Monday, October 4, 2010

The Twin Cities Marathon Race Report!

Hi Everyone! I slept like total crap last night and had to take some ibuprofen because my upper legs were screaming in protest! My calves felt great....other than being a little sore I think I am doing pretty well. I promised you a race report so here it is:)
I woke up at 4 Am Sunday morning to get ready for the marathon. I had all sorts of thoughts swimming through my mind. Many of them were on the lines of...OMG, I am running my first marathon today! I was both excited and nervous! As many of you know, I stopped marathon training in week five of my plan because of the GI issues I was having. I took several weeks off from hard training and toned back my 6 runs a week to 3 runs a week. I ran the Gopher to Badger half marathon in that crazy heat. I figured if I can do this....surely I can run a fall full marathon. I had already signed up for the Get Ready To Rock 20 mile race and planned to use that as a test. I had three weeks of long runs consisting of a 16, 17 and 18 mile run before my 2o mile race. I look at the original Hal's training plan that I was doing and see that I have missed so many miles of training:( I think if I had not been running so many half marathons my results yesterday would of been different. By becoming a half marathon junkie I gave myself a fantastic base for a marathon newbie.

I drove into Minneapolis and found a parking spot about three blocks from the Metrodome. I walked to the dome and walked around for a few minutes. I used the rest room and parked myself on the floor right across from it. I took out my marathon guide and looked at the map of the course and pace times. I found a few of my fellow SCRR peeps:) Paul, Rick, Cindy and Denise were just hanging out before their 10 mile race.

Cathy came along as a cheerleader:)

I ran into Jeri a South Dakota blogger who was running the TC 10 mile run:) I sat and talked to her for several minutes....she is such a sweetheart! Seeing Jeri made me feel very old as she is young and beautiful! Jeri, I hope that the race went well for you! I will be seeing you again at the Earth Day half marathon in 2011:)

I also ran into another SCRR (Curt) who was going to try his hardest to BQ in the TC marathon! Check out the corral #1 sticker in the corner of his bib! Fantastic news... he did it! Congrats to you Curt:)
I met Heather who is another blogger from Minnesota! We sat in the dome and talked until we heard the announcement that we needed to make our way to the start line. We had to laugh when we saw that we were both wearing old ugly race shirts. The plan was to just toss them once we were warm enough. My shirt is actually turned inside out...super ugly! Heather also made me feel old because yes, she is younger than me...she has gorgeous eyes, not a single wrinkle and she had a cooler race outfit:) Derek, just so you know, we walked around looking for you. We were bummed that we couldn't find you before the race:(
Heather and I made our way to the start line. I told her that I wanted to start somewhere between the 4:15 and 4:30 pacers. We walked up and positioned ourselves right next the the 4:15 pacers. This is a picture of the people behind us 10 minutes before the start.

Way over by the fence is the 4:15 pacer:)
The Metrodome.
Here is a picture of the people in front of us. I was pretty nervous those few minutes before the start. I kept on looking at Heather and she always had a smile on her face:) Thank you for keeping me calm Heather! I am so glad we were able to start out together. We slowly made out way to the start and I had my Garmin all ready to go. I run over the mats and hit start......I look down at my Garmin and the only thing that is displayed is the time! WTH! OMG! Why? Why can't I be like every other runner and not have issues with the Garmin. I had no distance or pace screen displayed. I would wait until I saw the first clock and then just start it again. I stayed with the pacer for the first mile. I just couldn't see myself running this pace and was feeling like I was holding back too much. I moved ahead of the pacer and ran nice and easy.

