It's been just 5 days since running the marathon, and I am still having trouble believing that it's done and over.  We got to St. Charles on Saturday night after having pizza with my Uncle & his family on the way down.  I was feeling pretty good about the race, but mostly just worried about getting there on time and figuring out where to go once I got there.  Also we had to go to Walgreens and buy safety pins because those apparently weren't included with my bib number.  (Bib number 1128 that is.)

The morning of the race came before the sun even was up.  I woke up at 4:00 AM, and dragged myself out of bed at 4:30.  I had a bowl of oatmeal, half a bagel, and some orange juice for breakfast.  I met a couple people who were there for the marathon also while getting breakfast.  We were out the door by 5:30 and planned to arrive at 6 for a 7:15 AM start time.  Unfortunately the exit my dad was planning on taking was closed for the marathon so we were in traffic for about half an hour before we got to the parking lot.  I did a bit of warming up (since it was seriously cold) and stretching.  I hugged my family goodbye only to turn around and see the Neubert family (aka my boyfriend Peter, good friend Laura & their parents) and my best friend Megan walk up.  After another series of hugs and good luck wishes (no "Break a leg" wishes are allowed), I went to my starting corral.  I found my friend Betsy shortly before the National Anthem was sang and the race started.

The start of the race was a bit different than what I am used to.  Normally I hear a gun, and I am trained to take off running with all my guts until I'm done.  I don't remember hearing a gun or anything, but I do remember walking casually towards the starting line past my cheering squad and beginning to slowly jog as I crossed the start line.  The 8,000 people there made it a bit difficult to get into our pace at first.

I guess I was so excited that the first mile came and went.  It was just before the 1 mile that I took off my long sleeved shirt and tossed it to the side of the expressway with a pile of other people's clothing.  Apparently in marathons people just bring "throw away clothes" which are collected, washed, and donated to charity after the marathon.  Hopefully that's what happened to my 2005 Turkey Trot shirt.  Mile 2 came quickly as well.  We were slightly slower than the 10 minute mile pace that we were shooting for, but I attribute that to all of the runners around us making it more difficult to run.

I think I saw the Neuberts & Megan around mile 3 or 4 or maybe 6 or both.  Peter said something about us being about 4 minutes off pace in the beginning of the race and staying the same 4 minutes off pace for the majority of the race.  Mile 5 brought about the "Mile 5 High 5."  We got the idea from someone we overheard talking near us.  I remember seeing a man juggling while running somewhere in this area of the race.  He didn't drop any balls while I ran past him.  It was during mile 7 that we crossed the bridge over the Missouri River.  My fear of water set in when I looked down at a drain in the road and saw the water way below me.  It was around this mile that we had a lot of semi trucks honking at all the runners to cheer us on.  Betsy also was singing tunes such as the "YMCA" song which made it quite entertaining.  At the 8 mile mark they gave out Gu Energy Gel (Vanilla Bean).  After I grabbed mine I heard someone shout, "Go Curly!!!"  I realized that I am probably the only person whose nickname is Curly and saw my dad cheering me on.  (My mom was there too, but I didn't see her.)  Right around the corner from there were the Neuberts & Megan again.  It seems that I mostly remember the parts when people cheered for me the most.  Also there was this person holding an adorable baby with a sign that said, "This baby will cry if you stop."

Mile 8 and 9 was when we finally were off the expressway and busy roads onto some residential and rural roads.  I much preferred the race after this point.  It made for some nice scenery.  I really wasn't feeling bad at all.  Betsy and I almost got separated during mile 9, but we caught up at the water station just before mile 10.  She share some quotes with me from Nathan (her boyfriend) and I shared a quote from Peter.  (Aww, Bonding time.)  During Mile 11 we had to run past a waste treatment facility.  It smelled like we stuck our heads inside of a port-a-potty.  It wasn't long after this that I didn't see Betsy anymore.

Mile 12 & 13 were more through downtown St. Charles with the first of many hills.  I saw my parents, sister, brother in-law, and niece all standing on a corner.  I saw them way before they saw me though so I ended up waving at them.  It was sort of a "Look, Mom!  I'm running a marathon!" wave.  The people running the half marathon finished at the 13.1 mile and I remember the announcer saying how much of a success it was to run a half marathon in under 2 hours and 30 minutes.  I passed the 13.1 mile mark at 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Since my goal was to finish in 4 hours and 30 minutes I was very excited to be on target.  Though once I passed the half marathon finish and continued on the marathon course I realized that there weren't near as many people as before!  I remember seeing the Neuberts & Megan again shortly after this.  (I first saw Peter which made me smile & giggle.)

The race continued onto what is called the "Katy Trail."  I wasn't expecting it, but it was a gravel trail that could probably fit about 4 people across at any given point.  I saw the first man finishing the marathon coming towards me.  He looked like he wasn't having near as much fun as I was, so I was glad not to be the best.  I don't really remember much of the next several miles other than it was on a trail and on the side of a road.  They gave me more Gu at some point also.  Mile 16 was in a parking lot where they took "Super Star Photos" of the runners.  I started getting hungry shortly after that which continued through the entire race.  I think I saw the Neubert car again, and after that was when all the real torture started.

