So ... as usual I procrastinate getting ready for the race until it is almost time to go to bed. In my process of doing this I realized that my watch was almost dead and I could not find my charger anywhere!!! WHAT??? I looked everywhere. Couldn't find the silly thing. Hmmmm ... I have run very little since Boston (due to my silly leg/s) and most of that has been on the treadmill. Could it be that I left it in Boston. No way -- they would have called. Long story short ... they have it. Gave them my credit card and hopefully now it is in the mail!!! What a start!  Luckily my friend Stevie has the same watch. He was nice enough to charge it and bring it in the morning
I had no idea how this race would turn out for me. My bib number was 3332. Smooth said that meant: Alive Alive Alive Easy. So, I interpreted that to mean that if I took this run easy that I would cross the finish line alive!!! Sounded perfect!!! Going in, I really wanted to run around a 3:45, but had truly decided that I would be happy with whatever, as long as I didn't make any stupid moves like I did at Boston!
Went up with a bunch of my running buddies from the neighborhood. The only bloggers with us was JohnnyV (who doesn't really blog much anymore) and RivertonPaul (cousin of JohnnyV), needless to say, I think many of the my friends will begin blogging now. As fortune would have it, we saw Andy, Lowell, and Rich Borget as we were deciding which bus to get on and were able to ride up with them. Although I missed the rest of the bloggers tremendously, it was fun to be with this group as I have not spent much time with them at all. As we were waiting for the race start a bunch of us started calling out Smooth's name -- but no response  .
Before I knew it the race was off. I was shocked at how well I felt, I quickly wanted to change my plan and really race. However ... common sense (for once) kicked in and I settled for a not super easy, but definitely not a pushing it pace. My biggest fear was hitting the wall hard like I did at Boston -- I was almost certain it was going to happen (likely around mile 16 - 18) but my goal was to stave it off until the 20s. 16 came -- no wall, 18 -- still no wall, 20 -- I was definitely tired and slowing, but no wall, 22 -- same thing, 25 -- slowed way down, but nothing like Boston. Saw Andy, what a welcome site (it pays to be one of the harem) and MrsFit. Crossed the finish line in 3:38:18, my second best marathon time. AND ... I felt 100 times better than I did at the end of Boston. Make that 1000 times better.
Smooth told me she was going to run around a 4:20 ... I should have known better. I totally missed her!!! Stood at the finish line waiting and fearing as the clock was approaching 4:40. She snuck up behind me and I was SO HAPPY to see her. I am always amazed at how cheery she is even after suffering another major attack by that dang charlie!!!!
I think the only bummer part of the deal this race was everyone was talking about seeing Allie at mile 20 (I didn't see her). Dang!!!
Came home, chilled while I gulped down a slurpee watching my hot hubby do yardwork, attended a wedding reception, and then saw Letters to Juliet (cute show). GREAT DAY!!!!
Will take this week off and just crosstrain. I think that is what is best for my body.
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