I've Been Freakin' Busy (Not Unlike Everyone Else)

Yeah, yeah. I haven't posted in awhile. I got married. I honeymooned. Less happily, I went to two funerals.

I trained for a marathon. Again.

I won't give all the grisly details of training through a Wisconsin winter, but will only mention the highlights of requiring water-/snow-proof running shoes with strap-on ice cleats (Stabilicers) and the occasional 18-mile run on a treadmill because it was too cold outside to breathe for long periods of time. (I have made Scott swear an oath that he will stop me—stop me, stop me please! I can't help myself!—if I ever again sign up for some endurance event requiring major mid-winter training.)

It was the February 15 AT&T Marathon in Austin, Texas, made attractive despite the timing because my daughter Carrie lives there. Scott, bless his heart, met me there late Friday night after a grueling week at a conference in Tampa. Scott, Carrie, C's bf Shawn, and I enjoyed great camaraderie and way too much good food and drink—causing me to gain 4 pounds over the course of the weekend, despite burning probably 3500 calories on the run.

The morning of the marathon dawned at 50 degrees, perfect for the event. Carrie, Shawn, and my "granddog" Saint met Scott and me at our hotel. Carrie had had special neon orange t-shirts printed for everyone—including daughter Laura and her bf Chad supporting from Boston (and who sent way cool pics modeling the t's)—emblazoned with the marathon info, and "Z-Team" on the front and each individual's name and favorite number on the back. I had raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and using multi-colored permanent markers, tattooed my legs with the names of my contributors. I felt so blessed to be supported in so many ways by so many loving friends and family members.

Our hotel was only a few blocks from the race start, and after hugs all around, my "pit crew" took their posts on the curb. Finally the race started, and being toward the back of the fray of 13,000 entrants, it started with a slow shuffle and took over 10 minutes to get to the official starting line.

I felt so good and after the initial glacial pace, the first 12 miles went faster than I expected. I was keeping a little over a 10:15/mile pace. (One friend had asked me if I thought I would finish in maybe an hour. Uhhhh.... let's see. The world record is over 2 hours. I'm 56, slightly overweight, and don't train as hard as I could. That would be a "no". And I had no idea I knew anyone THAT retarded.) Somewhere around Mile 12 or 13, I started getting a little cramping in my calves. That slowed me down a little, but I kept going. By Mile 21 the cramps were radiating up and down my legs, and I was reduced to mostly walking, although I was able to periodically grind out a pathetic little jog. Anyway, I finished, and I did do my best time for a marathon. (Previously it was 5:14, and I finished this one in 5:01:59, just missing busting that 5-hour mark by 2 minutes—next time! Next time!) Like with any airplane landing, anything you walk away from (or finish) is a good one. Hey! That time would have qualified me for the Boston Marathon—if I were 75 years old.

As grueling as it was at times, I had a great time in the run and over the course of the entire weekend. Having Scott, Carrie, Shawn, and Saint showing up on different parts of the course (with Laura and Chad and many other friends & family there in spirit) to cheer me on was pure delight. Even with the painful and less-than-pretty finish, I was proud of working for this and the improvement I achieved. And it motivates me to go for more.

For my next trick: Half Ironman-distance triathlon in July. Stay tuned.