I started my race day at 4am. I hopped out of bed when my phone started ringing and stumbled into the bathroom to get ready. I got into this get up…

Which took all of about 10 minutes (and yes, I put makeup on for races). Then I have no idea what I did for the remaining 50.  I checked my email. Read some blogs. Freaked out a little. The usual stuff.

We headed out to the Savannah Mall around 5-5:15. I made Paula listen to “Let’s Go to The Mall” on the way. I think she thought it was a real video. We got right outside the mall area in about 25 minutes and then proceeded to sit there for another 15 minutes in traffic. I MAY have yelled the hubby a little bit. Sorry babe. Can we blame it on race nerves?

We finally parked and hopped on a shuttle (code word for school bus) within minutes. On the way out we realized we JUST beat the rush. Thankfully we weren’t running late!

We got to the race site about 40 minutes later and started walking towards the start. Out of nowhere my running group buddy Becky ran up behind me to wish me good luck! How funny that in a group of 23,000 runners I see her immediately??

We then start looking for a place to pee and walk past a gazillion porta-potties with huge lines. We finally give up the idea of finding a short line and just get in one. We waited about 25-30 minutes and the nerves kept building and building. Luckily, during that time we spotted Paula’s running buddy, Brad who planned on running with us.

{In case you were wondering if Paula *hearts* Mr. Darcy. She totes does.}

While we were waiting to pee the race processional started. The National Anthem was played (with a major snafu — “I Love Rock n Roll” was playing in the background!) and they started letting the corrals go. I was silently freaking. We were in Corral 12 — and we JUST made it before they let us go (we did a little warm up run to get there). I *almost* forgot my water bottle, but thank goodness the hubby remembered he had it at the last minute!

We took a quick picture right before the gun — and we were off.

I remember shouting to Paula… “We are running a freaking marathon!!”  I think reality finally set in.

Miles 1-3 – The first 3 miles were cold (they gradually got warmer). I couldn’t feel my feet. I couldn’t feel my hands. They were also fast and exciting. We ran through some of the poorer parts of Savannah – but whatever they lacked in money, they made up for in spirit and soul. This was definitely one of the highlights of this race. People were out there shouting, “Good morning!” and just shouting and cheering for all of us. I wished they were at the end of the race too! Another awesome moment was at Mile 3 — the garbage truck guys were out dancing and high fiving with their trucks. It’s seriously the little things!

We kept a moderate pace (my biggest fear was going out to fast) and we hit 5K at 31:37.

I also spotted Allison around Mile 3ish and she was looking strong! Around that time I also tossed my throwaway jacket.

• Mile 1: 10:01
• Mile 2: 10:04
• Mile 3: 10:26

Miles 4-9 – I took my first gel at Mile 4 (and continued to do so every 4 miles) and then we ran for a long time into the sun. I remembering commenting to someone that I didn’t know which was worse – the sun or the wind. I had no idea those words would come back and haunt me. Definitely the wind. Without a freaking doubt.

I knew that we would see the hubby between Miles 6-8, so I had my eye out. Sure enough – he was there around Mile 7.5ish, just before we headed back into the downtown area. He snapped a picture, yelled at Paula, and shouted that he would see me again at Mile 14. Woo!

Miles 8-9 were a huge rush because it was packed full of people (mostly drinking). I got a lot of shouts for my sparkly skirt and people calling my name out. I have to admit, I felt like a rockstar!

At Mile 8ish, Paula commented that it was the longest we had ever run together in a race (which was true) and then I promptly lost her at Mile 9. They stopped for water – but I kept going. My legs just did not want to stop -and I decided to listen. Around that time I also finished my waterbottle of Nuun and started walking at every water/Cytomax stop.

• Mile 4: 10:19
• Mile 5: 10:46
• Mile 6: 10:20
• Mile 7: 10:28
• Mile 8: 10:13
• Mile 9: 11:01

Miles 10 – 20 – Thus began the lonely race without Paula and Brad. Though I did see them a few times as we did a few out and backs (which, for the record – I hate) and it was fun to cheer for each other! These 10 miles felt the best and they also just zipped by. I was able to pick up my speed quite a bit, and I manage to get a minute or two ahead of the 4:30 pace group. I crossed 13.1  at 2:16 – which was pretty much RIGHT on target with my goals.

I saw the hubby again at Mile 14ish – and threw the armsleeves I was wearing at him.

[blackbirdpie id=”132830288601550850″]

Don’t worry – this was a good thing! After I saw him, I knew it would be another 10-11 miles before we met again, so I popped in my earbuds and started to jam out to my music.

At mile 18ish they had table salt laying out on the table and I grabbed a few packets and totally sucked them down. My hips/legs were starting to feel crampy. I have NO idea if it was really the salt that helped, or it was just psychological – but soon after I took the salt I felt a million times better.

