Last Saturday morning I ran 26.2 miles. Yep. I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to run the Suntrust Richmond Marathon.
I had originally signed up for the half-marathon but with the encouragement of a student leader I work with, Kyle, and the fact that I put myself through hell for Tough Mudder a few weeks ago I decided to do a last-minute switch to the marathon.
I was so nervous…but thank goodness Lil Wayne, Drake, Jay-Z, and Kanye helped calm my nerves.
I wore a runner’s fanny pack that held Cliff’s Shot Blocks (which I swear by) and my phone so I could take pictures along the race…and also call someone if I had a heart attack.
The race started at 8AM and I felt good. The first 13 miles were gorgeous. Falltime in Virginia is hard to beat.
I HAD to sport a Hokie Camp bandana to rep my school and my favorite VT tradition. Obvi. During the entire race people were yelling, “Hey, Hokie Camp!!” or “Go Hokies!!” or “Keep running, Hokie!!” I was SO proud to be a Hokie!!
This girl in one group on the side of the road got really excited when she saw I was a Hokie and yelled, “Ahhhh! Go Hokies!!” She preceded to run out into the middle of the street and pull a party popper/glitter cannon so glitter and streamers popped all over me. It. Was. Awesome. #PrincessHokieSwag
The course was studded with really great signs. Here are some of my favorites:
“Toenails are overrated.” –I saw this and my toes immediately started hurting.
“Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.” –True that.
“Run like you stole something.”
“Don’t poop.”–For real. It’s a problem for some folks.
“26.2. Because 26.3 would be insane.”
Anyways, I was on pace to finish in 4:15. I felt awesome …Then I hit a wall at mile 20. I felt like I was running through jello. For real.
I think this picture was taken when I thought my feet were going to fall off.
My feet didn’t really fall off and 4 hours and 31 minutes later, I crossed the finish line (only 41 minutes after Kyle…)
He was waiting there at the finish line for me and I felt SO great when I finished. I couldn’t believe I actually did it.
We sat down for a bit and took a breather. But honestly all I could think about was dominating a burger. And a shower. I desperately wanted a shower.
Before leaving for Richmond, I told a student leader, Sean, that I was worried about smelling after the race. He replied: “You’re worried about smelling after running 26.2 miles? You do remember getting sprayed by a skunk earlier this semester, right? Can it get worse?” Touche, Sean, touche. I know I smelt sooo bad….
We stopped at Five Guys on the way home and inhaled burgers and fries. It’s been three days and I’m still eating like I’m a bottomless pit. When is it time to stop blaming your intense hunger on the fact that you ran a marathon?
Anyways, here’s the swag I walked away with.
I had a fantastic time and I’m P-U-M-P-E-D PUMPED for my next one. Some ladies I met during the race told me Oprah ran a marathon in 4:30…so I have to keep running until I beat her. Duh.
Next marathons on my list: Shamrock in Virginia Beach and Marine Corps in DC…BRING IT ON. Oh, and a triathlon. That sounds like fun.
PS Tejas bound in 3 days…I’m so excited..I…can’t…even…breathe..
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