26.2

Today was D-Day. All the training, all the nutritional sacrifices, and all the time away from home reached it's climactic end today. Let's just say I was a little nervous as I rolled out of bed at 2:00 am this morning.

Last night I went to bed at 8:00 pm and could not fall asleep. I actually got busted by Lois around 10:00 pm as I was surfing the web on my I-Pod touch as I layed in bed. She asked me "What are you doing, don't you have a race to run tomorrow?" She then took my I-Pod away from me and told me "Go to Sleep!"

I finally drifted off to sleep and definitely was not a happy camper as the alarm went off this morning. After the pre-race routine of putting band aids over my nipples, stretching, putting on Body Glide in critical locations, pinning on my race bib, placing the timing chip on my shoe, eating bagels and bananas Lois dropped me off at Metropolis U to catch the bus to the top of the mountain. We filed out of the bus into the cold mountain air and into the darkness to wait for the start of the race.

Finally an hour and a half later 5:30 am rolled around and the race started. The first three mile went by quickly as we made our way down the narrow mountain road in the dark. I watched the sun rise as I made my way down the course. The entire race was worth it just to see the views of the mountains at daybreak as your heard the steady sound of foot falls around you.

At about mile seven I and many others were surprised to see this massively long winding two mile hill in front of us. I did not put in a lot of hill work into my training because the course map showed a nearly all down hill course. I actually made it through this surprise pretty strong but I believe it took it's toll later on in the race.

At mile eighteen I still felt really good and I was definitely in uncharted territory. Typically you don't run a 26 mile run during your training because you don't need to run that far to get the same results as running a 16 mile run and you also reduce your risk of injury. At mile nineteen the course heads back up hill but not at the same grade as the hill earlier. This is where my calves really started to tighten up and I started to struggle a little.

At mile 23 I finally saw my beautiful wife and the superkids waiting for me on the course. They started to cheer really loud as I approached and it really helped boost my spirits. I stopped for a moment for hugs and kisses and a little encouragement as they all told me I was doing great and only had three miles to go. Lois thank you so much for being so supportive and I can't imagine running a race without you being there.

I headed off once again and about a mile later my left calf started twitching and then cramped up and brought my run to a screeching halt. Those last three miles were definitely a lot slower than the first three and continuing forward when every muscle and tendon from your hips down is screaming for you to stop was a challenge.

This is when I really started to think about why I was running and for whom I was running.

First and foremost it was to prove to myself that I could do it.

Second I was running to raise money in memory of my Mother and Grandmothers.

Third I was running to show how important living a healthy lifestyle is to the superkids.

This is the part of the race that I got a little emotional. There was no question I would finish even if I had to crawl across the line. Luckily the muscles in my calves loosened up a little and I was able to finish the race like I started it and ran across the finish line to the cheers of my family.

I can't explain how awesome it felt to cross the finish line as my family watched and cheered me on. Four years ago I might have been able to run a race around a track and finish but I definitely wouldn't have even considered entering a 5-K let alone a marathon. My life has made such a huge change after meeting Lois and I have been loving every minute of it.

I then limped to our car with my family with a medal around my neck and a lot of satisfaction in my heart. People continued to congratulate me as they passed and I really felt a sense of accomplishment as I was thinking to myself I will never run another marathon. Hours later after an Ice bath and a nap Lois and I have already started discussing my next race.