The crowds were awesome as I ran down the streets of Minneapolis! There was tons of cow-bell and all of the runners were happy and filled with positive energy:)

The one thing that drove me total bonkers was my spibelt was not cooperating! I had 5 gels and a powerbar flopping around and hitting me in the stomach! My bladder was telling me that I needed to stop! Crap! I am not even at mile 3 and I need to make a Biffy stop! I passed one set because they were in use but was able to snag another one a little later. In and out....most likely less than a minute:)
Once we were off of the streets Minneapolis we made our way around the lakes. OMG! I was in heaven, it is so beautiful! It was here where I got rid of my ugly shirt and tossed it aside. Running through this area was amazing! Not only was it pretty with the lakes and trees but it was full of fans cheering. I was in awe of the support that complete strangers were giving me:)



When I hit mile marker 9 I remembered that I was going to start my Garmin over again so I could know what pace I was going at. I turned off my Garmin and started it back up....it took a few minutes for the thing to start working, grrrr! Miles 1 through 13 were a piece of cake. I ran easy and felt great.


The day was perfect for running, the sun was shining and the temperature was fantastic! I love running in 50 to 60 degree weather:)

I actually caught up with the 4:00 pacers and ran with them for miles 14 and 15. I was starting to get a little tired and I had several gels in my tummy that were starting to bother me. I knew that I would have to make a Biffy stop soon.
Score...Biffy sighting up ahead! Okay, so here goes...my Biffy number two story....are you ready? I stand in line with a few people in front of me and a few people behind me. I wait, wait and wait. Finally my turn! I run into the Biffy and lock the door. I am just about done when someone attempts to open my Biffy! He pulled on the door one more time and the door came flying open! OMG! Let's just say he did not get a butt shot...he got a full frontal! He slammed the door back shut and I started laughing! Only me...this crap only happens to me:) I heard him say..don't worry I didn't see anything! Yea, right! I finish up, put my sunglasses back on, open the door and hope to God I don't see him later:)
Miles 18, 19 and 20 seemed to take forever. I was feeling okay but not great. I was telling myself that I already ran a 20 mile run and that I could do this. Keep the feet moving!




Mile 20...just six miles left! Some where between mile 21 and 22 my right hammy started to scream. I was in serious pain and needed to pull over and stretch. It hurt so bad and I started to cry. Why now? I walked for a few minutes and decided to try running again. It still hurt and I must of looked pretty pathetic running with a limp.

The Summit Avenue stretch was amazing! The crowds were awesome and the positive energy was wonderful. Summit Avenue was also hard as hell and a mental challenge for me. The last few miles on Summit are uphill! Oh joy! I was hurting and not doing so great. I really wanted to keep running the whole way but I just couldn't. I promised myself that I would listen to my body. I needed to slow down. I walked so much of Summit Avenue:(

I am not happy here...yep, I am walking. I have heard from so many people about the big bad wall. As I walked I thought about my time and what it would be. I had no real goals in mind. Seriously, I just wanted to finish the race. Maybe it was the competitive athlete in me but deep down I guess I did care about my time. I wanted to finish in under 4:30 but knew in my heart that I could do it under 4:15. Okay Julie, time to suck it up! Just a four more miles and it is over! I started running again.
I am so glad that there was music playing from time to time because it helped me stay moving and motivated! I took water at all of the water stops and went through all of my gels. I ended up walking a few more times. I looked at my Garmin and said, "Okay you can walk for 30 seconds and then you have to start up again." When my Garmin reached 30 seconds, I said, "Okay 40 seconds:)" There was a man who saw me walking. He looked at me and looked at his watch. He said, "Now would be a good time to start running!" "Make it count!" Yep, you guessed it, I started running again:) I was hoping that I wouldn't have to use the Biffy again. Not so lucky:) One more quick stop and I was on the road again.

I saw this and thought....I have got to be getting closer. Just keep moving Julie! I felt like I was moving at snails pace...super slow! When I was at the top of the hill and saw the Capital I was so happy! I knew that I was going to finish soon!

You can see the Capital in the back and the big flag is the finish line! I was smiling when running that last stretch of the race! I still didn't have a clue what my time would end up being. It didn't matter...I was going to finish this race!
This last stretch was the most emotional part of the race for me! OMG! When I cross this line I am going to be able to call myself a marathoner! Never in a million years at this time last year would I have believed that I would ever run in a marathon!
People were screaming and I started to pick up my pace a little. I passed a few people but basically just ran in easy.

