Race Report-Jacksonville Bank Marathon
Well, I'm officially a marathon finisher, the race had it's ups and downs, but I am so happy I am at a point in my life where I can complete a marathon.
Woke up at 2 am after 3 hours of restless sleep. Had a Click shake to wake up, woke everyone else up and we all started getting ready. It was me, my husband Joel, our 2 girls, and Loraine. Oh, the 2 weenie dogs went too. 2 and a half hour drive to race site, had a snickers marathon bar and a banana on the way, along with a whole bottle of G2. Got to the race site right as packet pick-up began, picked up packet, put chip on my shoe, and number on my race belt. The weather forecast said it was going to be sunny in the mid to upper 50's, it stayed in the low 40's and drizzly in the morning and throughout the whole race. I was not dressed for the weather. I had on running shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt, so I was really cold.
I felt under prepared for this race. I had injured my foot at the half marathon on Thanksgiving and had to take 2 weeks off of running and had to skip a 20 mile training run. Before the injury I did 2 18 mile training runs, I think that might have been just enough to get through this race.
After peeing a few time I waited at the start line for the race to start. It was a marathon and a half marathon so there were a lot of runners. The gun went off, it took me a little over a minute to cross the start line and my race began. The first 3 miles had us turn-a-round and pass the start line area again, so Joel stayed at the start line to see me run by, he was cheering and holding up a sign for me. It was nice to see him, after this I wouldn't see a familiar face until the finish line.
Despite not being able to run as much as I had wanted to the past few weeks, I felt pretty good. The first 21 mile I kept my pace under 10 minutes. I had to stop to pee at mile 11 but I got it done in 20 seconds and that mile was still under 10 minutes with the port-a-potty stop. At mile 22 it started to hurt, bad. Mile 22-26 I kept my pace between 10:12 and 10:25, my mind wanted to go faster but my body wouldn't do it. My legs were really hurting and I fought everything I had not to start walking, I won that one. I took a gel at mile 7, 14, and 21, which worked out pretty good. The gels gave me gastric distress after the race,but at least it didn't happen during the race, I will have to try different gels before the next big race.
The race was set up to where you enter a high school stadium and run on half of a high school track to the finish line, an announcer calls your name as you enter the stadium. As soon as I entered the stadium, my group spotted me and started shouting, cheering, and ringing cowbells. It was Joel, our girls, Loraine, and one of my buddies from the Army, Lorraine, who lives in Jacksonville (we call her, "the other Lorraine). It was so awesome to see everyone, my legs hurt so bad, and seeing them put a big smile on my face. I gave them a big smile and a wave, and crossed the finish line. My finishing time was 4:17:00. I was given a finishers medal, I was shivering but they were out of Mylar blankets. I found everyone and got my big hugs, and everyone told me how proud they are. Getting my hugs and kisses from Joel for the first time after a big race meant so much, I missed him s much while he was deployed, and always wished he could be at a race. Loraine saw I was shivering, and gave me my jacket, I was so happy she though to bring it, since I was so cold and shivering. She then informed me that a bunch of the half marathon people had taken 2-3 Mylar blankets, so its no wonder they ran out.
I hobbled back to the truck with everyone. It was hard to leave because I wanted to catch up with Lorraine, since it's been so long since I have seen her. I was so tired and my legs felt like they were going to cave in from under me, so we agreed to meet up again when our schedules will allow. I put on my calf sleeves for the 2 and a half hour drive home, Joel drove since I didn't think I had it in me to even push on the gas pedal lol.
Overall I am happy with how I did with the cir****tances of coming back from an injury. I feel that if I didn't get injured I could have done a little better. My only goal coming into this race was to finish without walking any of it, which I did. There is nothing wrong with walking in a marathon, just for me, I didn't want to do it. I will be doing the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll marathon next year in November, a few months after Ironman Louisville, so it will be neat to see the difference a year will make. Here are a few pics from the race
Woke up at 2 am after 3 hours of restless sleep. Had a Click shake to wake up, woke everyone else up and we all started getting ready. It was me, my husband Joel, our 2 girls, and Loraine. Oh, the 2 weenie dogs went too. 2 and a half hour drive to race site, had a snickers marathon bar and a banana on the way, along with a whole bottle of G2. Got to the race site right as packet pick-up began, picked up packet, put chip on my shoe, and number on my race belt. The weather forecast said it was going to be sunny in the mid to upper 50's, it stayed in the low 40's and drizzly in the morning and throughout the whole race. I was not dressed for the weather. I had on running shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt, so I was really cold.
