After my first half-marathon in February of 2010, I felt like I had a little "gas in the tank". Then I thought to myself....hmmmm I wonder if I should try to run a full. I took a little time off after the half due to my aggravated IT Band. Then my crazy running friend said there's a meeting for Team in Training soon. I got the deets and went to the meeting in late April. I was slowly getting back to running.
We don't have a Team in Training chapter in our area so the lady from TNT drove over from Ft. Lauderdale. I heard the mission, met the coaches and mentors but I didn't sign up. I had to really think about this. Hubby said ok, thinking in the back of his mind that he there was no way I was going to raise $3,200, especially in this economy.
I signed up under the impression that I was going to have the coaches and mentors that were at the meeting. I was wrong. The word didn't get out about the meetings so I was the only one that signed up from my city. I was adopted into the Fort Lauderdale chapter and was sent the monthly training plans. I was left to raise the money on my own. So not only was I training to do something I had never done before, I had this huge sum of money to raise by myself! There was a deadline fast approaching.
These ladies had ran marathons before and took me under their wing. I don't know what I would have done without them. I learned about the local "pit stops" and where our water stops were. There's something about runners and the special bond we share.
They ran 14 miles with me in the August heat, and 18 miles in the September humidity. After the 18 mile run in September, I injured my foot. I went to a podiatrist and he wanted an MRI. I didn't think I needed an MRI, so I went to another doctor.
He quickly found that I developed a case of plantar fasciitis. It's a common running injury. My options were to rest (hmmph like I was going to rest!) or get a cortisone shot. I opted for the latter. I came this far, I wasn't going to stop now. I was three weeks away from running the streets of San Francisco.
Know this about cortisone shots: If you get one in your foot, it might not hurt right away.....but a few hours later....Aye yai yai!!!
That's a whole other post.
So I took it reaaallll easy on the running until it was time to head to San Fran.
I met my Team mates before the flight to San Fran. Luckily I was able to meet them and get on the non-stop flight to SF. They were super friendly! We checked out the Expo downtown across from the hotel we were staying at.
You could make a dedication on this wall. It was displayed on the course.
This is the wall at Nike Town with everyone's name who is running the race.
We were told not to walk much the day before the race, so we went on a trolley tour.
Our coaches and mentors putting a big welcome for us at the inspiration dinner.
As we saw this man and read his sign, the waterworks began. It was so moving. It reminded me what I did and how it really affects people. He kept saying, "Thank you...Thank you.."
Yes, I have make-up on! I have to look good for the photos!!
Everyone I ran in honor or memory of.
The Team before the race.
The crowd at the start line. It took about 15 minutes for me just to cross the start.
Instead of a medal, we got a Tiffany charm and necklace!!
I've never been so sore in my LIFE! It was so worth it. Nothing in Florida could have prepared me for the hills of San Fran, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I met my goal. I ran the race, and I did it for cancer.
