My weekend....Part 2....Steamtown Marathon...for Paki...

After a somewhat difficult day at the Hartford Marathon on Saturday and a lengthy process of driving to the Scranton area in PA, I finally got to my hotel. It was 7pm; I was tired, hadn't eaten in hours and doubtful about my marathon in the morning. Dinner was first on the list, so after picking up some hot pizza (a great post and pre-race dinner in my opinion) I tried to get things in order for the morning. You know what it's like, when your brain is fried and the body isn't much better. You can't quite function on all levels. That was me. It took me forever to get things organized and we're just talking about the normal pre-race check list (clothes, watch, alarm set, etc). Eventually I got it all set out, then it was time to crash. I had no trouble getting to sleep, completely gone to the world.

Steamtown has a point to point marathon course. Runners park at the finish line and are shuttled to the start. It's a great system, but it usually means having to get there earlier, especially since the bus ride was 45 minutes long. Lucky for me, my friend Brent wasn't running, so he was able to drive me to the start area and drop me off.
 

 Frost covered morning

 The start line was right next to the highschool, and as quickly as I exited the car I hurried inside! It was super cold, evidenced by the frost on the ground. Outside the doors HS cheerleaders, decked out in their cheer uniforms, poms and all, cheered for the runners and handed out purple ribbons.  We had the luxury of getting to use the gym for warming up and stretching out. And even better, you had the option to use an actual bathroom instead of just port-o-potties! I was able to pick up my race packet and chat with some of my friends as we all waited for the 8am start to draw near. Steamtown is a fast course from what I'd heard, and a lot of people I talked with were hoping to get a BQ (Boston qualifying time) or PR (personal record). 

Gloria

Getting ready for the start

I met Gloria, who being from Florida, was completely freezing in the low 30 temps we had outside. She was running this as her first marathon and was just looking to finish. I was planning to keep an easy pace, especially since my Garmin watch was in one of it's moods and wasn't willing to turn on for me so I'd be running this one "pace blind." We walked out together for the start, placing ourselves toward the back of the pack. Caught up in conversation, I was totally taken by surprise when the race started. Most races have a buzzer, or a gun to start off the race. Steamtown had a canon. Had I realized they were going to shoot a canon for the start I would have taken video of it with my camera. I know my son would have loved to see/hear that! It was an impressive start, feeling the canon's deliverance from the ground underneath our feet. We ran across the start mat, with the smoke filtering through the cool air in front of us.

We rounded a corner, and started on a steep decent, passing a beautiful church that was lit by the sun and carrying the sound of it's ringing bells, like a chorus. It was a magnificent moment to take in, to see, and hear. I felt my spirit soar listening to those church bells, as though calling us to take on the road ahead. I wished I could have stopped and taken a picture, but as we were on quite a decline and packed in nicely, I didn't think I could stop safely and get the shot. Somethings can only be savored in memories, and this will be one of them. I took the moment with me, and kept on running. We were passing through a a little town and many folks had come out to see us off on our journey. The cool temps were exactly what I needed, and with a scenic backdrop of fall foliage, we were on the cusp of a simply a perfect autumn day.

 

I ran with Gloria for a short while until she decided to take a walking break. I felt like staying pace so I kept on going. The first few miles I was paying ample attention to the condition of my legs. With much of the first few miles having significant downhill, I was once again wondering how my quads would cope. In particular, I was feeling discomfort in my left quad (the same leg that has been giving me issues all year long). It made me think back to the other issues I have faced this year and I realized, this discomfort didn't even register on the pain scale compared to what I have pushed through before. I felt it with every step, but it wasn't about to hinder me today. And that was the last mental argument I dealt with about that. I began focusing on the external part of the run, the world around me, the people around me and most of all, Paki, the South African orphan, the reason I was running. Paki is 12 years old and is growing up in one of the poorest parts of South Africa.  He lives in a place where life expectancy is only 48 years of age, (almost 30 years less than here in the US) and 68% of the population live under the poverty line (families making less than $162 a month). Where do you find hope in that? This is why I chose to run for Paki, and the other children of 25:40. Do you have any idea how much your donation means? Your gift means life! It means everything!

