The Marine Corps Marathon - My foot survived!!! VERY LONG

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

Chip time: 4:52:54 Yup, that long, but still a PR (this was my 3rd M)... The joy of being slow. Injury briefing/background: I got to the start line with 2 injuries in the bag: hip bursitis and a combo of ankle sprain with stress reaction (the last week, I even got an swimmer’s ear as the icing on the cake). MY PT and my doc cleared me to race, but because my foot was still hurting, they both told me I had 1 shot and I better shoot for the race, instead of a LSD. So off I went to DC. Meeting RMs and RDs: Direct flight, early check-in and I was in heaven, but scared as shit. I hit the gym for a quick workout and right after, I met originalsuds (coming from Boston), who was checking in with his family. We went for a short and easy run together and back to the hotel, to wait for Willamona (coming from PA), who came by train. We picked up our packs at the Expo and just didn’t feel like hanging out there. Way too hot and crowded. We all met at the Bebo Trattoria (nice pick, Tony!). The group was complete: Alemma (with DH and 2 DDs), Willamona, originalsuds (w/ DW and DD), Ron, Tpenn40 with his DS and I. <img alt="" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q112/ty71/079.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> TPenn (Tony), Alemma, TY (me!!!!), Willamona, originalsuds & Ron It was an early night and we had plenty of time to chill at the hotel. Alemma, Willa and I spent some extra time chatting. As Alemma mentioned, since we call ourselves tiwns, we found out we had the same outfit for the race. Add that to the jitters and you get the pictures of the two of us hysterically screaming. Alemma left me my breakfast for race morning (saved my life) and left for the night. I Went to sleep at 11pm. Race Day: I woke up at 3:50 with a loud noise of a toilet flushing in some other room. WTF! Although it wasn’t enough sleep, I got a decent rest. I decided to open the RMsRDs thread, like Suds and I usually do, and while I typed a msg, reality hit me and I could not stop crying. It was that little movie of my 3 months fighting injury, getting 4 hrs of sleep to fit my workouts, and several things that happen in my life that I could have used as an excuse to pull my training back and defer the entry to next year’s race. Why was it so important for me to be there? Running in several ways represents the power that I have over my own life. It’s just the way it is… I don’t know… We met at the lobby and walked to the start. It was cold and the disposable jacket I got at the expo was a good call. It was dark out and it was quite the scene to watch that huge crowd walking. <img alt="" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q112/ty71/MCM2007001.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> We dropped our bags, hit the potty line and walked to the start, splitting from Tony and Suds, who lined up with the 3:30/4:00 hr group. Willa, Alemma and I stopped at the 4:30/5:00. Willa was running to pace me and for the heck of it. Alemma was cold and nervous like I was. I freaked out, panicked because of my foot. Cried like a baby again. WTF am I thinking?????? They calmed me down and I tried to deceive the fear and get psyched. The gun went off and it took us probably 10 minutes to hit the start line. Alemma was already much faster and although she wanted to hang out, she just had to go. I knew she was going to fly like she did. The challenge now was to find my pace and not let Willa run over people. The fact that she has no lateral vision made it hard in such huge field. It was a bump-sorry-it’s ok-festival. It took us a little bit, but we set a nice system to not lose each other. Whenever it got busy, I would hold her arm and guide her or she would hold on to my shoulder. All I could thing was “What in the hell is my pace?” Willa was there for fun so she asked me to tell her what I wanted to do and she would go for it in pace. I had no clue… I decided I needed to warm up my foot first and get a feel for it, before trying anything. I did it for a bit and told Willa: I need to pick up. The fkn crazy woman just said “suuuuuuuure”, giggled and chatted the entire way! She was dressed as a school girl/cheerleader and had a blast. I won’t mess with details. She will give you a RR. It was gorgeous weather, the crowd was surreal and I didn’t want to be carried away until I was sure that my foot wasn’t going to turn into shit powder too early. The first 6 miles were very slow, but I knew I could push a bit. So, I told Willa: I need to push it now since my foot is not hurting. I know my legs will die at the end too. I need to take a chance now. Willa just giggled and said: ok, Ty, you tell me what you want to do… She was having her walk in the park… We switched gears and plugged along averaging something around 10:30. Good’nuff for me… <img alt="" src="http://www.marathonfoto.com/image_server.cfm?customer_number=G91A15&negs_number=44350129" style="border:0px solid;"> I was trying to keep my eyes on the road since my PT warned me that if I twisted my foot again, the damage would be really bad. At the same time, I needed to make sure Willa wouldn’t get lost… She was having too much fun, talking to too many people and hitting on too many guys, including the marines…LOL That