Well check that out, i finally did it!! It seems i have been training for this event for so long. Last year i was registered for the Newport Marathon and then i had a gallbladder issue and needed that removed, so this year i was not going to let anything get in my way of completing the Newport, Oregon Marathon! It did come with its fair share of injuries, but i stayed strong, overcame them and faced the marathon head on!
Starting line photo, can you tell i was going crazy with nervousness?
My cousin Matt came and supported me from Boise! He was so great! This was us at the start. We started the race by the famous Newport, Oregon lighthouse on Yakima Bay.
Now before i share my experience and pictures from the marathon. I want to share an article about Lance Armstrong's experience on his first marathon, because he sums it up perfectly.
Lance Armstrong on NYC Marathon
Posted November 06, 2006 12:46:00 AM
Seven time Tour de France winner struggles with marathon run.
The New York City Marathon proved to be the most difficult challenge LANCE ARMSTRONG says he has ever faced.
"For the level of condition that I have now, that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done," he told the Associated Press after completing his run. "I never felt a point where I hit the wall. It was really a gradual progression of fatigue and soreness."
The seven time Tour de France winner placed 856th among more than 35,000 runners, and just managed to beat his goal of running the course in three hours. Lance covered 26.2 miles in two hours 59 minutes and 36 seconds.
"At the end I was so tired, I couldn't care," he told the AP. "I don't know how these guys do it."
I could not agree with him more, it truly was the hardest physical thing i have ever done! I had trained hard and was ready, but nothing could prepare me for the mental aspect of it. It is so crazy. You know you can do it, i had trained to 22 miles, but for some reason your brain plays tricks on you making you think you cannot. So for the last 7 miles i fought with my self, and at mile 25, when only 1.2 miles were left, i first thought... " why does 1.2 miles feel like 100." then i had to fight that thought off and know that i can run a mile in my sleep. There is nothing greater than seeing that finish line!
The course was amazing. It ran right along the coast. It was perfect weather, high 52, and overcast with no wind. Could not ask for better running weather. Eric came to Newport ran the first four miles with me, when we ran passed the hotels, he grabbed his bike and rode next to me the rest of the way. He carried me gu, my gatorade and offered endless amounts of support. At one point a fellow runner, came next to me and told me how lucky i was to have a friend like that and if i ever got sick of him, she would love to steal him! It was so nice to have him there. I don't think i could have made it through it all without him! I truly am lucky!
My parents also came, and it was great to have that support as well. My mom even surprised me and made posters. At several locations they waited for me with those posters and cheered me on! It helped keep me going!
I have said this quote all along the training, it was said, "Your life will never be the same once you cross that finish line." It is an amazing feeling. I will for sure keep this up and will be returning to Newport next year. I now know what to expect and can relax a little the second time around and enjoy it a little more.
19 comments:
GOOD JOB, JESS!!!! We knew you could do it, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments. Keep up the good work! We love you.
Wow - so very very awesome. You rock!!!1
oh my heack, jess, congratulations!! I'm so beyond excited for you. I got chills and almost started crying when I read your post. What an incredible accomplishment. I'm so glad that everything cooperated with you this time and that you were able to finish with flying colors. Hooray for all of your supporters. You have lots of people who love you.
Congratulations Jess!! You rock! I am so proud of you. How were the buns? We missed you for boards but maybe when my back heals up we can plan a race together. I might have to stick to tri's cause I'm afraid my back may be too jacked up for long distance running for a bit...bitter.
Nice Job, Jessica! I feel like I tell you the same thing in every comment, but it's seriously awesome. And ofcourse, I have to tell you again that you look awesome. You've got some rockin' calves!
Email me at danandmariel@gmail.com and we'll set up a lunch date now that you're home. I'm serious. I will be sitting by my computer waiting and waiting and waiting...
Yay!!
Wow!!! You are one incredible person. Your determination is something I totally admire. Keep up the great work!!
Miss you..
Way to go Jess! That is so awesome! That is such an accomplishment...not only physical but mental! We are so proud of you!
Congratulations! We are so proud of you. The pictures are amazing, we definitely want to join you next year. You look awesome, did you even break a sweat? If you didn't have your metal on I wouldn't have guessed the pictures were after your marathon.
Love you!!!
This is so great, Congratulations! This is such a huge accomplishment, and just shows that you can do whatever you want when you set your mind to it, that was my favorite lesson I learned! Good job!
Jess, you amaze me. Thanks for your great example of making a goal and following through no matter what. YOU DID IT! I am very proud of you, but then I always have been.
Love, Mom
Jess you are SO amazing! Congrats on accomplishing your goal. You are a great example to me!
Congrats Jess!! Welcome to the "club". There is no faking the marathon. It was stinking hard but you did it. You realized that at times during the last 4 miles of mind numbing pain you can dig a little deeper and find determination you never realized was there. I hope you will find parallels with the marathon in every aspect of your life. You really ran over 700 miles in the last 6 months, its really about the process of getting to the race. Crossing the finish line validates those awful early morning 10 milers. Soak it up, you are one of the small percentages of people that can say you finished a marathon. It is a MAJOR accomplishment. Nice Job!
Great Job!! You are my inspiration. I have less than 1 month until my run and have been going nuts with anticipation. Thanks for the knowledge that I can do it.
congrats on the big one! That is awsome! Are you walking ok? What a cute little niece you have!
Congrats Jess!!! I am so happy for you accomplishing your goal. No body parts to throw you off this time :0) Pretty cool scenery for your run too.
And what a cutie baby! How fun you are an aunt and have a niece to spoil now. I am very proud of your quilt.
You are my hero! I swear I will do this some day...maybe.
Way to go!!! You are amazing. I hope we get to see you this summer.
You ROCK! I am so proud of you!!! It is a complete mental battle and you conquered it! There is nothing like that feeling at the end after you have put your heart and soul into it for so long and you did it.
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