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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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well, at least I finished :-D
I ran the Hartford marathon on Saturday and I finished. That's about all I can say 
I woke up on Friday with a sore throat and swollen tonsils (I am prone to chronic tonsillitis). I pumped myself with fluids and vitamin C, but it didn't get better.
Saturday morning I didn't want to get up, but I had already backed out of one marathon this year (for no good reason really), so I knew I had to start.
Training didn't go as I planned. Right after my first 20 mile run, I found out that I was pregnant. I started watching my HR more closely and it was hard to breath running, so my training didn't go great. Two weeks later I had a m/c (talk about downs, ups and downs) , but it still really messed up my training.
This is the funny part: At the startline, I decided I would be conservative and go with the 4 hour pace group (I have been trying to break 3:46 to qualify for the Boston Marathon). I even thought if I wasn't feeling well that I would drop back to the 4:05 group. It's funny b/c I lost both 4 hours and 4:05 by the 4th mile. (In my defense they were running 30 seconds faster than pace for the first two miles and our leader messed up the section where we split from the half marathoners.)
by the 6th mile I saw DH. I told him I didn't think I could do it, but since I had started already, the marathon was sending my info to my FB page and that I had to get to at least 13 miles for the next split time.
By the time I got to 13, I was in rural CT and had to get back to Hartford anyway, so I just decided to run the whole thing anyway. I was going along pretty slow - so slow that my heart rate was in the 60s-80s! I have a low resting HR - 40, but my marathon HR should be 140-150s. I averaged 100 bpm for the entire marathon. At least I know that my heart is strong, even though my body was just having an off day.
DH met me a few times in the race, but ran with me from 24.5-25.5 when we split off I told him that this was the last mile of any marathon I would ever run. 48 hours later, I already started thinking about next year 
6 pace groups passed me!!! (although one finished well before their pace group time, since my finishing time was faster and they were ahead of me), but I finished! 35 minutes slower than my worst time, but knowing that I was sick, I'm not disappointed (but believe me - most of those 30 minutes was me saying "I would have been done by now." I actually had a lot of fun with the crowds. I took my headphones off for about half the race and chatted with people and cheered and joked with the crowds (I had a very popular bib number! 777 ) I thanked every single volunteer I met up with (handing water or cheering). I chatted with people about the race shirts they were wearing and learned about some cool races and I really took in the city of Hartford, which is really quite lovely. So I am really glad I ran, even if Boston will have to wait another year.
Wow I didn't expect to write this much! If you are still reading thanks! and thank you for everyone's support during this training cycle. I said I was going to take the rest of the year off from races, but I think I have 2 in November still in me
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Posted 10/12/10 12:01 PM  |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Congratulations! Great job! 
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| Posted 10/12/10 1:00 PM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
I know it wasn't quite the way you wanted your marathon to go but YOU FINISHED! That in itself is such an accomplishment and I hope one day I can finish!
You know you were sick and I'm sure you were prepared to finish later than normal. But like you said, you finished! A big congratulations on finishing!
You and the other marathon runners on here are such an inspiration. I hope one day I can run a full!
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| Posted 10/12/10 1:13 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
WTG Erica!!!!!!!
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| Posted 10/12/10 1:19 PM |
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luvmytwins
pretty princesses
Member since 7/09 1424 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
great job on your race!
I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage. 
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| Posted 10/12/10 1:32 PM |
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julz33
i run for bacon
Member since 5/05 20584 total posts
Name:
julz
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
So sorry about your miscarrage
Finishing period is a huge accomplishment! Congrats!!
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| Posted 10/12/10 4:09 PM |
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lilqtny
-Crossfit & pitbull addict
Member since 7/06 2830 total posts
Name:
Tracy
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Posted by julz33
So sorry about your miscarrage
Finishing period is a huge accomplishment! Congrats!!
Congrats on finishing and don't say or think "just finishing" FINISHING a marathon is a huge accomplishment under any circumstances and in yours, it is a gift.
You truly overcame so much to complete your goal!
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| Posted 10/12/10 6:10 PM |
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jeanyus27
Life is beautiful
Member since 8/08 2543 total posts
Name:
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Wow Erica you have been through so much, I really admire your perseverance. You should be so proud! And thank YOU for all the support that you give to other runners 
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| Posted 10/12/10 7:58 PM |
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Lucky
Growing up fast!
Member since 4/07 12683 total posts
Name:
Dawn
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Erica, you rock! Way to stick it out and keep a positive attitude!!
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| Posted 10/12/10 10:30 PM |
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DirtyBlonde
*****
Member since 11/07 7344 total posts
Name:
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
that's a great accomplishment to complete a marathon
I am sorry for your loss 
Message edited 10/12/2010 10:56:31 PM.
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| Posted 10/12/10 10:55 PM |
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Megs4
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 1619 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Congratulations!! That is an AMAZING accomplishment. Especially with all you went through to get there.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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| Posted 10/13/10 9:51 AM |
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robynfs
12/6/10!!
Member since 9/05 4947 total posts
Name:
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
First I am so sorry to hear about the miscarriage...my heart goes out to you.
Second, it's these days where we have tough races/runs that make crossing that finish line even sweeter. Running a marathon isn't so bad when we are at the top of our game, it's those off days when we really test ourselves and see what we are made of. So good for you and congratulations on getting across that finish line.
You and I seem to be at about similar paces. I planned to run marine corps on halloween but deferred it till next year due to being pregnant with my first.
My goal was to qualify as well, I doubt qualifying is in my future now, I can't imagine even running a half at this point.
Message edited 10/13/2010 11:40:11 AM.
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| Posted 10/13/10 11:39 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Posted by robynfs
You and I seem to be at about similar paces. I planned to run marine corps on halloween but deferred it till next year due to being pregnant with my first.
My goal was to qualify as well, I doubt qualifying is in my future now, I can't imagine even running a half at this point.
It will come back! but I do have PRs from pre-babies and post-babies 
A good friend of mine is in the same place and she laughs and says, marathoners are the only nuts who look forward to 5 and 0 birthdays to give them extra time for Boston LOL! We both can't wait for 40! and then 45 is 4:00 I think! Hopefully I'll be in similar (or better) shape at 45!
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| Posted 10/13/10 1:00 PM |
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Puppy-Love
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1394 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Congrats GIRL! This is a major accomplishment considering all you have been through and that you werent feeling good marathon day!
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| Posted 10/17/10 7:26 PM |
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TaraVinny
my miracle coming October!!!
Member since 10/09 1049 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
wow that's great. congrats. i wish i could do that. you're my inspiration.
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| Posted 10/17/10 8:23 PM |
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Milerose
MY BABY!
Member since 9/06 4161 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
So sorry about your miscarriage Erica  but congratulations on finishing the marathon. I knew you would. Even though it was your not your best time I hope know that you inspire me and I am sure many others on this board immensely. Your a great runner and you have so much knowledgeable info. Congrats again We are all PROUD of you!
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| Posted 10/18/10 9:48 AM |
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Jenna04
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/08 526 total posts
Name:
Jenna
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Oh so sorry about m/c - that must have been very hard on you + you were sick on the day of the race. I still applaud you for finishing, it sounds like it was hard but still must have felt great in the end! CONGRATS!!!
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| Posted 10/18/10 10:48 AM |
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jodi714
Love my little girl!
Member since 2/06 3621 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: well, at least I finished :-D
Congrats!!! Im amazed at anyone who attempts a marathon let alone finishes one!! Great job and that's so awesme you never gave up no matter how hard it was!
My bf ran Hartford too and I was there cheering him on so I probably cheered you on too!
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| Posted 10/24/10 5:28 PM |
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