Ideally, the ending of my blog would be me revealing that I've been dead all along.
So, after a bit over 2+ years of running recreationally, yesterday I finally reached what many consider the zenith of running - completing a Marathon.
It was good. Especially considering I had never run longer than 13.1 miles before, so 26.1 was a stretch. But, I counted on the one thing I'm sure of - my will is outstanding.
Prepared with the extent of Marathon knowledge the internet had to offer, carboloaded to the brim, and with plenty of gel packs, I got it done.
To be honest, my legs were much more my limiting factor than my endurance. With my fear of hitting the wall/death, I kept the pace nice and what I consider to be infinitely do-able.
It was a really really well run event. You could be tracked online or via text. Your name was on your bib so I got plenty of "Go Michael!"s. I think people appreciated my shortsleeve UT shirt (tactical decision that turned out invaluable on account of the relatively warm weather), so they gave me plenty of shoutouts.
I didn't walk once, although sometimes I think a walk/run technique would be maybe even faster. But I consider that cheating personally. It's
running a marathon, not traveling one.
I think it was a bit harder than I had expected. 4 hours is longer than a really long movie. And you're running the whole time. They weighed me before and after, and over the race I lost 8lbs.
The fruits of my labor:
And, I also got a sweet finisher's mug.
On the downside, I felt basically dead all day today and my walking is severely impaired . Borderline disabled. Got a bit of a case of the Post-Marathon depression (coupled with Cowboys losing depression). And I have this on my foot:
Honestly the hottest picture ever taken of me.
So, there you go. Marathon done. Post Script: the coworker who signed up first and got me to sign up even though I never wanted to run a Marathon but I just didn't want to be outdone didn't run it. Generally, I do what I say. I can be counted on for that.
To watch me finishing the Marathon,
click here. I come in about halfway through the video on the very right. Wearing all black, Under Armour beanie, sunglasses, and impeccable biceps.
This one is the same at a different more flattering angle.
On a non-Marathon related note, and more of "my mind works weird" note, I was walking (gingerly) around the office today and saw a paper on someone's desk that said this.
For a few seconds I thought, "Wow, I know you have to alert HR if you want to go on Maternity Leave, but filing a request to reproduce?" Then I figured out that it was actually about making copies or something.
I won't even get into the fact that there should actually be reproduction requests in real life. Why do you have to get permits for damn near everything, but not for one of the most important things - having a kid? That's the government for you.
Comments (3)
Congratulations! :D That's quite a feat--and even more so considering your only other longest race was a half! Nice pace, too! Are you going to do more? I like the day-after-race soreness but can't imagine what a post-marathon-day-after soreness feels like. Hope your toes heal fast.
congratulations!
Congratulations! Loved the video!