Post-Marathon

Well it is day 4 after the marathon on Sunday and I can honestly say I feel like I have been hit by a truck, repeatedly. It is improving with each new day and I could even go to hot yoga this evening (thankfully).
But it was soooo worth it! I had such a wonderful trip and Mike and I got to do some nice sight-seeing and dining while we were there.
The race itself was a little intense but so well put together, it was unbelievable. There were women from 35 different countries competing and 3 Olympians, including my fav Kara Goucher. The race started off well and Mike even joined me twice, once to run miles 4-8 with me and then again from miles 12-16. So that was a very nice treat! And he could even sneak off and take pictures of the gorgeous scenery. I mean running near the coastline and the Golden Gate Bridge was unlike anything I have ever experienced. At mile 8 my left ankle was hurting with each step down as well as my left knee. But I had to keep going. I ran up all of the hills, which was one of my goals throughout the marathon. At mile 14, I felt like I could be finished with the run, the hills were very intense, however, the day was overcast which made the remaining part of the race tolerable. Miles 15-18 I was running along the Great Hwy, there was loud music, cheerleaders, orange slices given, gatorade and water galore! We got to see the surfers out catching some waves and also wiping out :) However, miles 18-23 were along Lake Merced, which I had read many reviews about and it was treacherous. I mean, the ONLY upside was the Chocolate Mile at mile 22 which they gave quite a few milk chocolate truffle squares from Ghiradelli that I kept for Mike and I to eat later in the evening. Yum!
It was an unbelievable race and I am wondering what will be in store for me next.
The night before the race I woke up at 3am, just an hour prior to my alarm and my pump had stopped working. Frustrated and exhausted I decided to go back to sleep and put on a new pod prior to going on a 4+ hour run. That is risky business considering it takes my body 3-4 hours to balance itself out after putting one on. But it was a risk I had to take since I didn't want to use Lantus and give injections. At 14 miles my blood sugar was at 94 and finished the race at 119....not too shabby.

For all of those who have been on this journey with me, you may know how much I sacraficed to get to this point, heck it may have even been a few happy hours or glasses of wines with you to do so. It may have meant not traveling so I could get all my miles in. But it was a bucket-list check off for me and honestly, while I didn't make the time I was expecting, I am grateful to have had this opportunity. I am still on a little runner's high and find myself replaying how the day went, mile by mile :) 
I loved all of the texts, cards, FB posts and emails wishing me luck, it made a huge impact on helping me get through the race. Muah!!
Until next time....


I hope you all are well!