Big Sur International Marathon

We finished!

We headed out the door to pick up Carlos at 3:45 AM so we could make the bus ride to Big Sur. We had to catch the bus because it was the only way to get to the start because they closed down the roads until later in the morning. It was dark but there tons of runners walking around Monterey trying to find the bus pick-up. When we found the line it was HUGE and we had to walk way pass them to get to the end of the line. We got on the bus and there were no lights. It was quiet but you could feel the buzz of excitement.

On the bus we could see some of the view that we would soon be seeing in the light of day. We passed the aide stations and they looked like little camp sites on the side of the road. It took us a little over an hour to get to Marathon Village at the start of the race. They were playing music and every one was walking around like zombies trying to get to the porta potties and grab a bagel before the start.

My hip had been bothering me all week (which required a taper with not much running)....so I tried to stretch a bit while we waited. We were called to the start and there was just a huge mass of people in front of us. They sang the Star Spangled Banner and the gun went off....we had to walk to the start because the crowd was so large.

The first 4 miles or so were slightly down hill and amongst a crowd of trees. The crowd was alive and lots of people were pulling off to the side to go to the bushes to pee. Our pace was good and my hip wasn't bothering me much. I was extremely tired though because my daughter had kept me up all night two nights before and the night before we didn't sleep well either. I was so out of it and fatigued. It was also HOT. I had to take my shirt off and re-attach my bib to my shorts. Of course I wasn't prepared for heat! This race was supposed to be cold!

Soon we could see the ocean and people started to stop to take pictures. We approached the first of many hills and I had to slow my pace to get over them. We stopped to get some good pictures along the way and also stopped to pee a couple of times. Hurricane Point approached and it was really warm! The hill wasn't so bad because of all the training I had done in the mountains. At the top of the hill though we got some head winds that pushed us backwards for a few miles.

After the bridge (and the piano player)...around 14 miles, I stopped taking pictures and focused on the next stage of the race. I found Hurricane Point (the highest peak in elevation) to be the least of my problems compared to the second half. The hills just kept coming and I found that I wasn't making up as much time on the downhills as I expected (since there weren't many downhills, lol). Still on the flats I was keeping a 9-10 min/mile pace and on the hills probably a 12 min/mile pace.

As 18, 19 & 20 approached, I was aware that we were going to finish. This is a good feeling in a marathon, lol. Especially with an injured hip. I knew that I might feel a bonk around mile 20 so I was trying to keep the fluids up and also took a gel. The streets banked to the left and right so it was really hard on my knees and hips. This was one of the more challenging parts of the race.

The entertainment was good....almost every mile there was so random Rastafarian, belly dancer, mime, or drum circle. It was very sureal, lol. My knee was giving out and I stopped to walk for the first time around mile 22. It felt like something was loose in there and I was worried that I might not be able to run anymore. Luckily there was an aide station there and I slathered on some BenGay...and JJ got a hug from some lady in a trash bag.

My knee was better and I was running again...picking up my pace. They had yummy strawberries close to the end but I had my eye on the end. JJ grabbed one for me (nice guy that he is). We see the last mile marker right before a hill just ahead. We laughed...they have got to be kidding!!! Another hill! After the hill we could see the flags and the crowd cheering (and the loud speaker...such a wonderful sound to hear!). We sprinted toward the finish and I felt so excited, relieved and emotional.

They stop you right at the end and my eyes were tearing up as they put the medal around my neck and shook my hand. We waddled to the food tent and saw Carlos' smiling face. He had finished about 8 minutes ahead. Go Carlos! Our time was 4:53...better than SF! I read after the race that 30% don't even finish before the cutoff time of 6 hours. I am happy with my time and excited for faster times in the future.

The race left me feeling a lot of different things. The thing first and foremost in my mind was Mary. I had started to train for this marathon shortly after my miscarriage. Having a late miscarriage was an extremely painful time for me. Since I was 16 weeks, I had to deliver her in the hospital after 15 hours of labor. My milk came in but there wasn't a baby to feed. I thought the marathon would give me something to focus on and push through the post partum depression.

Throughout the training I fell in love with running again and even moreso with being outside. Trail running has become something I can't stop thinking about. I have done things I never really thought I would have done....another marathon and many races on trails and roads. I miss her terribly but I am also very aware of the happiness I have found since her death.

Mary, you were truly a gift in so many ways. I miss you and love you very much.