Carpe diem marathon
Just Seize the Day!
The Mardi Gras Marathon will go down in my memory book as the marathon of opportunity and indecision.
Whenever I have the opportunity to travel, I can’t resist looking to see if there may be a race nearby that I can run while I’m in town. So, when my niece announced that she was getting married in New Orleans, I discovered that the Mardi Gras Marathon & Half Marathon were the same weekend.
I was having trouble deciding which one to do…be prudent and register for the half, knowing that I would be dancing and drinking until the wee hours of the morning, or seize the opportunity to add another state to my marathon list and go long. What to do? What to do?
New York’s lovely winter was certainly pushing me toward the half. Since November, I was spending more time spinning and doing short interval runs on the treadmill to avoid the icy roads. My Sunday long runs were stuck in the 10-mile range. It seemed like the decision was made for me. Then, I tagged along with a friend of mine on his 18-miler. The voices in the head started all over again.
A week before the race, I pulled the trigger and registered for the full marathon, knowing that I could opt for the half the morning of the race if necessary.
When I arrived in New Orleans for the wedding, it was a whirlwind of activities, rehearsal dinner Friday night; a 4-mile run with the bride through the French Quarter Saturday morning; walk to the expo to pick-up the race packets; walk to lunch; then the wedding and reception. I was in three-inch heels for 8 hours from pre-wedding photos through dinner and dancing. The fried green tomatoes, truffled potatoes, red fish, filet mignon, champagne, wine and vodka cranberry spritzers certainly weren't my normal pre-race meal.
That night as my brother and I headed to our rooms at midnight, I told him I was sure the half was all I could muster after the “marathon" of wedding events. But, when the alarm rang at 5 a.m., my feet had short-term memory loss. I wanted that 5th state regardless of how long it took me to finish.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, especially for this northern girl who was been looking at dreary gray skies for the last three months. I cherished every golden drop of sunshine as the birds sang overhead. I’m sure it was the bliss of running outdoors in shorts that made me completely oblivious to the tightness that was starting to build in my calves by mile 18. I’m guessing the 8 hours in heels caught up with me by then.
I massaged Biofreeze into my calves to halt the cramping and stopped at the medical tent for salt packets just in case it was more of an electrolyte issue. Then, I turned my face toward the sun and returned to the course. Around mile 23, I saw my fellow New Yorker who was approaching his 19th mile. We exchanged hugs and kept on soaking up the sun.
I finished my marathon of opportunity in 4:54:43 – not a PR, but certainly respectable given the inconsistent training and the pre-event partying. Most importantly, I had a great time and I can add one more state to my collection….only 45 more to go.
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
you are awesome! i laughed when i read this post a moment ago when i thought about what i would have done given the same cir****tance. i laughed because i still don't know which way i would have gone (except the fact i would probably have left the 3 inch heals at home) :)
Where are we going?? And why am I in this handbasket??
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
Carpe diem, indeed!
I can't imagine deciding MORNING OF to run a marathon! Good for you! Completely impressive!
I can't imagine deciding MORNING OF to run a marathon! Good for you! Completely impressive!
Read my blog, BARIATHLETE I run because I can.
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
I put my trust in the base that I had built up for my November marathon to carry me through. But, the sunshine was the true elixir.
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
You are the man!!! I would have opted for the 5k or maybe run the kids race as a bandit!
Scott
Link to my running journal
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303681
4 full's - 14 halves - 2 goofy's and one Mt. Washington!
Link to my running journal
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303681
4 full's - 14 halves - 2 goofy's and one Mt. Washington!
Wow, you are my hero! It sounds like such an incredible experience. You inspire me. So when are you coming to Northern California to run one?
Jan
Jan
Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40) First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
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