The End

And so this is the end.....



Six months of training.


250 miles run.


Almost 200 posts to this blog.


$4,536 raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.


One marathon completed.

I achieved all of the goals that I set for myself when I began this journey:
1. FINISH the marathon. Check.
2. Raise money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check.
3. Remember and honor my Daddy. Check.

And now this amazing journey has come to an end.

So, what's next? I've been asked that many times. There is a part of me that would love to try another marathon. But a larger part of me that doesn't. For several reasons. I don't want to train for it. To put in all the time that is really required -- the time commitment is just so major. Not just for me, but it was a sacrifice for my family too. (HUGE THANKS to Jodi for flying solo every Saturday for the last six months.) No training equals no marathon. The distance running really took a toll on my body. I didn't make it through this without injury. It wasn't anything major, but it wasn't pain-free either. I just don't think that long distance is what my body is meant to do. And, even if I did another marathon, there would never, ever be another experience like the experience I had on June 1. Never.

However, I think do see some running still in my future.

I would like to focus on some 5ks. What a great distance that might be for me. JUST three miles! I would like to work on my speed a little bit. While we were training for the marathon, we really didn't focus on time or pace. We just focused on distance, just completing the miles. So maybe now I can get a bit stronger and increase my pace.

I also see some half marathons in my future. I'm seriously thinking about the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon in December. Or maybe the Germantown Half Marathon again in March. I'm pretty sure I can talk Jodi and my brother-in-law to run one of them too. The St. Jude Half is much larger; they are capping registrants at 8,000. Last year almost 6,000 ran the half and the final time was just under 5 hours. Kind of appealing to think that I would be at the front of the back of the pack.... I was thinking about the fact that after the Germantown Half in March, we practically ran a half marathon every weekend until the week before the marathon. So, a half marathon is pretty doable for me. I would like, one day, to achieve a sub-three hour marathon. That is shaving off quite a bit of time for me, but maybe after I build up some strength and speed and conquer a 13 minute mile on a regular basis, this would be feasible.

What have I been doing since June 1? NOTHING. I have taken these last two weeks off. Completely off. No activity. The week of the marathon, I was still so stiff and sore. And just TIRED. I felt like I needed so much sleep. This last week was much better. I still have a tight hamstring, but nothing major. And there is some occasional shin pain - I think it's just some leftover 'itis' that is continuing to rear its ugly head. My toenail is not looking very promising, but, like Tom said, if that's the extent of my marathon injury, I'm doing pretty good!

I do want to say that if anybody is ever interested in running or walking a full or half marathon, please consider doing it through the Team in Training. There is NO WAY I could have done any of this alone. Just having the coaches, mentors, support and teammates along the way is what made it possible. Plus being surrounded by all the purple on race day. I can never explain it - just the whole scope of it. But it was definitely a TEAM - from beginning to end.

I have developed a huge respect for the role of spectator. I *know* that is something I can do during a race!! Just stand on the side of the road and cheer. Maybe I can do that at one of the half marathons that I don't run in. During my runs at Shelby Farms, whenever someone would say "Go Team!" or some other encouraging word, that would be just the extra push I needed to keep moving. And I can't even tell you what it was like at the marathon. Twenty-six miles of people cheering for ME! It was incredible encouragement. I have learned the true value and power of all of that.

I think I would compare the whole marathon thing to childbirth. It is quite painful while you are going through it. But when it's all over, you have this wonderful result, this amazing accomplishment. And you forget exactly just how painful it was.

We had been told that we would experience a 'low' after the marathon. Maybe like a wedding or Christmas or something. It's just this event that you have focused on for so long. All of your time and energy - all your thoughts - every bit of you - is constantly thinking about this upcoming event. And then it happens and it is wonderful. But then it is over. Maybe I've experienced some of that. OK, maybe more than I want to admit, considering it's taken me two weeks to drag out the story of my marathon. I have just wanted it to go on and on. And there is part of me that is sad that it's over. And I'm sad that I am going to end this blog. I admit, I'm a little teary now as I write this last post....

But wait! There's more!!! While this is the end of the Gonna Run A Marathon blog, I have decided to start a new blog. HOORAY! It won't be as exciting as this -there isn't a big goal I'm working towards. (And I won't beg you for donations to the Leukemia Society!). But I have just enjoyed the whole blogging experience and I want to continue to be able to have that outlet. So, feel free to check out my new blog: Me and My Good Life (http://www.meandmygoodlife.blogspot.com/). I will just ramble about whatever happens to be on my mind. Me, my good life, my family, sports, weather. Who knows....

I can't end this without thanking all of you who have been a part of this journey with me. There are so many of you and you all played so many different roles. For those who read my blog, made donations, encouraged me, ran with me, celebrated each little mile, waited for me, tolerated me, inhaled Icy Hot, remembered my dad, cheered for me, allowed me to whine, helped me heal, followed my progress, cared about my pitfalls, listened to me, rubbed my feet, shared in my victory. Thank you! I continue to be blown away by all of the support, love and encouragement I have received during this marathon quest. THANK YOU!!

It was amazing, unforgettable experience. I ran a marathon!!! And I think my Daddy would be real proud of me!!