Miles 16-20 were full of hills.  I saw the Neuberts' car gliding effortlessly up the first hill and wishing I could hop in until I got to the top.  After I reached the top of that first hill I said to myself, "Good, I think there was only one big hill in the course so I made it through."  I was wrong.  Everyone was wrong because they all said, "This is the last hill."  There was a hill just before the finish.  The first time I finally had a downhill instead of uphill, I realized uphills didn't seem so bad.  My knees started hurting a lot when I went downhill.  Mile 19 was probably the toughest for me in the whole race.  There was a nice stranger shortly before the 20 mile marker who was handing out pretzels and orange slices, and even though you're not supposed to take food from strangers that orange was amazing!

After about Mile 21, things started getting better.  I think I started picking up the pace again a bit since the hills.  The course went back onto the Katy Trail and along the Missouri River again.  I saw my cheering squad somewhere near Mile 23.  Some of them were laying down at this point, because apparently watching a marathon is just as tiring as running it.  I could see that.  Peter told me that there was some man in bright orange and if I caught him that I would be on pace.  I didn't see him in sight so I just kept running.  There was wind against me so I just tucked my head in and kept running.  Apparently I made the mistake of looking ahead at some point because I saw this man with these spandex pants that were see through at the top and no underwear on.  I am forever scarred by the image of his hairy tush.  I saw the Neubert car & Megan again somewhere around Mile 24.  Megan jogged a short bit with me to cheer me on.  Peter once again told me to catch the mystery man in orange.  I still didn't see him, but he was something to overcome so I kept looking for him.  Eventually I did see him, took his picture from behind, and then passed him.  I also met a girl around my age somewhere near Mile 25.  We both were commenting on how we would never do another marathon again in our lives.  My muscles were doing all sorts of crazy things by this point.  I couldn't tell if I could feel them way too much or if I couldn't feel them at all.  I can't even describe how I was feeling.

The end of the race was so close I could feel it.  I stayed calm though.  I don't think I had the energy to waste on getting excited.  I saw Peter & Megan again and they both started running with me.  Megan branched away at some point.  There was a short uphill which hurt like crazy.  My knees were about to fall out at that point, but I could see the finish.  It was about this point that Peter said he was running my next marathon with me.  All I could do was laugh inside.  Peter said he'd meet me at the finish at the 26 mile mark.  I had to go around a corner and then into the finish chute.  I kept picking up the pace.  Once I got around the corner I felt like I was flying.  I heard my parents and siblings cheering for me on the sidelines.  As I crossed the finish line I didn't know if I should jump for joy or cry, so I just smiled.

The after effects of the marathon involved eating a lot, achy muscles and knees, a black toe, chafing, and the inability to sit comfortably for extended periods of time.  I haven't gone running again yet.  Wednesday was the first day that I was able to go up a flight of stairs.  It took a few days for me to feel this way, but now I want to go running again.

I'm sure you all know this by now, but the most exciting part about running the marathon was the amount of money that was raised for Team World Vision to build water wells in Africa.  We raised $3,095 in all.  They had water in 17 different locations throughout the marathon/half-marathon for all 8,000 people.  When I crossed the finish line, the first thing that happened was someone handed me a bottle of water.  It is just amazing to think that the amount of water that the other runners and I received doesn't compare to the water that the people of Africa will receive over time for all the donations and hard work.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation, cheered me on anywhere along the way these past 18 weeks, ran with me, prayed for me, gave me advice, or just told me to keep going even when it got hard.  All of this could not have been done without you.

Monday: Rest day. After running 20 miles yesterday, I noticed a lot of people were passing me as I walked to class. I guess rest was pretty easy for me to say "Ok" to.

Tuesday: 5 Miles. So my knees were still hurting a lot today and I've been told that the best thing to do would be to not run instead of running. It was really hard for me to not run, but I elected to have another day of rest. Though some of you may find it hard to believe that that was a tough decision, running becomes somewhat addictive. You actually do get a (healthy) "high" from running that actually becomes addictive. It's why marathoners/runners are so crazy in most peoples' eyes. They just don't know what it's like.

Wednesday: 8 Miles. I am very thankful that I took that extended break. My knees just needed that extra day. Did I mention that I experience chafing on Sunday? Yes, well that still needs more time to heal. Running really is not glamorous in case you wanted to know that. Thankfully the Bible says "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" (Romans 10:15) because mine are pretty ugly from a worldly perspective.

Thursday: 4 Miles. Ahh...taper! This is the first time that a Thursday run has ever decreased in mileage! I ran with Laura at CRCE today. (I remembered to make plans this time.) Sadly I didn't get a treadmill with a TV inside of it. Those things are so neat!

Friday: Rest Day. Ok, this really became a cross training day. Laura & I biked for a while & then went roller skating at the Illini Union of all places. It was a special event that one of the college's event boards put on.

