I’m limited to posting with Blogsy this morning on my iPad mini, neither of which are as easy for me to use as my regular set-up. Moreover, I’m importing photos from email and Facebook which also pose a few problems.
But I didn’t want to wait any longer to tell you all thank you for your support and encouragement over the past months as I worked my goal of running a marathon. Because yesterday, I did it!
I pinned this bib on my shirt, Pater and I took the Skytrain, then a 20-minute walk, and we waited in the rain at my “corral” until my group, most of us shivering, moved forward to the start line. I blew Pater a kiss good-bye and then concentrated on my feet meeting the road for the next 4 hours, 45 minutes, and 58 seconds. 4:45:58, my official chip time.
Honestly, a wee bit slower than I’d thought, but I really had no way of knowing. I’m very content with the time, though, glad that I ran and finished and can walk and move fairly comfortably this morning (not the case yesterday afternoon and evening when I was stiff, sore, very tired, but crazily euphoric).
I was delighted to pass a small party of family (two daughters, a son, a son-in-law, and two granddaughters) holding up a sign and cheering me on, somewhere around 26kilometres. Then my husband, standing on the sidewalk in front of our apartment at 30 kilometres.
And then the very happy surprise of seeing friends Alison and Kim as I ran up to the Finish Line. It’s hard to describe the awareness, at theses moments, of how spirits–endorphins, I guess, to be biochemical about it–affect performance. I could feel my eyes involuntarily widen, the smile spread, and my hamstrings relax their grip on Ow.
Huge eating followed, back at our apartment, and then a good night’s sleep and, as I say, I’m moving fairly comfortably this morning. And to make sure I keep doing so, my daughter, a Registered Massage Therapist, has me booked in this morning. After that, lunch with one of my sisters at a favourite spot. A good day.
Posted with Blogsy
What an acomplishment! BIG congratulations – a dream, a goal, a line across life's to-do list. I hope you spend the week in a wonderfully happy fog. You did it!
That's the perfect description — I've been in a very happy fog indeed! Thanks!
I am just so happy for you. You, and you alone, accomplished this. And at the same time you had the glad support of your loving family. Just wonderful. Congratulations, and I hope this endorphin haze stays with you, in some way, for a long, long, time. <3
Thank you! I do love the mix of the self-discipline and the fabulous base of support I have. <3 back at you (you're really getting down with the emoticons, aren't you!)
You rock! Well done – awesome!
Huge Congratulations! I thought of you yesterday, in the rain, running. I'm so impressed by your dedication to doing this and your perseverance in spite of some set backs. Hope the post-run glow lasts a long time!
Thanks, Lorrie. I'm sure I felt that positive energy of your thoughts, carrying me along.
Bravo mater! Your training paid off and all the anticipation and dreaming has become a reality. I'm betting that you will be smiling for days to come!
Yes! What a result! And all your own work…enjoy the euphoria and bask in the glow.
Oh my gosh, that's so wonderful! Congratulations!! I agree with everyone else – be proud of yourself and enjoy the afterglow!!
Congratulations! You have worked very hard and overcome your setbacks to achieve this personal goal.
This is a huge accomplishment – you must be the proudest! Really, be very measured in your movements over the next few days, just to ensure that everything settles back to normal. Maybe do a bit of yoga (but not extreme!). And eat everything in sight! (That would be the best part, IMO.)
walking, so far, maybe yoga tomorrow. I did see the yellow marathon shirt out running on one or two crazy peeps today, but I'll wait a few more days. As for the eating, well. . . . Thai food, braised short ribs, foie gras, charcuterie. Need I go on?!
Oh yes, I saw you near my home on Sunday and would have invited you up for tea but you seemed to be running somewhere…
Congratulations!!
running like a mad hatter, then? đ
Brava! I have to say, you look happy and charming in the photo – your joy is infectious, and it made me smile. Have a lovely massage . . .
All smiles that day felt infectious, so I'm glad I passed it along! thank you!
Congratulations!!
So happy for you! Congratulations on a fantastic achievement. Good pacing and a finish pretty close to the top 50% of all women running. 60 had nothing to do with it đ
Enjoy the afterglow!
Thanks, Angela! I went back and checked the math and I see what you mean. Put an extra smile on my face, actually . . . đ
Absolutely fantastic! Revel in your accomplishment đ
Well done! Enjoy it!
Congratulations – that's a fantastic achievement!
Good for you!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Enjoy yourself! (And, like I said, drink plenty of water.)
glug, glug, glug! đ
Now that deserves a "Well Done".
A great achievement. Also a wonderful role model for your daughters and grand daughters.
Lilibet
At least they know the DNA has some potential . . . đ
Bravo!! I thought about you yesterday, taking those brave steps to complete your dream. What a wonderful ending to months of hard work and tenacity. So happy for you. Congratulations!!
I'm sure I felt some of those thoughts encouraging me along, thanks!
Congratulations. That's an impressive achievement at any age.
Bravissima!
BRAVO!!!!
So pleased to hear that your excellent adventure came to excellent fruition. Not that any of us doubted you…
Many congratulations
Congratulations, Mater! You rock!
Dominique (not writing a lot, but reading you every day).
Thanks for reading, Dominique, and for commenting today. Much appreciated.
Congratulations!
Hey Mater, been away and just seen your post. That is amazing. Well done. Such a good time
Thanks! Your turn next! đ