2009 The Cowtown Marathon

WHAT A DAY! It all started with Glenn returning home at 2am from a camp-out with Ben. He left Ben with the 11-year old Scouts; someone would bring him home later this afternoon.

Glenn got a bit of sleep and then we left to pick-up Greg and Debbie (running buddy) at 5:30am. We headed to Fort Worth, along with 17,000 other runners! Talk about a sea of people! Along with a marathon, there was an ultra, a 1/2 marathon, a 10K, a 5K and a Kid's 5K... there were 920 who completed the marathon. I was the 279th runner that finished. (Before I went to bed last night, Nick (7) told me, "Mom, just try to get 1st okay?!") Well, I tried! I did get 9th (out of 42) in my age category!

Christopher's baseball coach was picking him up at 9 for practice. Practice would last till 10:30 and then he would bring him home. Zachary's basketball coach was picking him up for the season tournament at 11 and then brought him home. We have such WONDERFUL coaches! I was happy that Nicholas did not have a gymnastics meet. And Emma had nothing either. So, in the back of my mind, while running in the 33 degree weather, with a 23mph wind gusting I was just praying that all my children would be safe at home when I got back! (Christopher's baseball practice was cancelled due to high wind and cold temps!)

The Marathon was AWESOME! I was on par for the 1st half with an 8:36 mile pace. I fell on the 2nd half with a 9:39 mile pace. (I needed to maintain an 8:50 pace in order to qualify.) They had an 8:50 pacer, but he ended up coming in AFTER me - good thing I didn't follow him! We were actually following the 8:40 pacer for a good portion of the race!

Glenn and Greg kept me entertained along the way! I would never know where I would see them next. They had brought bikes and were here-and-there and EVERYWHERE along the way! Talk about supportive husbands! Debbie and I are both lucky!

You see, my goal was trying to qualify to run in the Boston Marathon with my SIL! It was an enormous goal for me SINCE I HAVE NEVER RUN A MARATHON! I needed a 3:50 but fell short with a 3:59! Considering the elements (wind and temp) I was very very pleased! I feel as if I had did my best! That's a good feeling! I never walked once, except for here:

So, I just need to shave 9 minutes off my next marathon - did I really say that - and maybe still meet her in Boston! And maybe I can drum up a few other SILs to join us too!