking about running a half-marathon about three years ago. It struck me as the silliest thing I’d ever considered, because I couldn’t even run around the block without wheezing and coughing and begging for mercy.
Running a marathon isn’t the hard part. Finding the patience to train for it is the hard part. You just have to make up your mind you’re going to do it … and then be very firm with anybody who tries to cut into your running time.
Go click that Triple dog dare link and follow the directions. You can have a finisher’s medal within six months. Just go out there and put one foot in front of the other.
I ran my first marathon this past weekend in Tulsa. I loved it. I am a bit sore and my knee hurts but I am going to do it again. I can tell you that it is very imprtant to train. 26.2 miles is not that far. Just pace yourself.
Congratulations, Melisa! Now that you’ve built your training base and know what to expect, the next one will be easier.