The Detroit Marathon Recap
Marathon Weekend:
We had been much more prepared this week so Adam came home Friday at lunch, got his last minute things done and I picked the girls up from school. We ate then headed down to Proud Lake State Park. We got there about 4 pm and the water was turned off. Note to self: Quit fall camping! Anyway, Adam got the camper ready, got water for the camper from a faucet outside that worked (not like the one in Gaylord that he had to pump). I really wanted to get down to the expo Friday to get an "Underwater Mile" shirt as I heard they sell out fast. So we left my poor mom with the kids and headed down to Detroit. We checked out the expo, I got my bib and packet, got the shirt and headed back to the campsite. I felt a little rushed because since we ate late, we didn't have dinner before we left. We ended up getting back at 8 pm. Ugh. That hot dog did not hit the spot. The week of my marathon, I was fighting a wicked cold/sinus infection. I got an antibiotic Thursday but I hadn't slept that great the 3 nights leading up to the race.
Saturday, since I didn't have a reason to go down to Detroit, we just hung out. We took walks, the girls went for a bike ride. It was a nice morning. I had rented a cabin to sleep in Saturday night so I wouldn't disturb the whole family at 4 am getting ready for the race. That helped to have so the girls had somewhere to run around while it started to storm Saturday afternoon. My friend Laura came down from Saginaw to be my crew/sherpa. We decided to go down to the expo again. I wanted to change my corral, get one of those Kangaroo pouches to hold my license/cards/cash instead of using a hip belt. I had trained with my pack all season and didn't want to go too crazy so I decided to just get the pouch thing because it was just enough to hold my stuff and some fuel without being all the way around my waist. Saturday night was not good. I didn't sleep well at all. It was cold and I couldn't get comfortable. 3:45 am came way too fast.
Sunday, the day of the race. Laura and I had discussed where we'd meet, what she would give me, etc. We had some stuff loaded up and by 4:30 we were on the road to Detroit. Getting to the parking garage proved to be an anxious event but we made it in plenty of time. We went into a building to keep warm and I got in my corral about 6:30 am. I wanted to stick with the 4:55 pacer as long as I could but would have been fine with the 5 or 5:10. I know I could do 11:30s for the distance and for the first 3 miles it went smoothly. Then we went up the ambassador bridge. My pacer and the 5 hour pacer were never really far apart so I'm not sure following the 5 hour guy would have done me much better. The 4:55 pacer powers up the bridge and this girl, Britney & I are doing our best to catch back up to her. We finally did on the downhills but by then it was too late. I clocked 10:45 on that mile. I kept up until about half way through the tunnel and I told Britney to go ahead without me because I couldn't keep that pace. Soon, I stopped to walk. The 5 hour pacer passed me. Sh*t. It was like from then, I couldn't get out of my own head. Knowing I wasn't going to make the time I wanted. The tunnel was cool. It didn't freak me out but it was hot. I just untucked my arms from the sleeves and kept my shirt around my neck. I came out of the tunnel and shortly there after I hear my name "Aidalys!!" and I look to my right and I see Misty. OMG. I lose it. She surprised me. So I hug her and cry and say "Oh my gosh this is so freaking hard!!" She reassures me and I get to running. I see Laura there too and it's a welcome sight. I felt so supported.
The next few miles were a blur. All I remember is at the halfway point looking at my family and just breaking down. I hug everyone and am crying. I tell Adam "This is so hard. How am I going to do this all over again?!" He reassures me. Laura gives me my hand bottle, my potatoes and my oranges. At mile 13.5, I realize, "Crap. I don't have my treats." I text Laura knowing I probably would just have to do without. It was crazy and I don't think either of us remembered. Anyway, at mile 14 I'm crying again. I call Adam SO MAD. "Why did you let me do this?! This is so stupid. I can't believe I signed up for this. How dumb!" He reassures me. At mile 16, I decide to turn on some music. I think this is about the time you go through Indian Village. I took a shot of beer someone was offering. Why the heck not at this point. Mile 18 I ran through "the wall" (a cardboard wall outside of someone's house titled The Wall") It kept my spirits up. There was tons of people out on the course handing out different things. I always stopped for water and Gatorade even when I had my hand bottle.
