This past Saturday, I completed my 2nd marathon at the 2017 St. Jude Marathon held in my hometown of Memphis, TN after enduring 18 long and grueling weeks of 3-4am solo midweek and long runs due to my busy work schedule. I finished, but it wasn’t pretty nor did it not come without a cost. I had to remember my why….
I had been feeling under the weather all week, to the point where it finally hit me on Saturday morning. I was in pain and had fatigue. I already was at a disadvantage, but I knew I had a job to do. Also, training long distance miles in the cold is quite different than training in warmer temps. It was unusually warm for the month of December.
I remember reaching the 11 mile split where the half marathoners veered to the left of me and the marathoners veered to the right. I wanted to go left, but I had to remember my why….
As I continued to run, eating my potatoes with salt, sliding through every water station splashing water on me to cool off and drinking water and nuun whenever I could, it seemed like I could never get enough. I felt myself becoming more and more dehydrated.
At mile 21, that’s when this race became detrimental for me because I developed cramps in both of my hamstrings and my calves. I was in excruciating pain. I didn’t think I was going to finish, but I had to remember my why….
So, I walked the last 5 miles and ran small steps whenever I could in between the sharp and throbbing cramps. I was determined not to let the children of St. Jude down nor the people whom have expressed a desire to run but are unsure of themselves or can’t for various reasons. Through every painful step, I remembered my why.
Strength, determination and my faith carried me through where I managed to run the last half mile in to the finish line. Thanks DesRemona. We did it even in pain! I had to go to the medical tent at the finish line for about 20 minutes because I didn’t know if I could walk any further. They literally had to try and rub my cramps out for they felt my tendons locking up on me.
Even though my training prepared me, anything goes on race day. Nothing can prepare you for that. I’m very thankful and grateful that I finished, wasn’t seriously hurt, with your help I exceeded my fundraising goal, I get to run and share my joys and sorrows with you, and I lived to see another run day.
If nothing else from my experience, as we only have a few days left in 2017, going into 2018 remember your why….
Live more. Worry less..
Almetria
Fit and Finally Free 