-->
Twin Cities Marathon 2014: My 40th Marathon!
I can’t even believe that I’ve run 40 marathons. I remember
when I first decided that I was going to become a runner. I wrote out my plan.
I was going to quit drinking, quit smoking, begin to drink water, to walk, to
change my diet, to lose weight and become a runner. In that order. It was the
day I became a goal setter. I
wanted the lifestyle that I believed a marathoner would live.
I created that life. I am living that life. I love every
day.
This recovery from Superior 100 has been a bit longer than
not only my other hundred mile finishes but longer than the other two Superior
100 mile finishes as well.
I didn’t have any of the body fatigue or soreness that
sometimes follows a 100 but I did / still do have very sore feet. My poor feet-both were
painfully blistered and swollen. After the inflammation subsided and the
blisters had dried I was still having foot pain. I described the symptoms to
Karl and he was pretty sure I was suffering from Morton’s Neuroma –as
he suffers from the same. Sure
enough, it is the diagnosis I received. I then had a shot of cortisone which I
don’t believe did anything to
better than pain. I posted my dilemma to
FaceBook and learned of others suffering from the same problems and the ‘work
arounds ‘ they are implementing.
I went into Twin Cities Marathon not knowing if I could finish due to the foot. I decided I’d start and then stop if the
pain became unbearable. I should have remembered I’m not really sure what
unbearable is!
The ride down to Minneapolis was a treat. I rode down with
my group of friends that I did RAGNAR as well as Get Lucky and Grizzle Grind
together. We’ve had a lot of fun running together this year! We had a perfect parking spot a few
blocks from the start.
The marathon implemented a wave start this year. It really
worked well. There was NO congestion, no walking for the first mile. Very
slick.
It’s really cool to run down Hennepin Avenue-normally a high
traffic area. Marathon morning it
is closed to just the runners. Fabulous!
About a mile from the start I had to stop to go pee. Instead of waiting in line for a port a
pottie near the Walker Art Center I opted to pee with the guys and just stood
near the fence, thrusting my hips forward and pulling my shorts to the side.
Genius!
The volunteers were amazing! I carried a handheld so each
time I needed a refill I stopped at the aid table and the volunteer was very
happy to fill my bottle with either water or Gatorade. When asked what I’d like
I said whatever is in your jug.
I hadn’t run Twin Cities Marathon since 2012. Many memories
came back to me of the past 9 TCM’s I’ve run. People along the route, aches and
pains, joys of Boston Qualifiers, tripping over a rake..running Ann’s first TCM
where she noticed her tumor in the bathroom stall next to me..…I miss her so. RIP sweet friend, 9 years this February. I
was going through the snippets of memories as they were flashing before my eyes.
After Hennepin we ran up the hill through Kenwood and onto
the Lakes. Lake of the Isles, Calhoun and Harriet. As I was running Calhoun I
looked over and saw Bonnie’s apartment of years gone by towering above the tree
line. I remembered the morning we
met at her place and ran 10 hours
around the lakes in prep for McNaughton 100. The trails were too icy so we ran the roads. Good times. Great memories. Man, we’ve shared a lot. I miss
it.
Running around Harriet I thought about all of the fat ass
50Ks I ran with so many friends who no longer run. I never thought those days
would end. We are now only a few. Wonder who will be there this December?
I looked to see if Jeffrey would be standing in the spot
that I’ve come to see him so many years running TCM. Nope..I didn’t see him there. No
Cowbell.
My foot began to bark at me. Not badly, but it was getting
there.
Minnehaha Parkway. A nice long stretch before we hit the
River. Lake Nokomis-too many
memories to list! Forefront in my
mind was my FANS 116 mile run. What a day! I thought of the people I shared
that day with. I love them so.
By the time I hit
West River Road I was a hurting unit. I tried to stretch out my toes, give them a bit of space. I
had just purchased a brand new pair of my favorite road shoe in a wide this time for more space. Ascis Kayano. I
had plenty of support and cushion. I popped an Advil. It took the edge off.
Well, I wasn’t going to stop at 18 miles. No thanks. I’d
finish this. Put the pain away.
Disconnect. Ignore. I’m good at this.
I was realizing about this time that I wasn’t really having
that much fun. I really wasn’t digging the asphalt and I remember thinking
hmmm…this might be my last marathon. I realized I much rather spend my time on
trail. I was tired of buildings and concrete and crowds of people whom I didn’t
know.
As I neared Summit Avenue I looked for John. I normally see
him here. Sure enough, I managed to yell out to him! It was really nice to see a friendly face.
I continued down Summit, taking in all of the people and
their signs, tiring of the large crowds. I knew I was approaching Mile 24 where
the TCRC (Twin Cities Running Co)crew would be.
My eye caught Nancy and Alicia in the crowd! I couldn’t believe it. I ran over for big
hugs. So nice to see them along the course! More memories!! So many, too many to
list!
I could see the TCRC RV up ahead. I waved to Kurt, shouted out and moved on. Two more miles!
The final push is so much fun at TCM. The bells were ringing
in the St Paul Cathedral, the flags were flying out about the finish line, the State
Capital in view. I looked at my
watch: 4:38.
We all met at the “O” Sign for our finish photos and our ride
home. It was so much fun to hear the adventures each had. What a splendid
finish! I was so spoiled, I had a
ride home, too!
My foot is still not right. It isn’t too bad with a shoe on,
but barefoot it feels like I am walking on an acorn.
I’ve had a great come back year for 2014 and the goal was Superior
100. I did it! A year ago I was walking
around with a boot upon my broken ankle.
I feel so blessed. I may just take some time off and heal my running body,
lift heavy stuff, recoup and recharge for my next training cycle
After Wild Duluth on Saturday? Not sure, yet.