Laura messaged me and said she'd meet me at mile 19 before Belle Isle. Thank you, God. Now, Belle Isle is no where near the halfway point/finish line. Laura RENTED A BIKE!! and met me there so I would have my treats (I didn't know this until after the race.) I gave her my bottle, she gave me my snacks and reassured me as well. Now Belle Isle is an out and back. It was cold, it was windy and pure H***. At mile 22, because it'd been the furthest I've run, I treated myself to some peanut m&m's. It was so cold that I dropped a bunch of them and they were hard to chew lol.
Finally off Belle Isle about 23 and I had a 5k left. This was a lot of walking and less running. I met someone name Joey around 24.5. He was also a "greenie", it was his first marathon too. We talked about how much this sucked and he asked me "Want to finish this together?" and I said "Yes, let's do it." He had to stop to walk once and I said, "Ok, Joey, but no more. I just want to get this over with." About a half mile to go, I saw my family again. We hit the power up sign and continued on our way. He saw his family by the finish line. I saw Christine and Misty & Matt again. Their cheers were great for that final stretch and we both ran in together. 5:38:56. It's a little cruel because they make you walk down this long chute to the finisher's tent. I didn't walk all the way down, Laura was on the side and I had someone let me out. My feet could not walk anymore and the tent was opposite the parking garage. I kept it together through it. Once I saw my family and I got a hug from Adam telling me he was proud of me is when I started to cry again. On the way to the car, I drank some chocolate milk and some potatoes. It took forever to get out of the garage. I started feeling car sick on the highway and Laura had to pull over. *Hurl* Got back to the campground. Showered in lukewarm water, lol and got dressed. Adam was almost all the way packed up. On the way home he got me some bread and chicken noodle soup. It wasn't Panera but it was still tasty and it the spot.
Now, pretty soon after, I realized that I had to do this again. As much as I hated it, that was not the race I trained for. I was sick, on crap sleep, it was cold, I went out too fast, all these things contributed to a less than stellar performance. At the end of the day, though, I crossed the same finish line that someone who did it in 3 hours did. I did it. It was hard. Wasn't what I hoped/trained for but I still have a great sense of accomplishment doing it.
I have to thank the following people (in no particular order):
Adam-Thank you for asking me if I knew that a half marathon was like running from our house to Auburn and back. You lit a fire in me and I proved I could do a half. Now, thank you for always supporting me afterwards. You also sacrificed your weekends. You didn't get to sleep in while I was on my long runs. You also gave up a lot to help me get this unicorn that I'm sure neither of us thought I'd catch. I love you.
My girls- You also gave up a lot of time with me so I could train for this but just know that I also did this for you. I did it so you know you can do anything you set your mind to. You can do hard things. You can blow any goal out of the water if you believe in yourself and put in the work.
Mom- Thank you for being here to help me get through this crazy time in my life. I'm glad you've been here for me.
Misty- Thank you for the endless miles we ran together, for the advice, teaching me how to fuel, taking the pressure off, and for the reassurances that I could do this. For showing up to surprise me and eliciting all the tears. You're an amazing friend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Laura- You didn't have to come to Detroit. On your son's birthday of all days. You can't run and you hate it but you still showed up for me. You rented a bike for goodness sakes just so I could have the things I needed to get through my mental blocks! I couldn't have done this without you. I couldn't have dealt with the stress of Adam doing everything you did for me on that day. Thank you.
My MCF girls- Stephanie, all the miles and conversations, Janelle, for letting me be a part of your first half, Laura for stalking me for the past year & Jill for your energy and conversation while out on the trails. You guys rock.
