Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sometimes, that's just the way the cookie crumbles

I started running after college to fill the void of no longer playing competitive teams sports. A volleyball player thought high school and college, I kind of thrive on a training schedule, competition and athletic goals. For the same reasons, I think I have come to love running - both the activity itself and the training for races. And what greater race to train for than a marathon.

The difference though is that in volleyball, one bad game could be rectified with 20+ possible other opportunities in a given season. Training for a marathon is all about one day. And if the day doesn't go as planned, the next opportunity is a bit further away than right around the corner.

Such was my experience yesterday at the 115th Boston Marathon. All signs pointed to a great race. My training was stronger than it had ever been and I felt great on Monday morning. I wasn't nervous, but just excited and happy to be running the race. I was running with my friend Jason, who had given up his spot in corral #2 to pace me to my marathon goal, and couldn't have been happier about having such a great running partner.

Things started out well. One of the challenges of being a non-qualified runner for Boston is starting in the way back with the other non-qualified runners. The first 4-5 miles were very congested. Several times being stopped in my tracks by a wall of runners quite a bit slower in front of me. But despite that, I was on pace after the first 5 miles. Miles 5-10 opened up a bit and I ran comfortably, again hitting my goal pace as of Mile 10. Miles 10-15 started out well too and I crossed the 1/2 way point about 20 seconds under pace.

But around Mile 14 I started to feel a little off. I noticed my hip (THE hip) was starting to ache a bit. I have to say, of any body part, that's the one I am super tuned into these days, so I started to drop my pace a little and paid attention to how things were feeling. Slowly though, things got worse instead of better. By mile 18, I hardly noticed my hip because my quads and calves had started cramping pretty bad. I made an effort to drink more as I chugged away up the hills. I found a short burst of energy when I saw friends at the top of Heartbreak Hill and hoped I could sustain it, but by the waterstop at Mile 21, I was walking trying to shake out the cramps that were now really slowing me down.

Only 5 miles to go. But these 5 felt like 500. I wanted so badly to run faster but my legs disagreed. I started cramping in my feet - my feet! That has NEVER happened before on a run. So I just plodded along. Walking through waterstops to try to down fluids that might ease the cramping (it didn't). I had visualized running strong through Kenmore Square so many times as this race approached. I was supposed to be smiling and having fun, ignoring the inevitable aches, knowing I was on my way to my best marathon ever. Unfortunately, my trip through Kenmore was a bit different yesterday. Head down and focused on just getting the damn race over with. I didn't even want to see if anyone was there cheering for me. I just wanted it to end.

Right on Hereford, left on Boylston and I could see the finish line. We moved to the left so I could see my parents who had been camped out there all day waiting for me. The night before, my mom told me that whatever happened on race day, I was not allowed to cry unless my leg was falling off. Seeing as it was not that bad, I waved and smiled as I passed by my folks. With the finish ahead, I noticed my watch said 3:59:25. It was a long shot, but I was going to try to at least stay under 4 hours. I picked up the pace and ran what felt like a sprint for the last tenth of a mile. Jason grabbed my hand for an arms raised crossing of the finish line (it's good for the photos :) as we crossed at 4:00:19.

Yesterday was definitely not the day I had envisioned through out 4 months of training. I'm definitely disappointed and frustrated that my hard work did not end with the result I had worked so hard to achieve. However, even if I am not ready to embrace it yet, I also realize that what happened yesterday is still an accomplishment, if in a slightly different way. I still ran a marathon 51 weeks after having hip surgery. And I still finished that marathon, despite wanting to cut my legs off at mile 22. Oh, and I have raised almost $5000 for the Alzheimer's Association in the process.

If I could have had it my way, I would have wrote the ending to my Boston Marathon story a bit differently. But it is what it is and instead will do my best to learn for the experience. It's still my goal to run a 3:40 marathon. Yesterday was just not the day and sometimes, that's just the way the cookie crumbles. I'll just have to figure out another way to make it happen.

9 comments:

Kimi said...

Sorry to hear your race wasn't what you had hoped for - but you are still a rock star in my eyes. And I'm a runner who dreams of one day getting CLOSE to a four-hour marathon :)

Vinnie said...

Chrissy if I wrote out my race day in 2010 it would have been exactly the same of what you just wrote. Outside of the hip, of course! I had the exact same thing happen to me at mile 17 and I cramped up all the way through the finish. It is a long trek but now that I look back on it without the training and dedication you wouldn't have been able to finish. It is hard to swallow today but a year from now you will look back at what an amazing accomplishment it was to run a 4:00 hr marathon after being out for so long with a serious injury. Congrats on your race you did awesome!

Donna Lowell said...

Sorry that your day didn't go quite the way that you had hoped it would - but if you look at the other 364 days since the last marathon - you've accomplished some amazing things - one of which is $5000 towards a fantastic cause!! We're so proud of you Chrissy :-)

Tricia said...

Chrissy, sorry it did not turn out the way you wanted, but that doesn't diminish what you've accomplished! Raising awareness and raising money for the many families that are effected by this horrible disease. You are an inspiration!

Unknown said...

You're the picture of perseverance Chrissy! It's amazing to think of how far you've come since surgery. You may have inspired me to rejoin the team next year...

Unknown said...

Chrissy, I am so proud of you for pushing through all of that pain and finishing. You are really inspiring, and even though it wasn't quite what you hoped for, your attitude about it is as inspiring as the whole ordeal! Congrats, not only for raising money for a great cause, but for finishing a miserable race and STILL keeping a positive attitude about it. You rock. :)

Chick said...

Chrissy- You are my hero. Think about what you have accomplished. 4 hours for 26 + miles and hurting for many of those miles. What perseverance, fortitude and commitment. Relax, heal and get back to the training. You rock girl.

Mary Lou Moran said...

You are a real champ as far as I am concerned. I don't know how you stuck it out under such painful conditions.I think Grandpa was there toward the end giving you a little push over the line. Congratulations not only for running but for your fund raising for such an important cause. Until next year,
Mary Lou Moran

Mom said...

Hmmmmm... I thought that the comment you made right after the race through clenched teeth and quivering leg muscles about this being your last one wouldn't make it much past the evening!
The way you trained and pushed through this race,the way you dealt with the results and your dedication to the Alzheimer Fundraising efforts just reflects what a special person you are. We are always so proud of all you do and will be there next year to cheer you on again!