 Paki

Amazingly within a few miles, my muscles had warmed up, my quad bothered me less and I was happily distracted with conversation. I ran for bit with Katie, a mom of two young babes, doing her first full. Knowing people are running their first marathon just makes me joyful! I know it's a day they will never forget and hopefully for good reasons. A little bit later I ran with Greg and Randy, both Marathon Maniacs. Again, sheer fun to get to run with other crazed marathon addicts, enjoying the day, the run, and just flat out having a blast.

 Before I knew it I was seeing the mile 9 marker. Nine miles? Where had they gone! I had life in my legs and a smile on my face. I felt great. But I sincerely wondered if I was making a mistake with my pace. I knew I was running faster than when I started out. I was passing people regularly, but everything was just flowing.

Steamtown had great aid stations and as we passed through the several small towns on our way to the finish in downtown Scranton. We were treated to lots of pretty views, friendly folks and the quaint nature of the area. At the half way point I saw the course clock with a time of 2:11. Now I knew I was running way faster than planned, it registered and the thought that I better slow down crossed my mind. But that thought didn't stick long. I didn't have any of the issues I'd dealt with the day before. My stomach was fine. My feet felt good. And even as it warmed up some, it was still significantly cooler than it had been at Hartford.

We turned onto the trails for a few miles and my feet enjoyed the cushioned leaf covered path. It was a little mini running paradise, with the sun cutting through the trees in various spots, but giving an abundance of shade and views of the Lakawanna River. Shortly after coming off the trails I spotted a girl with a sign that said my name on it. After seeing the sign with my daughter's name the day before, I had to stop and take a picture of mine, even if it really wasn't for me! Still a fun little needle in the haystack, it gave me one more thing to be happy about.

As we got into the later miles, lots of people were slowing down as there was a variety of little hills. I found myself pushing along with little effort, feeling good. I kept waiting for that moment when I'd be just burned out, but it didn't happen. At mile 23/24 there was one hill a bit steeper and longer than the others we'd tackled and I decided to walk part of it. Any time I lost there I made up quickly as I took off again, enjoying all the cheers from residents that were lining the streets. I found a couple people handing out beer in those last few miles and I didn't turn it down. Add another smile for this race!

Brownies at mile 22 = AWESOME!

The last mile I was feeling tired, but no pain. I couldn't wait to see what the finish clock would say and that curiosity was the best motivator. We had a downhill rolling into a flat section to the finish. The streets were lined with people, cheering and yelling, bands were playing; the air was full of energy.
I charged through to the finish mat, finishing in 4:17!!

 At the finish

It was a real emotional finish, knowing I had just hit a huge milestone. Steamtown was marathon #40 of the year, the 4th in 9 days, and the fastest of the 4! Not one mile of Steamtown felt nearly as bad as I'd felt the day before. Words probably can't describe how I felt right then. I was elated with my negative split finish and so glad to be done!

I started on this journey 8 months, 18 days ago. It has been a long, difficult blur of a year. Regardless of difficulty, injury, weather or personal financial stability I have held course through each and every race. I have finished every marathon, and pushed through every obstacle.

But what I haven't mastered is fundraising. While I am on schedule with my races, I am far far behind on donations. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; this journey isn't about me. What good is it if I run 52 marathons, but can't raise the funds for the needs of the children I am running for? After pouring all of myself into this journey, sacrificing time from my family, and pushing my body to the extreme, if I can't make the financial goal of $26,000 I feel like the work, the effort, has been wasted. I need your help! I really really need your help! My heart is so burdened for these children and every marathon finish is emotional, knowing I am one step closer to the final finish line. But there is still so much unfinished business.

I have 12 marathons left to complete my 52. I have $15,000 left to raise. And I have over 1,500 reasons why I need to complete both of these goals. For Paki, and Lani, Liza, Duma, Beko, Abelwa, Kolo.....

Because if I could, I would run a marathon for each and every one of those 1,500 children.

Because this is a journey of hope.

Because living life, means giving it.

If what I'm doing speaks to you, please help!

"If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one." - Mother Teresa

Race tee

Final Race Stats:

4:17:08 - finishing time

1335 out of 1945 overall

430 out of 739 women

61 out of 90 in my age group (25-29)