When I saw the clock it said 4:12 something but I have no idea what it said when I crossed the finish line! I ran those last few feet and through my arms up in the air! I did it! I finished! I finished my first marathon! I took a few steps and got my medal. The lady put it around my neck and I walked over to a fence, put my head down and started to cry. Big tears rolled down my cheeks. I was so thrilled:) Running a marathon is hard work! Not only was I physically tired, I felt emotionally drained too! I am so proud of my accomplishment and happy for finishing my first marathon. I was also very sad that no one from my family was there to share it with me. It was a bitter-sweet moment for me.





Shortly after I finished I ran into Katy. Katy is someone that I remember from the Get Ready To Rock 20 mile race. I asked her if she ran it and she said yes. She told me that she read my blog...I forgot to ask how she found it. Katy did great today and I would of never guessed that she just had a baby a few months ago:)


After the race I drank a cup of the blue stuff, two cups of chicken broth and a bottle of water. I also ate a banana. I walked over to where the bag check was and sat in the grass. I was hurting pretty bad. I got up and stretched my legs out but it was not helping. I thought about finding the massage tent to see if I could have someone work on my sore legs.


I did run into Kalli who is a SCRR...she finished with an awesome time of 3:17:) Go Kalli!
I walked around for a few minutes taking pictures. I then walked up to the Capital to catch a bus back to the Metrodome:) I was tired and really wanted to take a shower and go to bed.
Here are my final stats......
Final time 4:09:45.
I placed 3,843 out of 8,211 actual finishers.
I placed 1,145 out of 3,394 women.
I placed 143 out of 422 for my age group.
Will I ever run another marathon you ask? Hell yes! One thing that I will say is I can only see myself doing one of these bad boys a year:) Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement! Jill thanks for being a super fan! I am so glad that you were able to track my time because the computer wouldn't give me my information until this morning. It was almost like I didn't run the race. So many people attempted to get my stats and were not successful as well. You rock Jill!
Happy running, biking, swimming and lifting! Cheers to you all!
Next on my things to do...take care of my lawn and catch up on blogs:)

92 comments:

  1. Awesome race report Julie! So well documented too! Love how you explain it. Really got into it and cried when you walke and your hammy was hurting, LOL!
    So glad it was good and you're ready for another one!
    Congratulations all over again!

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  2. Congratulations!!! I get so hyped up when reading blog posts like this. I'll be running my first full in december and I can't wait. You're time is awesome! =)

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  3. Fantastic race report and pictures. You are a marathoner!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. So much fun to read Julie! You did an amazing job you marathoner!

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  5. Great report! You have been so sneaky training for this marathon in secret! You did great! Reading this has me excited for my marathon on Sunday!

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  6. I am totally tearing up over here...great race report, as always. Congratulations!

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  7. YAY JULIE!!!!! I am so proud of you, with all that you dealt with to get to the marathon, I am just thrilled for you. And congrats on your time speedy!!!!! Love that you want to do more of these, hopefully our paths will cross at a future race! Great job...

    : )

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  8. Way to go Julie! Great report! I can't believe how fast you are including all those biffy stops! :) So great! Congrats again...

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  9. hahahaha!! Your Biffy story --- I totally LOL'd!! :)

    Julie, I'm seriously so proud of you. I know you've had a rough year with training and GI issues, but this just really proves that you can do whatever you set your mind to. I'm really so glad that you stopped to use the Biff (and to walk), you listened to your body, and you took care of yourself during this huge physical challenge. That is the most important. And then, to boot, you really got a fantastic time, especially for your first marathon!!

    Lately, with reading about all of the fall marathons, I've been thinking that I want to do another! I just keep thinking about all of the pain & suffering I went through during the Minneapolis Marathon & Grandma's marathon -- how I sent text messages to friends DURING THE RACES saying, "remind me to never do this again." And yet, there's still that draw to do more!! I'm really thinking that I might to the SF Marathon with Ron next summer... so maybe if you want to do that instead of the Napa to Sonoma half....... ;)

    CONGRATS, Julie. I'm really so, so SO proud of you. :) And p/s: you need to stop with the old and unglamorous comments because that's so far from the truth!!

    xoxoxoxo
    A

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  10. You Rock Julie!! What an awesome time!!

