HOW TO FINISH 26.2 MILES...

...with little training.

1. Go in with low expectations. Like, so low that all you want to do is cross the finish line while it is STILL THERE.

2. Run with your mom and dad with the understanding you're all sticking together till the end so you can give each other moral support. (My dad only ran up to 4 miles in training... You see, ANYONE can do a marathon.)

3. Walk when you need to so that instead of being near death at the end you actually feel PRETTY DARN GOOD!

4. Have a lot to talk about for 5 and a half hours. Bring all your breast pump jokes, they really take you far. Quantity, not quality, people. (sorry, dad.)

5. Sing. (I knew we couldn’t get through it without my mom bursting into song here and there.)

6. Try to talk your dad into collapsing just short of the finish line so that your mom and you can carry him in and make headlines. (Come on... wouldn’t that have been exciting?!)

7. People-watch. (Hmmm does that guy know he has something stuck to his bum?)

8. Gu at miles 7 and 16. Grab one at mile 20, and keep it in your fist until you finish. Why? I’m not sure, but that is what I did.

9. Drink Gatorade at all the water stops. Steer clear of the yellow kind.

10. When encouraging spectators tell you that you look great and you’re almost done, smile kindly and avoid any sarcastic remarks that may be on the tip of your tongue.

11. Make good use of the porta-potties at the beginning of the race so you don’t have to jump in the bushes later. I didn’t have to, but you’d be surprised at everyone, male and female, who does.

12. Have a good sense of humor. For example, laugh hysterically at comments such as, “Wow those bananas must be going right through them!” Runners are very open about their bowels.

13. Have a positive attitude. Just try it, say to yourself, “ONLY TWENTY MILES TO GO! YEEHAW!” Feels good don’t it.

14. Count all the squished mice, snakes, and grasshoppers you see on the road. Don’t re-squish them.

15. Don’t get too worried about the aches and pains you feel in your knees. They will soon move to your calves, feet, and hamstrings.

16. Say to yourself, “I had a baby 6 months ago. WHO CARES what my time is!”

17. Say to yourself, “Am I not the coolest for running a marathon with my mom AND dad?”

18. Say to yourself, “I get to see my hubby and kiddies at the finish line!!!!!!”

19. Say to yourself, “I get to sit down at the finish line!!!!”

20. Say to yourself, “I CAN DO IT!”


WE DID IT!



Our time was 5:33. I really felt good the whole time, I mean my body was sore and was like what the heck do you think you are doing to me, but considering I only trained to 13 miles I felt great! I think I could have done better too but it was worth it to me to stay all together. If this were my first marathon it would have been different but I’d done some before so my body already knew what to expect and knew that I could do it, and there was no pressure since we did it for fun. But I hadn’t done one since having kids, so this totally renewed my confidence in marathoning. I now want to train for another one, in the spring, when I am DONE nursing so in my race pictures I don't look like... well, you know. (Poor baby was starving!) The good news is, it shouldn’t be too hard to improve on this marathon's time...




My mom, dad and I actually ran this same marathon 5 years ago!!! My time was 43 minutes faster for that one! Here is us THEN...



And NOW!!




Thanks mom and dad, I had a good time!