What a day!

I actually hesitated posting this here but I really do want to share my happiness with you all.  This board is a place to share our sadness and fears, our concerns and our anger.  I hope there is also room for happiness and hope. I know I was looking for stories like this when I was diagnosed.

Three years ago I was scared, sick and bald.  I still have fear and I do have side effects - long and short term (though mine are very manageable).  But I have done more in the past three years than I would have ever thought possible - and frankly,though I will never be grateful for cancer, I probably never would have. 

On Sunday I ran a marathon (30 mins faster than last year's marathon - which was my first) and Joe and I renewed our vows at the finish line in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by our kids and many of our friends (and a few strangers). 

And this Sunday (one week later) Joe and I are headed out to do another marathon in Syracuse so I can reach Marathon Maniac status. 

Here is my blog and some pictures...

Winner at the marathon (not OF THE marathon)

I married my best friend, Elvis sang to me and I PR'd in a marathon - all before 2pm!

My training plan was intense  (Runner's world 4 hour or bust)  - lots of miles (I hit 1,000 for the year at mile 24 yesterday - which was my goal for this YEAR!), lots of long runs with speed mixed in which was kind of cool.  Toward the end of training I was having trouble keeping up with the speed work so I knew I wasn't going to hit 4:00 and was OK with that (this time).

I checked out some race pace predictors last week and all had me finishing between 4:28-4:32.  I was hoping for 4:15-4:20.

I felt STRONG for the first 10 miles and was at an overall 8:40 pace.  Was still talking and smiling. I ran with one of my girls, Bri, (not my daughter but may as well be) who didn't even train, if she had she would have lost me at mile 3.  It was getting hot and we decided to walk through water stops from that point on.  Time suffered a little but with so much in the bank, I was ok with it.  I purposely went out for positive splits thinking the heat and the 20 mile wall would get to me (which it did). 

mile 10

I PR'd on the half at 1:58 and was feeling good.  Felt good right up until about 20 where I saw my friend, Bobbi (gave her a gross sweaty hug).  Decided to haul in the big guns and fuel with a NEW Clif gel.  It didn't sit well, maybe nothing would have but the last 6 were not good.  I kept moving forward, watching my overall pace go from a 9:29 at mile 20 to a 9:40 at mile 23.  Took the watch off and gave it to my friend, Jeff, at that point. 

Final time - 4:24.  Oddly when I came through the chute, the volunteers had to stop me, I didn't realize I was done and just kept running!  Jeesh - finally hit my stride!

Then I had just over 30 minutes to pull it together and get ready for a wedding.  I had done some research on other marathon weddings and found most people had stopped along the way, got married, and then finished.  Hmmmm - wonder why?  Could it be because they knew something I didn't? 

Had a brief moment of panic when I started wheezing and couldn't breathe and started to head to the medic booth but it eased up and I just couldn't talk much for awhile.  I was still feeling sick and extremely woozy but there was a wedding to get ready for!

(Notice I am leaning on the wall)

My girls helped dress me (step in lace tank top, pull off sweaty "Here Comes the Bride" tank, lift up foot, put garter on, veil, a few baby wipes and a swipe of deoderant - good to go!) and Elvis gave the band a break so we could hear what we were agreeing to (even though we have been married 20 years and this is our 3rd wedding to eachother- one can never be too safe).  Elvis then serenaded us with "Love Me Tender" while our friends and family blew bubbles and we danced. 

Sun burnt, sick, weak and tired...I couldn't stop smiling (and crying). 

Best.damn.day.ever.

....and Syracuse is in less than a week...