Saturday: Cross Train. I elected to make this a rest day since yesterday was work. Getting as much rest as possible on my rest days is becoming essential as the marathon is drawing nearer. Speaking of rest, they say that "highly trained athletes" can have resting heart rates as low as 40, with the average person's being 60-80 beats per minute. Lance Armstrong has a resting heart rate of 32. Mine isn't quite that awesome, but I did get an average of 45! (The lowest was 42, highest was 48.)

Sunday: 12 Miles. (Rainy morning!) I imagine one day when I'm a lot older I will look back at this whole experience and think, "How did I ever run so far?" I have a funny story about today's run! I decided I was going to do a 6 mile loop twice around campus & the south farms. Well, I ended up running on part of a triathalon course in once in the first loop and twice in the second loop! At one point, all of the bikers started coming and I ended up running with one foot in the grass and one foot on the road. Unfortunately the grass was wet from the rain so my new shoes got wet for the first time, and my foot got wet, started itching and gained a new blister. Bummer.

Fundraising update: WE MADE IT TO MY SECOND GOAL OF $2,600!!!!!!! I was so excited when I got the email saying the goal was reached! I immediately thanked God for the work he has done thus far & asked that He would bless all of the donations and put them to good use. Perhaps what I'm about to do might seem a bit like a crazy idea with only 2 weeks left until the marathon, but I believe that we can reach $3,000 by October 3. $400 in 2 weeks. This past week alone we made $385.72, so surely we can get another $400 in two weeks right? After all, I've had several people along the way say they will donate who haven't quite followed through yet. So as soon as I finish typing this, I am resetting the goal to $3,000 far above and beyond my initial expectations. Together, we can make a big difference.

I sent out the following message to the facebook group for this event that I wanted to share with you:

"Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation & for those of you who cannot donate, I appreciate the many prayers & words of encouragement that you have provided for me! All of this wouldn't be possible without any one of you. :)

I did want to mention that offline donations are possible by check if you cannot donate online. Just ask me how!

I ask that you prayerfully consider making a donation on my behalf to Team World Vision. Your money will be going to help put in water wells in Africa. You can visit my page to find out more about this. I was talking with a friend about giving the other day and reminded me of the old phrase, "Give until it hurts." I know that I've been giving so much lately in training that my knees are starting to hurt.

Would you consider giving so that it hurts (just a little bit)?"

Monday: Rest Day. Ugh, I was so sore today after running 18 yesterday. My knees hurt!! And I have blisters!

Tuesday: 5 Miles. I got new shoes today!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Asics Gel Fanatic 5. They're absolutely heaven to my aching feet & knees. They passed the 5 mile test. I ran the first 4 miles with one of my running partner's, Craig, and his friend (whose name I cannot think of for the life of me right now, sorry). The last mile was one more than I've been running on Tuesdays. The mileage is stacking up.

Wednesday: 9 Miles. I ran a 5 mile loop and then a 4 mile loop. It was fun times with my new shoes. I feel like a super hero in these things!

Thursday: 5 Miles. My good friend Laura & I went to CRCE (the gym) again. I like working out with a girl for a change. It makes for good conversation. (Not that I don't have good conversation when I run with guys, but it's different of course.)

Friday: Rest Day. Thank you Lord for rest days!!

Saturday: Cross Training. I drove all the way to Michigan to go meet my newest niece, Chloe, & visit with her family. That didn't count as exercise. So I played catch/fetch/chase with my sister's dog Daisy for a while. I really want a dog now.

Sunday: 14 Miles. I was going to go running at like 6AM, but apparently the sun isn't up that early in Michigan. I went back to bed and vowed to run after church when everyone was napping. Unfortunately I fell asleep too. Upon waking at 5PM, I was forced to run before the sun went down. I scarfed down some enchiladas & homemade tortilla chips upon my return. :) Side note: The men of Michigan were overly friendly today. 5 men honked, whistled, shouted out "Ye-yeah!," and/or waved obnoxiously. It was....encouraging?? haha!

I am mentally preparing for this coming week which is THE toughest week I will ever run during my training! It will be exhausting I'm sure. I am at that big hump in training. My body aches, is tired & hungry, covered in salty-ness, and my feet are pretty gross looking. I'll be visiting a nutritionist (hopefully) this coming week as recommended by my doctor. I can honestly say that I want this to all be done and over with so I can fully recover. I know that if I can just get past this next week I will be set for the marathon. I'm not a quitter & I will not become one!

We are now at 81% of my goal of $2,600. We are now just over $2,000!!!!!!!!! While I was running I came up with a new strategy to try and raise this last $506. If you can donate, please do so now. If you are, for instance, a poor college student with no income, please share a link to my page to your friends & family with a nice message encouraging them to give.

What $2,600 can do: $2,600=1 Traditional Well. In countries like Malawi, a well just 60 feet deep can bring new health and life to a community of 150 people. The well your gift provides will be capable of supplying more than 600 gallons of safe water a day for drinking, bathing, irrigating crops, and watering livestock.