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  11. Great job! You did so awesome! I just hope to finish under 5 hours... I have 27 days left.

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  12. Congratulations on your first marathon! If I don't try to train for the Fargo Marathon, the Twins Cities marathon is definitely one I am thinking about. I love running in those temps! WONDERFUL!

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  13. What a great report Julie. I loved reading it, I could feel your pain and your joy.
    I'm sorry you're family wasn't there to see it.

    Well done girl! You're a marathoner!

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  14. CONGRATS again..great report...very happy for you.

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  15. Fun report Julie! thanks for sharing the pix as well they are all great. Man your biffy story number 2 dude trying to break in on ya - creepy! How could anyone think it is not occupied!!! That is really bad. sorry that happened to ya.

    Very excited to hear how you feel all the HM's gave you a great base. I am hoping the same for DW Marathon in Jan. Thanks again for the shoutout about Vegas runners! Your the best take care and rest, rest, rest, rest!!!

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  16. What a great race report, you did such an awesome job! See you in a couple weeks at the Monster Dash! :)

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  17. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm beyond bummed that I missed you coming through the end. :( You ran such an amazing time, and I can't believe you stopped for bathroom breaks and a walk break to stretch your hammie. INSANE! I'm glad that you had such a great 1st marathon, because I don't think you can ask for anything else.

    P.S. I'm stealing our picture for my race report if you don't mind. ;)

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  18. holy crap (pun intended :-) You stopped at the biffy that many times and still finished sub-4:15?!? you're one speedy peep! or biffier, which ever the case may be. I've opened the door on somebody in the port-o-potty, and I was too embarrassed to do anything or remember anything! LOL... GREAT JOB!

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  19. Julie! Wow! How excellent. I am so happy to read your story and hear so many of the same experiences from a first timer. My memories are still so fresh. No longer a virgin!!! Woo Hoo! You have been so patient with your body and keeping a positive attitude this will surely get you through so many more of these 26.2's and I bet even further! Maybe we'll do our first 50 miler together! Love and hugs!

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  20. Great race Julie! The race report shows your strenght Julie: you decided to try running again after you had started to cry and you had felt pain. Moreover, you woke up at 4 a.m.!

    Beautiful report of the Twins Cities marathon. It shows that the organization was good, considering that there was music playing from time to time and there were a lot of water stops.

    Great final time of 4:09:45. Congrats on your first Marathon Julie!

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  21. Super report of your super race Julie! Thanks for sharing your first marathon experience. Great pictures! I'm impressed that you kept going and taking pictures as well. This is very special. Take care!

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  22. Congratulations! That's an amazing time! :)

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  23. Julie you did incredible! I love this race report. So honest and open. It's not all butterflies and rainbows. There are high points and low points and it's a ride right to the end. CONGRATS!!!!!!

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  24. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Sounds like you had a great first marathon experience! I love all the pictures. Take care of your sore legs and enjoy your rest days! :)

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  25. Congrats on your first marathon. What a fabulous finishing time for you! I love that you are already thinking about the next one. Good for you!

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  26. whats up Miss MARATHONER!!!! you have the title! agree with Jeri you could not ask for anything more. We had a GREAT day to be able to be outside with so many people and trying to wade thru the hard parts of the race may not be fun at the time but in retrospect IS fun that we can step to the challenge and get it done. Way to go Julie, love hearing about when you crossed that finish line:)
    -Derek

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  27. I read every single word of you incredible RR, Julie! (ok, did I tell you to run with the 4-hour group? Trust me girl, that's where you should have been). You're just tired and tired and tired right now...maybe after a few days, you'll reconsider the "once a year" vow and run something with me soon!!

