Monday, April 30, 2007

Just a quick post!

The real report will be forthcoming, when I get my hands on some pictures and my body is a little less sore ;) but the Diablo Marathon was just amazing!!!!

A Huge thank you to Terry, who stuck with me The whole time even though he's a much better runner :) It was so awesome to get to talk to someone during the race, and even better that I finally got to know a lot more about Terry. He's such a great guy and really made this race for me. I probably might have been able to do it on my own, but it wouldn't have been even close to the great experience it was without a good friend and awesome runner by my side. Thank You!!!!

The race itself was just amazing. The most physically demanding thing I have ever done. It took us 9 hours and 10 minutes (including lots of stopping at aid stations and for photos :D). I have never been active doing something for that long. Ever. And it was just awesome. The views were spectacular (though you had to stop to look, otherwise you'd probably fall, as I almost did a few times!) and the course was just great. The downhills were super scary at times because they were so slippery (one mile downhill took us 36 minutes!!) but the views from the summit were just amazing.

This was the first time I ever seriously doubted my ability to finish a race. The first time I took on something where success wasn't almost guaranteed. I'm a perfectionist and generally like to pick things that I can count on working. This was a whole new ball game. And it was so incredibly rewarding.

There were a million great things about this race, but one of the best had to just be the people. The volunteers, of course, were amazing and just really all around awesome. I got to meet two 'coolrunners' who volunteered: Dirtrunner and Kay, who were super nice. Besides Terry, I also got to see the Zisko family, who I've run into a 2 other races and who are just great (Gail was working an aid station and was very much a friendly face at those points in the race), and Karen, who I had run pirates cove with. It's fun to really feel like I'm becoming part of this community. Sarah and Wendell, of course, were also just so great. Sarah gave me a big hug when I finished and was so genuinely happy for me.

I can't believe it took me over 9 hours to run a marathon.

And I can't wait to try again next year :)



(there are so many details that need to be added, but I'll have to do that later. Rest assured, the whole story is soon to come :) )

10 comments:

Josh said...

Awesome job! I bet it was such a hard course! I am glad you had a great time. All that time on your feet will pay off at TRT in July!

Sarah said...

Great job! I love your enthusiasm and can't wait to read your full report...and see some pics!

RSD_Terry said...

Addy, I have a CD of the pics for you. Let me have your address, so I can stalk you, er, I mean send you the CD. ;-)

I've blogged a few, too. So, you can check those out.

I had a great time. It was interesting sticking with the same person for the entire run. I don't think I've done that before. I'm glad you're good company. ;-)

Kim said...

Good deal!!! Hope you are recovering and looking forward to your race report!

Phil said...

Just your typical marathon with two 4000' climbs. Sort of reminds you of the Houston Marathon.

Great run, must of us would have never stepped over the start line. Looking forward to the pictures.

Meagan said...

Addy- WOW, you did amazing. I would've been too intimidated to sign up for something like this...absolutely awesome of you to take that risk to something that wasnt guarunteed. I'm glad you had a great time, can't wait for the pics!

Catra said...

Hi Addy-
Congrats. girl you did awesome!
Good job hanging in there.
Catra

RSD_Terry said...

The photo cd is in the mail. You should get it tomorrow.

Ryan V. said...

Very cool. Looking forward to the full report!

Norbert Leinfellner said...

Adelyn,
I like your stories and your energy. It seems we do many 2007 races together, such as TRT (I'll do the 50 miler though). Thanks for your blogs, they're nice to read.
Best,
Norbert Leinfellner