26.2 miles!And just like that, it was over. With one final step I crossed the finish line, but I knew the finish line at the San Diego Rock'n Roll marathon was merely milestone...the race for a cure is not over and neither is my marathon career. During the 26.2 mile course, I passed spectators holding signs that read "Thank you for saving my life", and "TNT saved my mom!" I couldn't help but feel proud of what I had accomplished, it inspired me to keep running through the discomfort during those tough miles. On the course, there were tons of runners dressed in the purple uniform running for blood cancer just like me. Every purple jersey was decorated in honor of a specific person (or people) for whom they were running for. Some runners were cancer survivors themselves. There were 4,000 Team In Training athletes who participated in the race. Together we raised over $12,000,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from this one event alone! Trust me, thats not a typo! Together we made a difference.
I wish everyone could have the opportunity to experience what experienced this past weekend. Words cannot explain, but I will try:
The flight to San Diego took 77 members of the Washington/Alaska Team In Training chapter to California. On the plane, everyone was so amped up (yes, even at 6:30am). Shouts of "Go Team" echoed here and there and 95% of all conversations we about training, fundraising, injuries, cancer, racing, etc. Conversations with complete strangers we easy and fun. We got to San Diego checked into our hotel and headed for the Race Expo to pick up our racing packets and check out the vendor booths.
As we entered the expo, we walked down a long red carpet lined with cheerleaders as loud music rocked over the speakers. The was a large clock counting down to race time. Seeing that clock tick closer to zero flipped my stomach at the thought of running 26.2 miles in a race. I bought a few things at the expo, but also got to see my running idol, Deana Kastor!! She was at the expo promoting running and meeting other athletes who were there to compete. I got my race bib number signed by Meb Keflezighi. Meb was this year's winner of the New York City marathon and the first american to win the event since 1982! He signed "Kile, Good luck & run to win! -Meb". I thought that was pretty cool to meet such an elite athlete!
Saturday, I woke up for a morning run on the beach. Nothing too long, just enough to get my legs moving and loosened up for the big race on Sunday. I spent the entire day drinking water, glass after glass of nothing but H2O. The best part of Saturday was the Inspiration dinner/Pasta Party! This event was held for all TNT members who raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. It was our chance to carbo-load and get inspired for a great race. I ate so much food its not even funny!! The speaker at this event was a father who had lost his 12 year old daughter to Lymphoma. It was the saddest, yet also heart-warming talk I had ever heard. Bythe end of his talk, I was litterally bawling my eyes out. I would think of Grace Gibson and cry even harder. There were 2,000 athletes in the room and not a single dry eye. One thought that flashed through my mind "I've been drinking all this water for hydratation...now its coming out of my eyes!" The pasta party was full of tears and full of laughter. It made me appreciate everything I have in my life and the ability to help others.
That night we had a team meeting and decorated our race jerseys. I wrote notes on my jersey to remind myself why I was running:
"Remember Bill S."
"Because Pam Renaker is a Rock Star - Survivor!"
"Never forget the spirit of little Gracie"
"For Teri who continues to fight. Get well soon!"
Race Day:
3:30am - Wake up call. For breakfast I had oatmeal from a coffee maker = breakfast of champions! Then, after a team meeting, the shuttle left for the start-line at 4:30am. When we finally arrived I took my belongings to gear check, waited 30 mins in line for the port-a-potties, stretched, and drank some water. By 5:50am the Navy marching band was marching to start line to signal everyone to take their place in line. The starting line was about 1/2 mile long on a city street with shoulder to shoulder runners. Right before the gun sounded, the national antheim was played and I dumped a last-minute packet of salt down my throat to help my body retain water. The gun went off at 6:15am and the elite runners took the course! At 6:19 am I crossed the starting line...there was no turning back!
It took almost an hour for all the runners to cross the starting line once the gun went off, by this time in the race I was already passed the 7 mile mark and hanging the with 3:40 Boston qualifying group. I was going to see how long I could run with them, but around mile 9 I felt my IT band tighten up. By mile 11, I was limping everytime I tried to run and mentally prepared to walk the rest of the race! I would stop and stretch and walk then try to jog, then stretch some more...this went on for atleast 2-3 miles! One of the Team In Training coaches told me I should consider taking the half marathon course at the split off point...I told her I was going to finish all 26.2 miles even if I was the last one to finish the race. Then, just after the half way point (13.1 miles) it was clearly an act of God...the pain went away and I could run again! To me, it was nothing short of a miracle!
