There was a major snafu on the way to the start line. P-Funk and I got separated. Or actually we were logistically challenged. I thought she was going to meet me at the BRA tent, she thought I was going to meet her at the car. And with less than 10 minutes to go, I had no choice but to hit the start line.
I had a last minute dilemma on where to go. Do I start with the 4:30, 4:20, or 4:15 pace group? As I stood there struggling on where to go, a thought occurred to me. F@ck it. I’ll go with the 4:15 and see what happens. I’ll just hold on until I can’t hold on no more.
The pacer lady seemed friendly enough, as did the group and before I knew it we were off. I stayed with the pace group until about mile 5 but they seemed to be going too fast. They would speed up and then slow down and I’m sure it was due to the crowds. I was too nervous to stay with them and let them get ahead. It was at about this time that I saw my dear sister and her fiance with a sign that said “Go Beth!” My sister just so happens to live on the race route and was in her big, blue terry cloth robe. It was hysterical.
As I continued on, I was sad about not being with my beloved P-Funk and hoped everyone was having a good race. Miles 5-10 were pretty much just me in my head trying to work out a comfortable pace. At mile 6 or 7 (I think) I heard some BRA members cheering for me and I saw a friend at mile 8-ish.
Pretty sure this is from that mile. This is where you all get a first look at my outfit. I chose yellow for W.W.B.K.D? As in Beatrix Kiddo, the Bride, from Kill Bill. What would she do? Kick ass.
By mile 11 I had somehow caught back up with the 4:15 pace group. I joined them and said to myself, “I’ll just stay here until the end.” But then something happened. I got bored. I was just about to hit mile 12 and I felt like they were going too slow. Hmmm. To speed up and risk killing myself in the end or to stay with them?
You all know where this is going.
I pushed on and left the 4:15 group behind. Unsure as to if this was a terrible idea and that I would seal my fate in defeat by mile 22.
Alas, this did not happen. I just kept on keeping on. I got a pretty awesome surprise at mile 15 when my long lost Caribbean Steve jumped in with me. I haven’t seen him in a while and I almost cried when he jumped in. He told me that 4 of the members in van 2 from Ragnar team Half Nuts (me, P-Funk, and Red) was out here today and there was no way he was going to miss them. I heart him. Seriously. One of the best people I’ve ever met.
Anyway, as we ran we came to my mom and the Rough Riders. They cheered us on and it was pretty flippin’ sweet. C. Steve departed and I was headed to the most dreaded portion of the race.
This back section of the race just sucks. There are almost no spectators and you run around a big lake. It’s no man’s land and it coincides with the dreaded start of the 20’s. Mind you, my first two marathons had things fall apart at mile 18 and they just got worse after that. Fortunately, this race was different. The weather was AMAZING and I had a little angel help me at mile 18. This little angel came in the form of a petite Filipino gay man. His name, Don Patricio. (He exists, I already googled him AND he knows a few of my friends in Orlando!)
Don bounced up next to me and said, “Hello! Do you mind if I run with you for this part? It’s terrible back here. The wind is bad and this park has no spectators.” I instantly fell in love with Don. We exchanged names and he told me how he was running the marathon relay and had the 8 mile leg. He ran a killer 15K the day before and thus didn’t want to push it. He was going to help me get through these tough back miles.
Miles 18 through 20 flew by as Don and I chatted. He pushed the pace and I hung with him. Part of the time I was thinking I hope we get to his exchange soon because I am running way too fast. At about mile 20 I needed a pit stop and he waited for me a little ahead. At 20 he met his relay group and I continued on.
From 20 to 23 I was good. I think C. Steve reappeared and then left again to find Nora. At 24 or so (I honestly cannot remember what mile was what) I saw Coach EK a bit ahead of me. It got a tad windy here and Coach EK provided a block against the wind which was awesome. We got closer to the finish and my legs were finally starting to hurt at this part. Coach EK told me to give it all I had and I did. I sprinted like a maniac and actually caught up to my little angel Don and his relay team.
Don is the dark haired gentleman to my right. Love him.
My final time: 4:08:06. W.W.B.K.D indeed. What if indeed, Coach EK?
My Cinderella marathon finally happened.
Post race awesomeness!
Red, Me, P-Funk and Hollster. All four of us PR’d and Hollster BQ’d.
Me and my Boo Bear, the one and only, Redhead. Who, by the way, told me so.
Unlike my other marathons, not one time did I want to quit. Not one time did I think “I’m never doing this ish again.” I honestly felt pretty good the entire race. I’m still astounded by this. I really didn’t think it was going to happen. I feel a little bit like Cinderella. Except, I don’t need no stinking Prince Charming or a glass slipper. I got running shoes, and my horse drawn pumpkin came in the form of my own two legs.
Special thanks to Coach EK, My Boo Red, P-Funk, and Hollster – training would not have been the same with out you guys. Thanks to the BRA who are just simply the BEST running group out there. And to my Mom, Sister, BIL to be, and Stepmom, thanks for coming out in support you guys rock! AND last but not least, thanks bloggy friends and readers. You guys are my inspiration.
Well freakin done!
