September 14, 2008

Hell And Back 26.2



Marathon 9/13/08 Dedications:

In Memory Of: My Mom and My Brother, David...ALWAYS IN MY HEART, ALWAYS REMEMBERED!
Dedicated To: My Wife, Marilyn, Son, Scott, and Daughter Lauren, with my deepest apologies for the hell I put you through on September 5, 2007. I LOVE YOU!
Dedicated To: My Dad for being a great Dad through all the years...doing so much for no recognition! THANKS and I LOVE YOU, DAD!
Dedicated To: My Sister Julie, and brothers Jim and Rob for their ongoing support and love! Thanks for the encouragement.

I didn't tell anyone about the dedications until after I finished because I had a few doubts that I'd be able to finish 26.2 miles despite filling my brain in the weeks before with positive imagery.

3:33 a.m. to 11:48 a.m. - 8 hours 15 minutes

A few not so earth-shaking thoughts:

> The iPod my kids & sis got me for Xmas was a big help!
> I like walking in the middle of the night.
> Listening to Close Encounters of the Third Kind by deserted sand dunes was cool.
> At mile 18 when I really wanted to quit, I heard Mom and David saying I had done enough but they encouraged me on.
> The Venice Boardwalk is still a pit...homeless sleeping everywhere and dirty.
> I passed two open donuts shops. I didn't stop.
> The jet that appeared out of the fog from behind the sand dunes made me grin.
> Drank 68 ounces of fluid...34 more after I finished.
> As I crossed the Ballona Creek Bridge and saw the Marina channel, a part of me wished I swam well enough to get across but realized that would mess up my mileage.
> Took nuts/raisins, a banana, an apple and 2 energy bars. Had a few raisins/nuts at the end.
> I walked facing oncoming traffic in the street whenever possible and safe.
> I stopped for 30 seconds about 6 times to stretch on a bench or using a pole.
> Came upon lots of LA Leggers on the Venice Boardwalk training for the LA Marathon.
> Didn't find any golf balls for Scott around the Brentwood Country Club.
> I walked topless from the very beginning.
> In the last mile, my legs hesitated a few times and I had to will them on.
> I walked at half pace the last 1/2 mile and was pretty tired.
> Overall, I felt good from the very beginning.
> I thought I might have gotten a bit emotional at the end. I didn't. It was almost like walking 26.2 was just another task I had to get done.

About 5 hours later, I got some energy and went outside to clean up palm tree debris and hose down the front yard. My big mistake was trying to whip the hose to get it over the spigot because I ended up breaking it and sending a geyser 3 feet into the air. So, to celebrate, I spent most of the day after my walk, doing battle trying to get plumbing fixed. Thanks for helping, Dad!

Until a few hours ago I said I didn't need to do another marathon.

For some reason, now I just might.

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