served us well, since they taught her the “Hoorah!” And that became our war cry. We figured the best way was to have her running behind me. To make sure she was still there, whenever I felt the crowd squeezing, I screammed: WILLAAAAAAAAAAA! And heard back: “HOORAAAAAAAAAH”! Let’s say it was quite entertaining… and like that we went til the end of the race. My foot was hurting, my right hip was hurting, and then my good foot started hurting. I started getting a little more silent and Willa caught that: TY, how are things? And I would answer: I am fine. She knew I wasn’t, but pain was part of the deal and she knew that too, so she kept pushing… At mile 12, Willa joked with the marine, I turn to do my usual quick check on her and BAM! Tripped on a bump on the road and FLEW probably over 10 yards between trying to hold myself up, but diving and sliding on the asphalt. It was a very hard hit. Scared the shit out of Willa and it HURT, but I bounced back up and kept running. NOW I was REALLY hurting. We both teased: ok, the face plant is out of the way… Now, my entire body was hurting. We passed inspiring figures: a marine maybe on his late 50s, incredible shape, carrying the flag, marathon maniacs and veterans who made it all look simple and easy, the bumblebee guy… I was feeling really strong. My cardio was happy, but my quads were not. My foot was at a different level of pain now, but nothing I couldn’t handle. The more it hurt, the more I wouldn’t give a shit. I got mad and pushed. But mile 20 arrived and my quads went to hell to give space for the monster to spread out. I knew it was going to happen. That was the weight of 6 weeks with no long runs right before the race, and the very little training right before I twisted my foot. It made me sad, frustrated, but I tried not to get bummed. I just told Willa: I can’t talk to you anymore. If I don’t answer you, it’s because I just can’t anymore. I got into that fucking 10K tunnel. I didn’t hear or see anything. I wanted to push and my stupid quads wouldn’t go for it. My cardio was fine(thanks to Nicole1650, the crazy swimming coach, that cardio was the only thing I had all way down to the end), but my legs were shut. 800mg of Ibuprofen went straight down like water and did nothing. My pace was back to 1 minute slower again. Mile 22 passed by our hotel and the streets were packed. The crowd was crazy. Even the police were trying to get them off the course… At mile 23, we entered the Bonkyard. O-M-G!!!! We could barely see people running. It was a giant walking field. I hated it because it was sad and draining. There, hitting the wall also meant hitting a wall of people! WTF! Willa cared less, she was still giggly…LOL and I kept running… I don’t remember very well, but she said I was cutting through those people like crazy (I believe her because my Garmin shows 26.75 miles)… I just remember telling her to stay behind me so she could see me and I yelled directions: I’m on your right, keep going, watch your left, curb, course will turn right, getting down, cutting through! After 4 hours doing that, we both got pretty tuned up. At mile 24 I was a mad dog… oh boy, poor Willa… She was still as happy and having a great time as she could and I was freaking miserable! She asked me: How you holding up, TY? I mumbled: I’m fine… She tried to cheer me up: We’re almost there. We’re going to party! Tony is there! Suds is there! We’re going to party!!! I was in too much pain to care and yelled at her to stop.. She didn’t let go and kept pushing me. At mile 25, I saw people coming on the other side from the turn around and all I could think was (pardon my French now): Where the fuck is the fucking shitty son-of-a-bitch turn around, damn it! Where is that fucking hill?? The turn around came and I saw the short and mean hill at the end, straight ahead. The crowd was totally wild. I asked for help and they were already there. “I am going to eat this fucking hill up” and I did. I vaguely remember Willa: go Ty, go Ty!! Go!!! Pick it up!!! I did. I ran that thing. My quads were cramping, my foot was down to nothing and I was so mad that I could scream. I ran it up and Willa yelled again: Go TY! And I picked it up again and pushed like I had to make it in 2 seconds. I know I was slow, but I felt as if I was running really fast. I gave the rest that my legs didn’t have… I heard Suds yelling my name and I was so happy to see him! The three of us walked to grab food and meet his family, taking the shuttle back to the hotel. I swam a little to loosen up my muscles, while everybody took a nap. Party time came and we had a blast. I made sure I drank the beer, the apple martinis and Manhattan that the RMs&RDs requested <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> Nothing left from TY at the end <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> <img alt="" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q112/ty71/MCM2007010.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> 
Suds, TPenn, me, Willa 
I am really sad now the weekend is over. Everything was perfect. Even with the pain I went through. I am happy I did it. It was a PR against my miserable previous marathon, but it is a time still way slower than my initial goal. But finishing meant winning a battle against other things. I am ready for the next one. Batmomm!!!! See you in Richmond!