• Mile 10: 10:17
• Mile 11: 10:17
• Mile 12: 10:04
• Mile 13: 10:05
• Mile 14: 10:00
• Mile 15: 10:05
• Mile 16: 9:52
• Mile 17: 9:58
• Mile 18: 9:57
• Mile 19: 10:16
• Mile 20: 10:15

Miles 21-25 – I still felt great going into Mile 21. In fact, I managed to pull out my phone and text the hubby “21” to let him know where I was. Then the great highway run of 2011 occurred. It started with a slow and gradual climb up an on ramp (if I knew Savannah at all I would be able to tell you which highway we were on. I don’t and honestly, I never want to be on that stretch of highway again). After the first climb, there was a second climb. Again, gradual – but completely against a massive headwind. This headwind lasted for the next 3 miles. Later I found out we getting hit by wind gusts between 15-25 mph. I totally believe it. Not only was the wind uncomfortable and made me wish I hadn’t thrown away the armsleeves – but it made my nose run like a hose. A hose that I repeatedly wiped and blew into my shirt (you’re welcome) and chaffed my nose. It’s still raw.

Around Mile 23 the 4:30 pace group passed me. I could tell you that I felt motivated to go faster. That I wanted to catch up with them, but no. It just made me angry. At this point, I just started screaming, “I hate this f*cking course!” at the top of my lungs. I also texted the hubby and told him I hated the effing wind. Except I used the real word.

Then, Coldplay’s “Fix You” came on my iPod (I listen to it on shuffle – I like not knowing what’s coming next) and for whatever cheesy reason, it spoke to me.

When you try your best, but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

It wasn’t like I was dying or was even considering stopping – but when I heard those words I stopped bitching. I got into my head and I ran. Not fast – but with determination. I turned me around.

At mile 25 I finally saw the hubby again. I ran over, I kissed him, and he said “You’re my favorite runner!” (Which then apparently everyone around him repeated – ha ha). I was ALMOST done!!!

And then – possibly the BEST moment of the race – I heard a voice or a runner behind me. It was Becky!! She was hurting, but commented that I was doing awesome and that I was going to finish and to push ahead. I can’t explain howit felt to see the person I had trained with all summer! She inspired me to kick it up and push it.

• Mile 21: 10:18
• Mile 22: 10:30
• Mile 23: 10:45
• Mile 24: 11:06
• Mile 25: 10:41

The last little bit – JUST as I crossed the finish line, I heard the announcer call my name. Then she shouted, “Michelle – You’re looking very sparkly! That’s Michelle Wright everyone!” I’m not sure if anyone heard it (and who knows, it might have all been in my head) – but then I crossed the finish. Hands held high! I WAS DONE.

• Mile 26: 11:04
• .2:  10:12

Final chip time: 4:33:21

I didn’t reach my A goal (which was 4:30), but I was close and ultimately, I finished and I finished STRONG.

{apparently a runner’s high also looks like a marijuana high – not that I would know anything about that!}

I found Becky  after and we took this horrible photo… It’s so us.

and then I sat down on the curb with a water and a banana and waited. My face was happy, but my legs felt like they didn’t belong to me. It was surreal.

The hubby finally found me and we claimed my free beer. My phone’s reception wasn’t that hot – so we wandered around for a while before realizing that Paula had texted me.

We did a slow run at each other once we found each other (OK, actually we helped her off the ground) and then we grabbed her free beer and reunited with Brad one last time.

Then grabbed the next shuttle back to the mall — where we ran into Allison again! I thought it was funny how we kept running into the same people. What are the odds? We chatted with Allison and her boyfriend Ryan all the way back to the mall.

They are seriously cute people. Can you adopt adults? Because I would totally adopt them!

When we got back to the hotel the first thing I did was take an ice bath. And the second thing I did was scream.

{Most attractive picture. EVER.}

It was so. so. so. cold and painful – but I think it definitely helped! And bonus? My legs actually fit in the tub!

Overall – I REALLY enjoyed running the marathon distance. People keep asking me if I’ll do it again and the answer is definitely yes. Will I ever run Savannah again? The answer is definitely no. I hated the course. I hated that the majority of the crowd support was the first 10 miles of the race. I hated that effing highway and the headwind that I couldn’t train for.

That said, the next time I run a marathon I WILL break 4:30 – but I wouldn’t change a thing about my race strategy. It definitely worked for me!

And lastly – I know I sound like a broken record – but thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support! I couldn’t have done this race without my wonderful hubby who was the best cheerleader I know, our wonderful family members who watched our kids the entire weekend we were away, Paula for being my best running buddy ever, Kate for listening to me babble on for months, and everyone who followed me along believing in me. You don’t even realize how powerful belief is until you experience it.

Now that this post took me forever to write – I think it’s finally sinking in. I am a marathoner!!!