Other running/non-running friends- Thanks for the inspirations, the pushes, the miles, the laughs and the tears. You were part of the reason I was going to crawl to the finish line if I had to.
God- It goes without saying that my faith carried me through training and that finish line.
Glass City 2019. You're next.
Thanks for reading!!
We had been much more prepared this week so Adam came home Friday at lunch, got his last minute things done and I picked the girls up from school. We ate then headed down to Proud Lake State Park. We got there about 4 pm and the water was turned off. Note to self: Quit fall camping! Anyway, Adam got the camper ready, got water for the camper from a faucet outside that worked (not like the one in Gaylord that he had to pump). I really wanted to get down to the expo Friday to get an "Underwater Mile" shirt as I heard they sell out fast. So we left my poor mom with the kids and headed down to Detroit. We checked out the expo, I got my bib and packet, got the shirt and headed back to the campsite. I felt a little rushed because since we ate late, we didn't have dinner before we left. We ended up getting back at 8 pm. Ugh. That hot dog did not hit the spot. The week of my marathon, I was fighting a wicked cold/sinus infection. I got an antibiotic Thursday but I hadn't slept that great the 3 nights leading up to the race.
Saturday, since I didn't have a reason to go down to Detroit, we just hung out. We took walks, the girls went for a bike ride. It was a nice morning. I had rented a cabin to sleep in Saturday night so I wouldn't disturb the whole family at 4 am getting ready for the race. That helped to have so the girls had somewhere to run around while it started to storm Saturday afternoon. My friend Laura came down from Saginaw to be my crew/sherpa. We decided to go down to the expo again. I wanted to change my corral, get one of those Kangaroo pouches to hold my license/cards/cash instead of using a hip belt. I had trained with my pack all season and didn't want to go too crazy so I decided to just get the pouch thing because it was just enough to hold my stuff and some fuel without being all the way around my waist. Saturday night was not good. I didn't sleep well at all. It was cold and I couldn't get comfortable. 3:45 am came way too fast.
Sunday, the day of the race. Laura and I had discussed where we'd meet, what she would give me, etc. We had some stuff loaded up and by 4:30 we were on the road to Detroit. Getting to the parking garage proved to be an anxious event but we made it in plenty of time. We went into a building to keep warm and I got in my corral about 6:30 am. I wanted to stick with the 4:55 pacer as long as I could but would have been fine with the 5 or 5:10. I know I could do 11:30s for the distance and for the first 3 miles it went smoothly. Then we went up the ambassador bridge. My pacer and the 5 hour pacer were never really far apart so I'm not sure following the 5 hour guy would have done me much better. The 4:55 pacer powers up the bridge and this girl, Britney & I are doing our best to catch back up to her. We finally did on the downhills but by then it was too late. I clocked 10:45 on that mile. I kept up until about half way through the tunnel and I told Britney to go ahead without me because I couldn't keep that pace. Soon, I stopped to walk. The 5 hour pacer passed me. Sh*t. It was like from then, I couldn't get out of my own head. Knowing I wasn't going to make the time I wanted. The tunnel was cool. It didn't freak me out but it was hot. I just untucked my arms from the sleeves and kept my shirt around my neck. I came out of the tunnel and shortly there after I hear my name "Aidalys!!" and I look to my right and I see Misty. OMG. I lose it. She surprised me. So I hug her and cry and say "Oh my gosh this is so freaking hard!!" She reassures me and I get to running. I see Laura there too and it's a welcome sight. I felt so supported.
The next few miles were a blur. All I remember is at the halfway point looking at my family and just breaking down. I hug everyone and am crying. I tell Adam "This is so hard. How am I going to do this all over again?!" He reassures me. Laura gives me my hand bottle, my potatoes and my oranges. At mile 13.5, I realize, "Crap. I don't have my treats." I text Laura knowing I probably would just have to do without. It was crazy and I don't think either of us remembered. Anyway, at mile 14 I'm crying again. I call Adam SO MAD. "Why did you let me do this?! This is so stupid. I can't believe I signed up for this. How dumb!" He reassures me. At mile 16, I decide to turn on some music. I think this is about the time you go through Indian Village. I took a shot of beer someone was offering. Why the heck not at this point. Mile 18 I ran through "the wall" (a cardboard wall outside of someone's house titled The Wall") It kept my spirits up. There was tons of people out on the course handing out different things. I always stopped for water and Gatorade even when I had my hand bottle.
