Friday, July 2, 2010

Random Marathon thoughts...and too many pictures!

What a difference a week can make!  Last week seemed to drag on forever and this week has FLOWN by.  My marathon was like childbirth...Like when I was pregnant and I could only focus on the birth on not much beyond that moment.  Everything (for that last 7 months), until last Saturday was about my marathon and I couldn't see much beyond that and here I am beyond it and LOVING every minute.  I loved running my marathon and knew that the whole day would be one of those days that I would look back on and miss.  I loved every moment from picking up my friend Jamie until I crossed the finish line to reunite with all my family and friends.  The memories I take from that day will last forever.  You never get your first marathon back and my friends will not be as excited for my next one... so knowing all that...last Saturday was a SWEET day that I will never forget. 

A few thoughts:
  • I am so bummed that I wasn't able to spend more time at the expo.  There is a lot of great things to see and it takes more than 2 hours.
  • I hate that I missed people.  I have read blogs and heard about friends who ran it and I never saw them...shoot.
  • Having friends run in the same race, even if they are not your pace, is the best.  Just knowing that they are waiting for you at the finish line and experienced what you have is such a bonding thing.
  • Meeting bloggers from out of town that I have been reading about was honestly the HIGHLIGHT of it all.  I am a total people person and love getting to know new friends so the whole bloggy, meet-up and dinner was the BEST.
  • I loved that I ran to finish so that when my finish time was a minute over, it didn't really bug me (even though you and I both know that I ran 26.61 miles so actually I probably did run my marathon in under 5 hours) and just the fact that I ran a marathon is so darn exciting to me.
  • The fact that I faced the imposable (well I thought) and I never have to do it again, if I don't want to...is the best feeling.  I will probably do it again, but the fact that I don't have to is a VERY free feeling.
  • I can't wait to run with more of you and I hope I get to do so.
  • Is so grateful for all the encouragement and support from my bloggie friends.  It has been so exciting to read your comments on my recaps...THANK YOU!
Are you tired of seeing orange in my posts? 
I think this is it for marathon pictures, but I had to give you the post marathon pictures!
Seeing my crew for the first time as a MARATHONER...BooYAAAAA!!!!

Hugs from my HALF marathon friend DIANA!
Dad and Beth
Diana and I (don't you love the sign behind us)
My sweetie.
My sweet support crew!
Look at that marathoner....
Max, Chase and Nat enjoying some freebies from the marathon.
I did it...
One my faves.  Mel congratulating me on my MARATHON
Thank you shoes...

Max sporting his RnR Shirt...
The reason I run...my boys!
Sweet baby Cole! 
My brother telling me how amazing it was that I did this...got a little emotional...
High fives and some emotions...
My brother and I



And there you have it! 

17 comments:

Kerrie said...

Great post, Jill! Not tired of the pics. They make me smile. :)

Stacie said...

I don't think I could tired of race recaps and pics. I have loved sharing a little bit of your story with you. I'm glad I was able to meet you at dinner. It would be awesome to get to run with you again.

My oldest daughter loves running and LOVES orange so she has especially loved your story and all the pictures.

Congrats again!!!

Alanna said...

Congratulations Jill! Your training and race recaps are always great. And the more pictures the better (see my blog - and I only ran a half...).

Thanks for being an inspiration for my training - I keep getting tips, things I need to remember, etc for my marathon (eek!) in October. I'm thrilled that you had such a positive first marathon! Looking forward to what's to come for you. :)

Bethany + Ryan said...

Dont be silly-we love the pics. Wow!! U had a lot of ppl there for you!!! The most i ever had was 5, but all at the end. Thats so cool. Great pictures! Cant wait to read abt ur next marathon, whenever that may be ;-)

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Congrats, congrats!!! Great job and how fun that you had such a huge support crew! Your new blog header photo with your huge smile says it all!

Marlene said...

Awesome post! You are so right that there's nothing like the first one, so I love that you are soaking it all in!

I love the pics... especially those sweet moments after the race, like Mel holding your hands and the one with your brother.

and YAY my shoes made the pic. lol

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Congratulations on your marathon, Jill! You look so happy in all the pictures! And I'm happy for you!

Molly said...

You can never have enough photos! Congrats again, you've been very motivating to me in my own quest for the big race.

Heather said...

Love all the pictures - no such thing as too many. :) Your boys are such cuties!

Genesis said...

loved this post. all the pictures just made me smile too and your boys are really cute :)

ajh said...

I got a little emotional just looking at the pics of you and your brother. My brother made a huge effort to go see me at my second marathon and it meant so much to me. Yes, there is nothing like your first marathon but the others are awfully darn good too! I was surprised at how great they still were. Jealous of all the bloggy meetups! And what a huge support crew!

Rachel said...

LOVE all the pics! your smile is contagious! enjoy your recovery and bask in the glory of your amazing accomplishment! there really is nothing like your first : )

Tyler-BabyLuxDesign said...

So awesome you have such a large support group to cheer you through it all! Congratulations on your sweet victory...and thanks for sharing- it's so inspiring to read :)

MJ said...

I love your photos - you look so happy!! :)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

LOVE LOVE all the photos. I am so glad that you went in to FINISH because the experience was a great one. CONGRATS! I love it!

5K's now!!!! WOOT!

Julie said...

Hi Jill,
There is no such thing as too many pictures! You did great for your first marathon...you did it:) Congrats on your wonderful accomplishment!

Julie D. said...

i love your excitement, Jill!! great pictures...what a great time!

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