    You did freaking AWESOME!!!

    LOVE YA!

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  28. Julie, you and Jeri could be sisters!

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  29. I love love love love love love it! So very proud of you! Way to go on your FIRST marathon! What an exciting and special moment for you - the entire thing, really! What an amazing feeling. You are awesome!

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  30. Congratulations :-) You are awesome!

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  31. MS. AWESOME!! great job! Sooo proud of you, what a great finish! Thanks for sharing all the race pics, love them!!

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  32. Julie, this is a wonderful accomplishment. Hope you had a huge celebration (forget the lawn) and now you are recovering well.
    Great race report.
    So when is your next 26.2?

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  33. This is the best marathon RR you've ever written!:) I know there will be others. You totally rocked it! Even with biffy excursions and walk breaks, you still had an awesome finish time, particularly for a first marathon. Enjoy it and, I'm with Ewa, forget the lawn, go celebrate!!

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  34. Oh, this was so emotional for me. I STILL cry, Julie. It only gets better! Nice job, I think this is the first of many! Rest up this week and celebrate.

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  35. Julie, You did it!! You met your goal - what a race it was and you still had a great time. That is awesome. You inspire me.
    Only 1% of the population complete a marathon and you're in that elite few.

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  36. Great job on your first marathon! Wonderful pictures and sounds like you had fun (well as much fun as 26.2 can get) Great time too :) I know I could never run a full in the time you did it.

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  37. Awesome job! Yes, rest up. I think 1 or 2 marathons per year is sensible, particularly if you want to get faster and train well. It is amazing how well you did with little training.

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  38. WOW Julie - that's great and congrats to you for the fine effort - you must be so proud.

    Reading your blog is so inspiring to me, you are amazing and you give us all the self belief that we too can achieve what we set our minds to.
    Great report and pictures, rest up and take care of yourself.

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  39. Great race report Julie!!! Congratulations on your first marathon, you absolutely rocked it. I loved your photos too. My friend finished right around the same time you did.

    I am bummed that I didn't get to see you at the start.

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  40. Awesome Job Julie -- you are a rockstar!

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  41. Congratulations, Julie! What a great race report, and fantastic pictures! What an accomplishment! I feel for your legs, bc I just ran my first half marathon, and mine are killing me. I finished with no family there, too, which was sad for me, but it was fully MY moment. Awesome job!

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  42. Congratulations! I am with you and one marathon a year is it for me. But this year the number is zero. I lived this one vicariously through you! Glad you got to do it!!!

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  43. I loved reading your race report! I am just sooo happy for you! You did awesome! The pictures were great!
    I can't believe that guy opened the port-a-potty door...what was he thinking??

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  44. Okay, I have some comments....

    1) I really have to super tighten my SPIbelt to get it to cooperate (not flap up/down).

    2) I think you would have BQ'd if you didn't have to take so many pictues.

    3) Twin Cities? What two cities are we talking about? Oh C'mon, I'm kidding.

    4) Julie rocked it.

    5) Go Golphers!

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  45. I always love reading your race reports, but this one was especially awesome because it was for your first marathon! It's too bad that none of your family could be there to cheer you and on, but it sounds like an awesome race.

    I guess you didn't see the guy who opened the port-a-potty door on you again....?

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  46. Awesome job! And, too funny about the door being opened - that is one of my fears b/c the locks always seem to not work so well.

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  47. CONGRATS!! Nice work on your first!!

    I heard from EVERYONE out there - even marathon veterans - that EVERYONE fell apart after mile 20. Yikes! Nice job getting through that hammy issue!!

    And I'm TOTALLY in one of your photos! In the one just before seeing the capital for the first time, you can see me as the big yellow chicken to the right. The big brown moose is visible too!

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  48. Congrats on a really awesome race. Loved the report and pics.

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  49. Congrats again on your great and FAST marathon. Thanks to this experience you will soon improve your PB of 4h 09'45". Beautiful pictures and I prefer the latest where you are very very happy.