I felt under prepared for this race. I had injured my foot at the half marathon on Thanksgiving and had to take 2 weeks off of running and had to skip a 20 mile training run. Before the injury I did 2 18 mile training runs, I think that might have been just enough to get through this race.
After peeing a few time I waited at the start line for the race to start. It was a marathon and a half marathon so there were a lot of runners. The gun went off, it took me a little over a minute to cross the start line and my race began. The first 3 miles had us turn-a-round and pass the start line area again, so Joel stayed at the start line to see me run by, he was cheering and holding up a sign for me. It was nice to see him, after this I wouldn't see a familiar face until the finish line.
Despite not being able to run as much as I had wanted to the past few weeks, I felt pretty good. The first 21 mile I kept my pace under 10 minutes. I had to stop to pee at mile 11 but I got it done in 20 seconds and that mile was still under 10 minutes with the port-a-potty stop. At mile 22 it started to hurt, bad. Mile 22-26 I kept my pace between 10:12 and 10:25, my mind wanted to go faster but my body wouldn't do it. My legs were really hurting and I fought everything I had not to start walking, I won that one. I took a gel at mile 7, 14, and 21, which worked out pretty good. The gels gave me gastric distress after the race,but at least it didn't happen during the race, I will have to try different gels before the next big race.
The race was set up to where you enter a high school stadium and run on half of a high school track to the finish line, an announcer calls your name as you enter the stadium. As soon as I entered the stadium, my group spotted me and started shouting, cheering, and ringing cowbells. It was Joel, our girls, Loraine, and one of my buddies from the Army, Lorraine, who lives in Jacksonville (we call her, "the other Lorraine). It was so awesome to see everyone, my legs hurt so bad, and seeing them put a big smile on my face. I gave them a big smile and a wave, and crossed the finish line. My finishing time was 4:17:00. I was given a finishers medal, I was shivering but they were out of Mylar blankets. I found everyone and got my big hugs, and everyone told me how proud they are. Getting my hugs and kisses from Joel for the first time after a big race meant so much, I missed him s much while he was deployed, and always wished he could be at a race. Loraine saw I was shivering, and gave me my jacket, I was so happy she though to bring it, since I was so cold and shivering. She then informed me that a bunch of the half marathon people had taken 2-3 Mylar blankets, so its no wonder they ran out.
I hobbled back to the truck with everyone. It was hard to leave because I wanted to catch up with Lorraine, since it's been so long since I have seen her. I was so tired and my legs felt like they were going to cave in from under me, so we agreed to meet up again when our schedules will allow. I put on my calf sleeves for the 2 and a half hour drive home, Joel drove since I didn't think I had it in me to even push on the gas pedal lol.
Overall I am happy with how I did with the cir****tances of coming back from an injury. I feel that if I didn't get injured I could have done a little better. My only goal coming into this race was to finish without walking any of it, which I did. There is nothing wrong with walking in a marathon, just for me, I didn't want to do it. I will be doing the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll marathon next year in November, a few months after Ironman Louisville, so it will be neat to see the difference a year will make. Here are a few pics from the race
Jillian
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Army Wife, 3x Ironman Finisher
Jillian,
You really rocked this marathon, coming off of an injury. You dug deep when it got hard. Your husband must be so proud!
Cassie
You really rocked this marathon, coming off of an injury. You dug deep when it got hard. Your husband must be so proud!
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! Great story, great inspiration for those of us who are following you! Rest well and enjoy this great accomplishment! I'm sure your husband and kids are very proud of you! You should be proud of yourself as well. What a great Christmas present! Enjoy it!
Mike
Mike
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
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