That night we had a team meeting and decorated our race jerseys. I wrote notes on my jersey to remind myself why I was running:
"Remember Bill S."
"Because Pam Renaker is a Rock Star - Survivor!"
"Never forget the spirit of little Gracie"
"For Teri who continues to fight. Get well soon!"
Race Day:
3:30am - Wake up call. For breakfast I had oatmeal from a coffee maker = breakfast of champions! Then, after a team meeting, the shuttle left for the start-line at 4:30am. When we finally arrived I took my belongings to gear check, waited 30 mins in line for the port-a-potties, stretched, and drank some water. By 5:50am the Navy marching band was marching to start line to signal everyone to take their place in line. The starting line was about 1/2 mile long on a city street with shoulder to shoulder runners. Right before the gun sounded, the national antheim was played and I dumped a last-minute packet of salt down my throat to help my body retain water. The gun went off at 6:15am and the elite runners took the course! At 6:19 am I crossed the starting line...there was no turning back!
It took almost an hour for all the runners to cross the starting line once the gun went off, by this time in the race I was already passed the 7 mile mark and hanging the with 3:40 Boston qualifying group. I was going to see how long I could run with them, but around mile 9 I felt my IT band tighten up. By mile 11, I was limping everytime I tried to run and mentally prepared to walk the rest of the race! I would stop and stretch and walk then try to jog, then stretch some more...this went on for atleast 2-3 miles! One of the Team In Training coaches told me I should consider taking the half marathon course at the split off point...I told her I was going to finish all 26.2 miles even if I was the last one to finish the race. Then, just after the half way point (13.1 miles) it was clearly an act of God...the pain went away and I could run again! To me, it was nothing short of a miracle!
Miles 14-21 went by as expected...but right around mile 22 it felt like I had weights chained to my ankles! The temperature outside was about 80 degrees as the sun beat down on me. I couldn't stay cool enough and it was all I could do to keep running. Every step I thought about Teri. I thought about Grace. I thought about Pam. And, I thought about Bill. I wanted to the race to be over so badly but I still had 2-3 miles to go. Every chance I got I was dumping water over my head and chugging Cytomax (its a sports drink, similar to Gatorade). Mile 25 was an emotional mile for me. Tears filled my eyes when I thought about how far I had come, not just in the race itself, but the fundraising and the training too. I thought about how lucky I was to still be running when 11 miles ago that didnt seem like it was going to be an option. The last 2 miles, it also hurt to keep running, but it also hurt to stop running, my muscles would tighten up...so I just kept running. The last .2 miles was crowded with fans. Their cheers carried fatigued runners to the finish line. Crossing that line was the BEST feeling ever! So after 3 packets of salt, 5 packs of Gu, 1/2 gallon water and 1/2 gallon cytomax, my finishing time was 4:00:16.
They gave me a cold towel to help cool off. It felt amazing! I grabbed my finishers metal and continued walking to prevent my muscles from cramping. I then waited for Abby and Ellen to finish the race. We all agreed that this was one of the most fun and most fulfilling things we had ever done. We all had an incredible runner's high that lasted for days! All three of us will definately run a marathon again. In fact, as soon as we got back to Washington we registered for the Portland Marathon...those Keynan's better watch out! :P
Anyways, after the race, we went back to the hotel, hopped in an ice bath then showered and got ready for the Team In Training Victory Party!! The party was awesome....lots of food, drinks, dancing, and marathon battle stories. Absolutely incredible. Anyone who has the opportunity to join Team In Training should do it without thinking twice! It will change your life.
I want to thank Teri, the Gibson family, Pam, and the Spicher family for giving me strength. The strength they embodied throughout thier journey with cancer was the reason I was able to complete this challenge. To everyone that donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...you are saving lives! Thank you!! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people!
No comments:
Post a Comment