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  50. Thats AWESOME!! What a GREAT time!! You are seriously AMAZING!! :D You're biffy #2 story had me cracking up haha... how embarrassing for that guy! lol

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  51. This was a great race report! I loved the photos of you at the end with the huge smile on your face. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! funny story with the guy opening the door during biffy stop!

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  52. JULIE!!!! YOU ROCK!!

    Awesome.

    Amazing RR.

    Loving the photos!
    Way to go woman!!

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  53. well done ! a marathon is a great achievement. I'd forgotten just how much until i read this, and watched this on YouTube :
    Spirit of the Marathon - a great doc about completing a marathon.... inspiring.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BRSw-B4-2E&feature=related

    well done
    marti

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  54. What a killer finishing time, you crushed it.
    And you survived, hope you ran (or shuffled) and told your doctor.

    Fantastic pictures, as expected, love that city skyline start.

    Sunglasses are a good cloak of invisibility following frontal nudity, nice choice.

    Don't worry, walking, while not preferred, is a good means of self-preservation and
    should help you get some life back in your legs when you need it most.

    And you said that I had a nice finishing photo at my Tri. Julie, I thought that picture was terrible! I included it (without caption) to help illustrate my frustrating performance :-)

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  55. I'm so happy for you Julie. That's a great time for your first time out. The last 10K is something one can ever prepare for. Of all the marathons I have run, only three have had decent last 10K's.

    Rest up and enjoy the moment. Congrats!

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  56. Love all the pics. Great recap! Congrats, again on your race :) I always get attached to my "throwaway clothes" for some reason lol.

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  57. Love that you took so many pictures! GREAT JOB!!
    I'm sorry that your family couldn't be there at your finish. Hopefully they can make it to your next one.

    Twin Cities has been on my list of marathons I want to run for awhile now. October is my favorite month, and the course looks so beautiful!

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  58. Julie,
    Awesome race report! It wounds like you had a wonderful time (despite walking) and an amazing time. Congrats again.

    suzy

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  59. Are your legs back Miss Marathoner?
    -D

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  60. Awesome Job Julie. You did as well on your first marathon as I did on my 3rd. However, I am going to smash that pr in January. Granted, that has nothing to do with you, just saying a marathon just over 4 hours for your first one is absolutely awesome.

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  61. Oo, my eyes got a little wet reading the end :-) Hooray for endurance, discipline, dreams! Hooray for YOU!!! You are awesome! Now go change your profile... no more "perhaps I'll run a marathon someday"... pish tosh, you've done it! What an inspiration you are.

    P.S. You, Meg & (Iron) Mike are making me want to try for a half-marathon next year... uh oh ;-) Ouch, I hurt already.

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  62. I still need to get henniemavis through a 10K, then we'll push the half...
    Julie, thanks for revealing some of your camera secrets, seriously your pictures always tell the story.
    But, hey, let's just hope that the other biffy peepers aren't photobloggers, too ;-)

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  63. isn't it funny how someone talking to you during the race can make such a difference...now would be a good time to run!

    holy cow a 4:09 is an amazing first race, way to go on all the training and hard work!!! It sounds like the perfect first marathon honestly

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  64. Heather and I have matching running skirts!
    OMG - how embarrassing about being walked in on in the potty!! I probably would have died laughing if it happened to me, but been mortified, too!
    OOh, I just got chills reading about the finish line. You are totally a marathoner!! Woohoo!!
    I think I would totally cry, too! Heck I bet I will when I finish my first 1/2!

    That was a great read. Congratulations, what an achievement in such a fantastic time, too!!
    ~RR

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  65. GREAT JOB! Wow on all the pics too! Congrats :)

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  66. Way to go, Julie! I cannot wait to run my first marathon. You did wonderfully and I love the photos.

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  67. I meant to ask you this before, hope the question gets to you:

    How many halfs did you do before this first full marathon?

    I see a lot in the tab - you must have loads of medals!

