I live about a mile from the start line, but meet up with some friends from my running group in advance. Sindy is going to be my running buddy/pacer today. We had run all season together and realized that we were the right speed to appropriately push one another.
At the start line, music is pumped through the speakers. I begin to dance. "Save your energy," the girls warn me. Forget about it -- I'm pumped!
*Boom* The start goes off. And the crowd of runners cheer. We begin to run only to come to a quick stop. We're nowhere near the start line -- there's at least 10,000 runners in front of us! So we walk for another 20 minutes until it's our turn to cross the line and officially begin count.
Sindy and I take off and run up through Rosslyn. We see costumed heroes, men dressed in drag, babies and doggies dressed as various furry critters, a few Waldo's, and a smurf. At mile 2, we hit our first water stop and agree to walk through it. At mile 4, we opt to take our GUs as well. This becomes our pattern for the remainder of the race.
Sindy and I enter into running banter. Vacation plans, dating dilemmas, past race experiences...any random thought that distracts us from the physical pain of the run. I tell her my next random thought, "I want to beat a smurf today." Sindy responds back, "Maybe you already beat one. He could be behind us." I don't know -- but I'd really like to beat a smurf today.
At the half-marathon point, I do a quick check with myself. I feel pretty good. I say to Sindy, "Hey! If we keep this pace up, we'll finish the marathon in...." "Don't say it!" she interrupts. We're on pace for a 4:40 marathon.
At mile 16, I do a quick check again. I still feel pretty good. A bit tired. But good for a 16-miler.
At mile 18, we pass another water stop and they are handing out Cliff Sport Beans. They taste like jelly beans. I grab two bags. Sindy tells me to keep going. She wants to walk. I lose my running buddy.
At mile 20, I run across the 14th Street Bridge. This should be the infamous wall. I have my hat on to shade me from the glaring sun. But there is no wall, I still feel good. I begin to pass a number of walkers.
At mile 22, I run through Crystal City. Still no wall. I keep running. And now...I see the Smurf! He's walking. I run by him and smile gleefully knowing that I beat a smurf!
At mile 24, I am by the Pentagon. Ooommmphhh...what's that...the beginning of a wall. But I've only got 2.2 miles left. That's less than 25 minutes if I keep running at this pace. I lighten my steps. I try to run more spritely by reminding myself how much more fun I am having than the walkers that I am now running past. No need to over-push myself. I just want to last until the end. No wall. No wall.
At mile 25, I have 1.2 miles left. Can I run faster? Mmmmm...no. I decide to keep my current pace up. I feel good. I feel good.
At mile 26, I only have the last .2 miles up the Iwo Jima Hill. This is it, friends! The very last of it. I do my best to push past the crowd of runners that have now slowed down. I want to get this over with though!! I try to run around the slower runners. Oh my god, I'm going to vomit. Don't vomit!!!
Wahooo...finally...I cross the finish line. 4:38 is my time. A new PR!!! Where's my medal?!!!
After a post-recovery meal of Pho and a good nap, I felt incredible. So good that I decided to register for the Goofy Challenge in January. Yes, that's the Disney Half Marathon on Saturday and the Disney Full Marathon on Sunday. You get a Donald medal for the half, a Mickey medal for the full, and a Goofy medal because you're crazy (or stupid) enough to do both.
I must still be on a runner's high.
