Marathon Reflections

Well, the big day has come and gone. The soreness passed quickly, with the exceptions of my two second toes...probably going to lose both toenails. Awesome. Promise not to show pictures of that. :)


I've had a number of mixed feelings about the whole experience. Unfortuneately, the strongest feeling I've experienced in the last couple of days is one of disappointment in myself, as I don't feel like I put forth the best race I was capable of physically after so much training.

I've been working really hard to overcome such feelings, and focus more on the positive. Some wise friends pointed out that I ought to focus more on what I've become because of the training. I also feel good about the example I've set for my children. I received a few super-encouraging emails from others who were inspired by my goals to make some fitness goals for themselves. And I raised some money for a very worthy cause that is near and dear to me heart.


So all is not lost.

But now I'm going to have to do it all again, probably in 3 or 4 years when the kids are older. In the meantime, I'll work on getting faster on the shorter distances, running 5K's mainly, with a couple of half marathons each year.


And someday I'll run that marathon that will make me feel proud of myself with no reservations.

Look for an actual race report in the next two days. And thanks again to two very special friends for watching our FIVE little ones while Mr. Bloomers and I were otherwise engaged in running ourselves sick. (Well, at least I got sick. :)


(Also, sorry about my pasty white face and slumping shoulders in these pictures. We cleverly forgot to take any pre-race photos, so here I am trying hard not to be violently ill. And yes, I paid out of pocket to have this experience on purpose. But doesn't Mr. Bloomers look handsome?)