By Tomi Scantlebury
For those of you outside Houston, it was a cold, wet, windy day; 48 degrees, pouring rain the first 4 miles, rain the next 3 miles, and winds around 15mph. As I looked around the George R. Brown I noticed that 95% of folks had on short sleeve, wicking run shirts. I had on long running pants, a long sleeved wicking shirt, running gloves and a non-wicking jacket. I was worried that all these people were right about their clothing, and I was overdressed, but I knew I could shed. Before going outside into the rain at 6:30 AM for the 7 AM start, I added a large trash bag to my attire. I wore that trash bag until after mile 7. I never shed a thing!

My Garmin had given out half way through the season but I usually ran with one or two people who had watches, and I didn’t want to spend $ on myself that could be allotted to any one of the 70 people I bought for this holiday season. In retrospect, I should have been a little more selfish.

My running buddy had done this particular marathon before. We started off at a pace slower than normal, but I put it down to the weather and the fact that he was pacing us. About half way through the marathon I asked him how we were doing time-wise with regard to our goal. He assured me we were on pace for a 5:45 finish based on us crossing the start at 7:16 AM. This seemed acceptable to me, especially since I was running on an injured foot. In favoring the foot, I had immediately pulled my opposing IT band so I was running with that too. Still, the run was feeling good. At this point I’m in my ‘groove’ and I keep realizing I’m leaving him…so I wait, we run together, I realize I’m leaving him, so I wait, etc. About mile 17 it just isn’t comfortable to run at that pace so I run on ahead. After a point I looked back and my buddy was no where in sight. At mile 20 there was a big sign that said “THE WALL”…I was still feeling good and kind of proud of that so I decided to keep running the last 10k. My friends Kevin and Pat surprised me (along with my WONDERFUL SAG crew, David and Linda) at mile 21. They took this photo. (Thanks!)

That’s David in the Uncle Sam hat; he wanted to be sure I could pick him out of a crowd! As you can see, I am still feeling pretty good for a wet, frozen chick.

Around mile 23 I hit my own personal WALL. Also, I had a complication that Super Heros David and Linda handled and SAVED THE DAY! …but dealing with it also derailed me in terms of time. Mile 24 was no better than 23…”WOW, had I really only traveled a mile?!!” 98% of the people left on the course had been walking since about mile 21 but I felt better jogging so I kept on..slowly. Up ahead I could see the 25 mile marker, and another lady still jogging. As I got closer to her she stopped to walk. I told her “Come on…we’ve only got a half mile to go. I’ll run with you”. She mustered through and we did it!!! I was slightly disappointed that my chip time was 6:04, but the marathon still called it ‘official’, so all is well. Next time; GARMIN! …and run MY run… Lesson learned. Still, it was nice having my buddy to run with.

After the finish line I realized my IT bands and hip flexors were toast. I think it took me an hour to get to Linda’s vehicle 2 blocks away. Okay, not quite that long… Soaking wet, freezing cold and knowing the only thing that would fix the legs was an ice bath. Is that ironic or WHAT? The ice bath did the trick and I was able to treat my support crew to a nice dinner.

We briefly met up with my friend & training buddy, Karen, who presented me with a bracelet & medallion commemorating my first marathon. We did it!

As for the plantar fasciitis affected foot, we’re back to square one…but it was worth it!

I thank you again for your friendship, support, and for your donations to Down Syndrome Association of Houston. Those of you who donated, and are able to make the ‘thank you’ happy hour on the 29th, will get to meet Kaela. Again, we raised $3595!

HugZ,
T.