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  68. Julie is a MARATHONER! How awesome and what about that finishing time? You totally rocked it. Seriously, you are a natural. Minus the Biffy breaks, & you would have been sub 4:00 for your first. Incredible! Rest up! Can't wait to hear what's next. Short races, long races, middle distance, or all of the above.

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  69. Hi Julie!

    Just wanted to tell you thank you for your kind words on my blog about my marathon, I am disappointed, but I will take this and build a fire for my next marathon.

    And I see congratulations are in order! Good for you on your first marathon! You kept that secret well hidden! It's such a great feeling eh? Wonderful job lady. :)

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  70. Julie--I can't believe I missed this earlier this week. I've been wondering about it and finally came over to check! Anyhow--CONGRATS! What a fantastic time girlfriend!!! You are a machine!

    Not to tempt you or anything, but you could easily make a BQ time with that number on your first attempt. : )

    I'm proud of you.

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  71. That is awesome! Way to go :) I loved all the pictures :)

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  72. Sorry I am so late to the party, but congrats, you truely provide me motivation weekly with all your racing.

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  73. Julie you freaking rock. I can only hope that I look that AMAZING when I am done running 26.2 miles!! My marathon is so close but you are such an inspiration!

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  74. Well done Julie, that's a totally awesome time.
    Yep , you are hooked. When I finished my first marathon I really just wanted to die, but 5 minutes later started talking about the next one.I dont even swear at the Chubby Hubby now when I finish.

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  75. Hey girl, the virtual pink dress run is up on my blog. You have to participate, won't take no for an answer :)

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  76. Wow! Amazing run for your first marathon Julie! Congratulations! That not happy picture of yourself sums up my feelings about marathons 20 plus miles in. Priceless!

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  77. Congratulations! You ran a wonderful race. I truly enjoyed reading your report.

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  78. Wow! You rocked it! I was rooting for you all day and I'm so happy for you. You finished with a great time and earned that medal. You are a marathoner now!

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  79. Wow Julie. You are amazing! Awesome awesome time! And holy crap I can't believe someone opened the door on you in the porta potty! I've been having issues with my spibelt too- it was bruising my hip! I think I was adjusting it wrong.

    I am SO proud of you!!!! Way to go!!!

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  80. You are a ROCK STAR; that is an exceptional first marathon, with a big smile the entire way.

    Congratulations; what's next?

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  81. Julie: What a great year of races! You go girl!! This is the Katy you ran into at Get Ready to Rock 20 miler and Twin Cities Marathon! I found your website by searching for the 20 mile results before they were posted. I loved your pictures and narrative! Just so you know, you beat me by about 30 seconds at the marathon -- WAY TO GO!!!!!!!! Your story is inspiring!!!

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  82. Congrats!!! This is one of those things that no one can take away from you. Love it!!

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  83. Congrats and awesome job, Julie!!

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  84. Hey Julie! I think about the ponytail runners lately too - oh how he loved them :) Tell your mom it is more wasteful to buy clothes and never wear them! Why do we do that to ourselves? I am very guilty of "saving" things. I have tonnnns of cute stationary that I am going to make myself use up!

    Anyway - some of us Rick-fans are pooling together to send an edible arrangement to his family tomorrow. I don't have your email but if you want to join in (any amount is acceptable -$5, $20, whatever) just email me - Lindsay AT chasingthekenyans DOT com. No pressure I promise, just didn't know if you would like to join in.

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  85. Congratulations!!! You did an amazing job!

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  86. OMG...how did I miss you running and finishing your first marathon Julie? I am just a bad bloggy friend. I'm sorry :( But you are AWESOME! 4:09? That's incredible...I have friends who've done a couple of marathons and haven't pulled off that time...and you ran that in your first one? So excited and happy for you! Welcome to the club Marathoner! WTG!

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  87. You are amazing! Your first marathon at 4:09! Wow! And as always, you look great afterwards too! Not fair! :)

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  88. How did I miss this epic race report? Belated congrats, marathoner!!

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  89. Great report. I will be running this race . Would be my first marathon

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