Yay! I'm so proud of you Boo! I know I've said it 5 zillion times but I am. I was never so excited in my life and I think the reason why I'm currently loosing my voice is because I could not stop screaming when I saw you come down that chute. More than anyone you deserved this Cinderella Marathon, you've trained so hard and overcome injury and have just overall become such a strong a FAST runner. Bask in that afterglow my dear and I can't wait to see what's next!
Yay! That's so great! Isn't it wonderful when you get that magical feeling?
Congratulations on the PR! You did amazingly. Great race report and I love the orange shorts.
Awesome job:) I am thrilled for you!!
great job and great recap!!! Yeah for the PR!
Congrats! I sounds like the perfect race!!
Way to knock that marathon out!! Very happy for you, congrats!!!
Yay! SO cool. I loved it and pray that I have a similar experience. You rocked it, BK!
Congrats on the awesomeness! I told you that you would kick Tampa booty!
yeah yeah yeah!!!! not one time did you want to quit, I love it. I am hoping that seattle goes that way for me this time. you and morgan definitely taught me the value of having people on the course with you that you know
YAY!! That's so awesome So glad you had such a great marathon and totally kicked ass. We all knew you would!
Amazing girl! You did awesome!! Congrats!!!
I am so happy for you! You did a great job! Congrats, Beth.
B.O.B you KICKED BUTT and TOOK NAMES girl!!! Congrats 🙂
Good job!! I'm so proud of you! You are so positive, and that totally probably helped you during the race!
What a great race report. Congrats on an awesome race!
You look so pretty!!! 🙂
Good job! I'm glad it was a great race!
Congrats on a great race performance. Cheers!
ah awesome freaking race! Way to take it in hard and push out ahead of the pace group you were so worried to join. PR and all… SO impressed with you guys!!!
-Stephanie
WWBKD is phenomenal. I am impressed with your movie/pop culture prowess. Oh and the running thing is good too! Way to go girl you earned it.
CONGRATS!!!!
YAY for Cinderella RACES! 🙂 Glad you had your day and it seems like it was so great and you were so happy the whole race. Congrats on kicking ass!
lol. i think i always think "i am never doing this again" haha. congrats once again girl! i'm glad everything came together so perfectly, including dear don in that lonely loop of some of the toughest miles. enjoyed the recap and love your outfit!
Congratulations Beth! You are awesome! I loved reading every word of your report and knowing how it was all going to turn out made it even sweeter! Nice to know all that hard work paid off! Way to go!
Congratulations Beth..you did just a great job! You and red inspire me so much 🙂 I am really glad that it went well and i hope you keep running 🙂 Great job pushing yourself!
I am so proud of you! Awesome job and congrats on the PR. I guess all the time you spent with the "gansta hills" really helped, huh? I want to do a marathon one day, but am too scared to commit to it! I'm not sure I can log enough miles every week and still have a life, haha. Congrats again!
What a magical race, B.O.B. Congratulations to you! Can't tell you how proud I am that you rocked this race! That's so awesome!
See, I knew you'd "define your own awesomeness"! I knew it…I just knew it! I hope I can be just as awesome in one of my marathons someday! Heehee!
Congrats again!
Nice! Congrats on the tremendous PR! But most important, it sounds like you had a great time. The smiles show it!
I think the first picture says it all. You with your big freaking smile while everyone around you has tht pained look on their face. That photo is priceless!
Thanks for this big boost. You have no idea what it means to me to be reading this less thn three weeks before my marathon. I'm now charged up and ready to have some fun!
I wish I looked half as good as you when I finish a marathon! Congrats on a well run race! You did awesome! Enjoy the ride!!!
I'm so proud of you my friend! So proud.
So – pace groups can be challenging – – they do tend to jump the pace around a bit depending on the experience of the PACER! They get behind so they speed up too quick, and vice versa! Good that you ran as you felt, since you kicked the pace group's ass!! You took the 4:10 pace group, and then you could have taken . . . whoa! let's not get ahead of ourselves! Congrats Cinderella! You too, are a MARATHONER!!
Congratulations! I only found your blog recently but I have really enjoyed following your journey. Your blog keeps me motivated and I look forward to your next adventure.
Great recap and congrats! Too funny about that Don character guy! Totally random! That's awesome you smoked the 4:15 pace group. Way run like a ninja!
Way to go!!! Your race report was wonderful! I hope you have a great weekend 🙂
That's so awesome, I have just started this whole blogging thing and have found it to be quite motivational thus far. I ran the half last weekend (my first) and it was such a great experience!
THAT'S FANTASTIC!!!!! WAY TO GO!! GREAT pictures. Thanks for the great motivation to keep on training–I want my own Cinderthon!!
😀
i read this post forever ago and have had it "starred" so i would make sure to comment at home (cant comment with these comment boxes at work, but i am reading!!)
CONGRATS girl, i am so so so happy for you! it is seriously the best ever when everything clicks on race day and you finally get to have that amazing race. SO excited for you, i hope you are still glowing from this 🙂
Hi, friend. Thought I'd read back through these for inspiration. I loved reading this. I hope my mile 18 is like this one instead of my last. We're going to do great on Sunday, come hell or high water.