Christine’s Race Report

“Challenges are what make life interesting,
Over coming them is what makes life meaningful”.

Check “Run a Marathon” off my bucket list. It is also one I will do again, especially the St. Jude Marathon. Race day started out a cold 30 degrees and windy. Team “Running on Faith” (Tim, Marcelo, Louise, Dara and myself) all dressed for the occasion: Warm. In this race every mile has some sort of entertainment for the runners, so when the announcer for the start of the race sounded like Larry the Cable guy I was ready. No, it was not Larry the Cable guy—still ready. Anyway, I was excited. After 5 months of training it was finally race day. After crossing the starting line, the first thing we felt was a big gust of cold wind. I already could not feel my hands or feet. Not feeling the feet I looked at as a good thing. I knew I would feel them later.

By mile 2 Tim was already visiting Mr. Port-a-Potty and the course was started to get decorated with discarded clothing. In my opinion it was not a good idea. It was cold and they might need those items later. By mile four the gloves came off and I could feel my toes. Then the biggest hill of the race, ha! It didn’t get me. My training on the Crawfish overpass worked fine.

Around mile 5 or 6, Louise caught up with us, and we ran with her until it was time for a visit to Mr. Port-a Potty. Things were running along and the course was beautiful. Then around mile 11 or 12, the injured knee starting coming into play. See about 5 weeks ago I tore my meniscus. I found out that I could still run on it, but I would have to work through the pain. It was not bad at this point and the 13.1 mile point hit. Yeah!!! I have made it half way. Well this is when the course gets empty, and I was very grateful for Tim running this race with me.

From here on out it was run-walk to preserve the knee. Tim and I were giving each other high fives at each mile. I was very happy to see mile 20. Now I only had 6 more miles to go. I was so glad that I did not have the cramping muscle problems other people were having thanks to trainer Tim and his salt tablets and shock blocks. But the knee pain started to wear on me and the pain was at its worse at mile 22. I was ready to burst into tears when I looked up to see a sign that said “Smile, Jake always did”. So I quit my whining to myself and moved on. We were counting down the miles and trying to say encouraging things to other people who were walking. Note to self: never talk to a speed walker in a Marathon, very crabby. Also, always suck it up and really pass the guy in the green shorts. He was worse than a bad driver on the interstate.

Tim was my rock for the last 4 miles. I was determined to finish and not finish last. Please Lord don’t let me finish last. Yes, that was one of my prayers. Tim and I were high five’n each other as well as a Mime and people with beer. Then we saw the Auto Zone baseball stadium which was the finish. We started running until we got to a major ramp into stadium. Sorry, I could not run this so I walked up it hand in hand with my husband. Once at the top, it was time to run it in. Tim and I crossed the finish line together. I would not have had my first marathon finish any other way than with my husband and a team that raised over $6,000.00 for St. Jude.

Thanks to everyone for your donations and prayers. Both have made the difference in someone’s life. God bless you all.

A special thanks goes out to my loving husband who has inspired me to do so many things in my life and has taught me to embrace a challenge and live life like there is no tomorrow. I love you, Tim.

P.S. Expect to hear from me next year for donations and prayers because the team has decided to stay together for next year’s race. So if you want to run the 5k, ½ or full marathon let me know.

Tags: heroes, marathon, running, running on faith, St Jude Marathon