Laura messaged me and said she'd meet me at mile 19 before Belle Isle. Thank you, God. Now, Belle Isle is no where near the halfway point/finish line. Laura RENTED A BIKE!! and met me there so I would have my treats (I didn't know this until after the race.) I gave her my bottle, she gave me my snacks and reassured me as well. Now Belle Isle is an out and back. It was cold, it was windy and pure H***. At mile 22, because it'd been the furthest I've run, I treated myself to some peanut m&m's. It was so cold that I dropped a bunch of them and they were hard to chew lol.
Finally off Belle Isle about 23 and I had a 5k left. This was a lot of walking and less running. I met someone name Joey around 24.5. He was also a "greenie", it was his first marathon too. We talked about how much this sucked and he asked me "Want to finish this together?" and I said "Yes, let's do it." He had to stop to walk once and I said, "Ok, Joey, but no more. I just want to get this over with." About a half mile to go, I saw my family again. We hit the power up sign and continued on our way. He saw his family by the finish line. I saw Christine and Misty & Matt again. Their cheers were great for that final stretch and we both ran in together. 5:38:56. It's a little cruel because they make you walk down this long chute to the finisher's tent. I didn't walk all the way down, Laura was on the side and I had someone let me out. My feet could not walk anymore and the tent was opposite the parking garage. I kept it together through it. Once I saw my family and I got a hug from Adam telling me he was proud of me is when I started to cry again. On the way to the car, I drank some chocolate milk and some potatoes. It took forever to get out of the garage. I started feeling car sick on the highway and Laura had to pull over. *Hurl* Got back to the campground. Showered in lukewarm water, lol and got dressed. Adam was almost all the way packed up. On the way home he got me some bread and chicken noodle soup. It wasn't Panera but it was still tasty and it the spot.
I have to thank the following people (in no particular order):
Adam-Thank you for asking me if I knew that a half marathon was like running from our house to Auburn and back. You lit a fire in me and I proved I could do a half. Now, thank you for always supporting me afterwards. You also sacrificed your weekends. You didn't get to sleep in while I was on my long runs. You also gave up a lot to help me get this unicorn that I'm sure neither of us thought I'd catch. I love you.
My girls- You also gave up a lot of time with me so I could train for this but just know that I also did this for you. I did it so you know you can do anything you set your mind to. You can do hard things. You can blow any goal out of the water if you believe in yourself and put in the work.
Mom- Thank you for being here to help me get through this crazy time in my life. I'm glad you've been here for me.
Misty- Thank you for the endless miles we ran together, for the advice, teaching me how to fuel, taking the pressure off, and for the reassurances that I could do this. For showing up to surprise me and eliciting all the tears. You're an amazing friend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Laura- You didn't have to come to Detroit. On your son's birthday of all days. You can't run and you hate it but you still showed up for me. You rented a bike for goodness sakes just so I could have the things I needed to get through my mental blocks! I couldn't have done this without you. I couldn't have dealt with the stress of Adam doing everything you did for me on that day. Thank you.
My MCF girls- Stephanie, all the miles and conversations, Janelle, for letting me be a part of your first half, Laura for stalking me for the past year & Jill for your energy and conversation while out on the trails. You guys rock.
Other running/non-running friends- Thanks for the inspirations, the pushes, the miles, the laughs and the tears. You were part of the reason I was going to crawl to the finish line if I had to.
God- It goes without saying that my faith carried me through training and that finish line.
Glass City 2019. You're next.
Thanks for reading!!
.JPG)
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