Xena · Oct 30, 2007

Great RR Ty...awesome job...you should be very proud. Tony told me that you guys really rocked it. FANTASTIC!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/headbang.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headbang"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/headbang.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headbang"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/headbang.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headbang"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/headbang.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headbang">

Nettie · Oct 30, 2007

I was wondering how you did! Way to tough it out! And you look fabulous as well as the other RMs and RDs!

KyKy · Oct 30, 2007

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

Fer · Oct 30, 2007

You are so freaking awesome, my dear!!! I can never cease to be amazed at your strength and determination. You can battle through anything. I'm so glad you are my friend. You keep me motivated and impressed all the time!! WTG girl!!!!

Jen · Oct 30, 2007

TY- You DID IT!!! You ran a tough Marathon, PR'd after two very big injuries very close to the race. You are so strong and tough. I'm sorry about your fall and the pain during the race- but you did it and finished, and finished strong!! Congratulations! I wish I could give you a big hug.

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

Nettie, thank you!!! I need to find you RR now!!!! 
KYKY - you know... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
Fer - I thought a lot about you several times during the race, thinking of how great of a job you did on your race and that I wish I had your confidence!! 
Jen baby!!! we're partners in injury and I know you understand the pain part here really well. I want you to remember that you can do this as soon as your doc clears you, ok?

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

MP - tks.

pace2race · Oct 30, 2007

Very inspiring! Congratulations and hope recovery is going well. I'm ready to read about your next one in Richmond now! Go get'em!

Alemma · Oct 30, 2007

Ty - twin sis - That is the best RR I have ever read. I felt like I was right there with you as I read every word. Oh the memories we will have forever. I am so sad that it's over too. And...YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!!!!!! You are absolutely amazing. You PR'd, you overcame your injuries, you smoked that monster. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! Your Garmin said 26.75???? Mine said 26.56!! I know what you mean about weaving around the crowds. But did we really weave that much??? Dang, I feel cheated!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
Ty - Congrats again! Richmond...heeeeeeere weeeeeee cooooooooooommmme!!!!!!!!! Muahahahahaha!

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

P2R - Tks!!! I am following you too!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> 
Alemma - I think the farther back, the bigger the difference with the Garmin. The amount of walkers was brutal... I kept thinking while I was runnin: Damn, I need to find the race director's path and hit the tangents here!!! LOL But it was impossible with so much we had to go around and stay together.

chosha2002 · Oct 30, 2007

OMGosh Ty... I felt like I ran that with you! What an awesome RR! I have read about your workout sched for the last few weeks and your determination and mental not to mention physical toughness is astounding! Congrats on the PR and might I add again... RM's & RD's ROCK!!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

Tks Cho...You guys pushed me through. I am just stubborn.

jeans541 · Oct 30, 2007

Ty--incredible!! You write such fabulous RRs! I felt like I was right there with you. I so admire your passion and your strength and stubborn-as-hell personality. Watch out Richmond--here come the RM's!!

JohnnyB · Oct 30, 2007

Ty, you are a beast. Your ability to live with pain and conquer it is an inspiration. I felt like you were running the same race with me for the last few miles. My heart and lungs also were great, but the legs were protesting vehemently. LOL. I never went over 177 HR the entire race. That is unheard of for me.

Timr1 · Oct 30, 2007

Great report. Loved the pics. I know that the injury impacted your training, but i'm glad that you were able to toe the line and go the distance. what a great day to race and what a fun group of strangers to do it with. 
I hope you recover well and quickly. Congrats on a great race! You rock! 
That's a good looking group of people there too.

Andi · Oct 30, 2007

Ty - What a RR. You are absolutely amazing. You have overcome so much and you pushed through so much pain to make it to the finish line. I hope I have that courage when it is my turn.

mtsnorider · Oct 30, 2007

Ty - that is an awesome report. All weekend I was thinking of you and the rest of the RMs and RDs - but I knew you were running with the recent injuries - you are strong, determined and inspiring! 
Congratulations!

IEatHills4Meals · Oct 30, 2007

Thank you guys! Pain is not fun, but it just pisses me off so much that I really try to run over it... maybe a symbolic thing... 
The more I think about it, the better I know that I just couldn't waste all the hours I put on the road before getting injured. 
Tim, I wish we had met <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad"> I'm sure we will work on that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> I have to say again that YOU ROCK!!! I was in total awe with the perfection of your race. 
John, I have to check my splits, but I think I kept it under 172... not sure... I know, I am a wuss...

wanderingoutlaw · Oct 30, 2007

Terrific job, IEatHills4Meals. I didn't realize this was a PR marathon for you! Congratulations!!! 
I've been quite inspired seeing you in the VRAA cross-training like crazy (when you couldn't run) and running (when you finally could). You deserved a PR, and you deserve another one in Richmond. 
Great race report too. I love that you included pictures.

The Marine Corps Marathon - My foot survived!!! VERY LONG

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