Here it is

The night before was awesome we carbo loaded, shopped, and gave each other a good leg rub down.

Brooke, God Bless her speedy little heart said we ought to wake up at 4:00 am to eat, 3 hours before the start. “Follow the plan!” is what she kept saying. I told those crazy girls they need to go eat in the closet and keep the lights off. That’s just too dam early!

But with all the laughing and nervous energy I gagged down a bagel while practically sleeping. Follow the plan!
Now we are up and at em almost ready to leave. I swear to God maybe eating so early was good because I was so freaking nervous I almost puked while brushing my teeth!

Dear god what am I doing!? 26.2 miles is far and I didn’t train the way I wanted! Ugh no backing out now!

We hopped on the school bus to the start. Got in line for the Honey Buckets and I nearly puked again. So gross. So nervous. Niki was assigned coral B and we were in coral A. So there was a little sneaking to get her in coral A with us. My goal was obviously sub 4 and I was really hoping for at least 3:48, the right side of 12 you know. I felt so out if place in coral A. What the hell?! All these people are fast! I’m gonna get run over! I took a deep breath and reminded myself that even if I didn’t go 3:45 ish that I was most definitely not going over 4 hours so my happy, kinda unprepared ass is staying put!
The gun started and off we went. I’m pretty slow to warm up, I never go out fast, and the same held true race day. Just stay under a nine minute mile and don’t risk blowing Goal A. Let the crowds thin out and just hang back. No hurry 24 miles to go. Niki and I had kinda agreed to run the first 18-20 together then if gas in the tank go for it. Main objective sub 4. Duh.
It was about 50 and overcast but warmed up a bit and by mile 7 I took my shirt off and ran just in a very thin unpadded sports bra.I just hate things touching me. But holy god if I would have realized how terrible I looked maybe I would have kept my tank top on. Ah, probably not.
I felt great! A tiny bit of side aches at the beginning(which I never get). But no shin issues and I was just happy to be running so effortlessly. The plan was to run without music until mile 13 but I didn’t need it until mile 16 or so. I think it was at mile 17 I just said to myself, ” I love this shit! I love you marathon! Let’s do this!”
I can’t remember where exactly Niki and I parted ways, I think it was around 20 and I was really done screwing around. I wanted to put every ounce into this. I could hurt tomorrow. I kept crazy even splits almost the entire race. The last 2 miles were in the low 9’s and it was getting quite warm. No one passed me the last 2-3 miles and I was chewing them up the best I could. I “chicked” this guy that I had seen a few times and there was no way in hell I was going to let him pass me! No. Freaking. Way.
Mile 25 I saw Brooke standing on the curb looking for us. I don’t think I was ever so happy to see someone! She is a rockstar and knows just what to say. It was a pretty emotional experience to see her and I can’t repay her enough!
I knew I had it and I kept gutting it out. But where the hell was Hayward Field?! I should be able to see it!
A few moments later there it was!

Running through the gates and onto Hayward was awesome! I gave it everything I had! Dipped into low 8 min pace.

Most heinous race picture ever but I’m owing it! I don’t care! Take that 26.2!
And just like that…it was over.

The three of us doing the full PRed and Diane, my good buddy BQed with 5 minutes to spare! Brooke was injured so walked the half as to not risk anything and she practically walks faster than I run.
A truly wonderful weekend!
Can you top that?!