I think I'm official

I am now, truly, a marathon mommy. It's like a rite of passage, and I feel extraordinary. Out of body, I can see what a weirdo I am, but I can't help wanting to tell everyone I meet, "Hello. I ran a marathon today." We drove through Carl's Jr. on the way home from Logan, and I really had to bite my lip to keep from saying it, after ordering my Famous Star. Hmmm, should I be embarrassed? Well, I'm not. I want to sing it from the rooftops.

Except already it feels like it's fading to the past. The thrill only lasts so long, and now, sure, I can say I have done it, but I am not feeling it. And it makes me a little sad. I am envious of you guys who have St. George ahead of you. Yay!!

I saw my "Marathon: the Ultimate Guide" as I unpacked and remarked to D (my hubby), "How sad--I'm not going to need my book again for awhile."

"Yep," he replied, "it looks like your love affair with Hal Higdon has come to an end." It's true. I really do love him and his wisdom. I also loved beginning 2/3 of my sentences with, "Hal says..."

So, I posted all the gory details (beware, it's very long) on my personal blog , graceimpaired.blogspot.com, complete with photos, so you can go there if you are interested.

In a nutshell, it was a beautiful marathon, seamlessly run (by the staff, not by me). The weather was ideal, the scenery was enchanting, and the volunteers and crowds were ultra friendly. The course was almost perfect, and I really didn't feel the altitude at all. It was all much, much better than I expected. I even feel great, relatively speaking. I came in around 4:12 (can't find official results online yet!) which was a pleasant surprise for me--quite a bit faster than my long runs have been since the injury. However, I do have one tip to share--it's something I, unfortunately, never heard or read. Here it is:

• while you are slathering your toes and your sports bra line with aquaphor (or vaseline), don't forget a little between your cheeks (and I don't mean the ones on your face). This tip may save you some extreme discomfort. I did an informal poll and the 2 people I talked to who ran today experienced the same problem, so I know it's not just me!! :)

And while I'm at it, I'll mention that I'm excited to be posting on the Marathon Mommies site. Thanks for welcoming me. I love reading, sharing, and being inspired by the women on this blog.