~Wineglass Marathon Weekend in Photos~

In no particular order, because I was too lazy to upload one picture at a time! Here are the pictures of marathon weekend! 

One last picture of me ever remotely having a 6 pack, or close to it.  The only time is when I train for a marathon and who knows when that will happen again! 

The marathon after party at our hotel.  It was lame, but I was exhausted and it was right before I got a massage so I didn't mind. 

The ride home.  Beautiful foliage

Me after the marathon and ready for a long awaited cocktail.  Cupcake Moscato.  

Cheers!  With my Momma! 

Blurry photo of me with the spa sign at the hotel before my massage

Where I got my post marathon massage.  I'd highly recommend doing this by the way. 

The famous glass pressed finisher's "medal"

Again, closer. 

Marathon themed drink specials 

The finish line. aka the best sight ever

A sign that the local shops had in their windows  

Prerace meal.  My go to PIZZA. 

View from Atlas Pizza on Market St in Corning, NY

The marathon signs on each street light in Corning, NY

The Centerway which is a walkway over the Chemung River Basin on the way to the Glass Museum, 

Expo and Pace team

Giant glass pumpkins at the Museum of Glass in Corning, NY where the expo and packet pickup were

On the way in to get the packet and some swag

A maze on the Centerway walkway

Mom and I in the hotel elevator 

On the way to get the packet 

Rainy walk 

Right near the finish 

Another welcome sight anywhere near races of any distance! 

~Wineglass Marathon Race Recap!~

Well, here it is.

Woke up at 5am and had breakfast in the dark while my mom was still sleeping.

Headed down to catch a bus to the start in Bath, NY around 6:20 am and it was FREEZING! It was 32 but the Real Feel was 29.  I caught up with a lot of racers walking over and got in the half marathon line at first, before I realized there was a different line for the FULL and headed over to that. It was quite a hike and standing in line was cold.  We boarded the busses pretty quickly, maybe 15 minutes of waiting, and were on our way.  I sat in the first seat on the bus and another girl sat with me too.  We chatted small talk here and there on the 30 minute ride.  As we got closer I realized her leg was really shaking and she informed me she had to pee.  Okay, no biggie, I did too, but not too bad...yet.  A few minutes passed and she said nothing but "oh my God I have to pee, oh my God, I am not going to make it..."  I said, "oh yes, you will." She said "No, I really won't."  Okay, girl...whatever.  Of course we took a turn and you'd think we were there, but no...we had to stop at each of the two train tracks we crossed which took some time and the worse she got.  We got to the school parking lot by the start and now she's really like "I am NOT going to make it.  I have to go SO bad!" She begs the driver to let her out and he says no and she keeps complaining then looks at me and says "You're going to have a great story to tell your family about the girl who peed in this seat with you."  Great.  Finally, the driver let her out to run to the Portapotties.  Of course I ended up seeing her on the course, but I didn't say anything to her.  Poor girl.

At the start they delayed a few minutes because busses were still on the way over.  There was a heatless tent set up so I huddled with many others in that to try to cut the wind and it was better than nothing.  However, we were all shaking.  The sun started to come out and it got a little better.  I made my way to the start and ended up seeing 4 people I knew, one of which, Ruth, was going to run with me.  She came over, we hugged each other twice and wished each other luck and were off.  I never saw her again after that.

I was VERY emotional during this race.  Literally choking back tears many times.  I felt great for the first miles and started out in the mid 9 min pace.  I was with the 10:18 pace group but quickly passed them.  I was in a really good groove for the first 13.1 miles.  At mile 6.2 I shed two of the 3 long sleeves I had on and instantly the wind picked up and I wish I hadn't.  When the sun was out it was nice, but the wind was brutal.  I felt awesome and definitely felt as though I could do another 13.1.  This continued until around mile 16.  I always tend to make it that far and then slow down.

I made it to 18 before I hated life and wanted to stop and walk-but didn't. There were SO many people walking.  I made it to 20 and figured I had 6 more in me no problem.  I went through some ups and downs until 22.  At 23 I stopped to pee and grab some water to refill my bottle and kept on trucking.  I would walk to fill the bottle but get right back to running.  Made it to 24 and 2 more miles seemed like torture.  I got water again at 24.  By 25 I knew I was going to get this done.  There were a lot of long lonely stretches without any spectators so that stunk but I got through that too.  I downloaded some good new music last night and that helped for sure.  At 25.2 or so the crowds picked back up and all I was thinking was I wish Jona would be up here and run the rest with me and I can't wait to get to my mom at the finish.  I pushed through and the rest was cake.  Made it across the finish line in 4:32!!!!!  a PR!!!!! WHAT!!!??? I couldn't believe it.


~~My original post got cut off and it was SO good, so I will try to remember it the best I can~~

I saw my mom yelling for me right when I crossed the tape and I was so happy yet ready to cry at the same time.  She's my everything and I was so thankful that she was there for me at that moment.

PROS: great course-flat and fast with some great rolling hills-none too challenging, the crowds when there were crowds, the temperature and the fact that there was NO rain, all the great volunteers at the water stops, the amount of water stops and medical tents

CONS: spaces when there were no crowds to cheer us on, the roads next to the highway-seemed so desolate, the cold wind at times, and other than those I can't really say there were any more cons

Overall, it was a great experience and I am SO glad I stuck with it and completed it.  I know that Jona will get one under her belt soon as well-and hopefully it will be somewhere I can make it to cheer her on and run with her a few times to push her through.  Her support behind me really helped.

What's next?  First, a week off of NO running whatsoever.  Second, back to yoga for sure!  Can't wait to take some me time, beau time, and reflection time.

~day three of marathon weekend~

Well here I am sitting in the hotel getting ready to start this 26.2 mile race. I can't believe the day has come. All of my hard work, dedication, early mornings, are about to come together to get me through the next few hours. I feel prepared.

Next time I write will be the recap.

~Day two of marathon weekend~

Woke up at Uncle Bryan's house (which is basically like staying in a 5 star hotel) and we headed out to Corning around 8 am.  We got here two hours later and were able to get an early check-in to our hotel.  It's super nice and comfy.  We got settled and headed over to the expo.  Very small in comparison to Austin Marathon, but it was okay.  Picked up some swag for myself and my love and my dad.  Grabbed some pizza for lunch at Atlas Brick Oven Pizza (it was pretty decent) and headed back to the hotel.  My mom and I both got some pants at the Expo and wanted to try them on before we headed back over in the car to get something for my dad.

We went back and it was MUCH busier, ran in, got what we needed and headed back once again.  I have been taking lots of pics which I plan on sharing, but my cell is weird with my computer so I will do that on Monday.

We came back and I got to enjoy some Netflix Orange is the New Black on my computer and had a quick little nap. We went for a small walk to grab some snacks and take some more pics.

Came back once again and I downloaded and rearranged music on my iPod for tomorrow.  I am going to finish this, take a shower, and get into bed to catch up on episodes of The Voice with my mom and hopefully be out for the count by 9pm.

Hopping on the bus to the start around 6:15/6:30.  A few of you are going to get Chronotrack updates of my times at the 10k point, half point, 20.5, and the end.  They should all be about an hour apart, I hope.

When we stopped at our car a random guy (with a race shirt on-one of the best ones by the way-the shirt, not the guy lol) said hey, you ready to rumble.  To which I said, phst, ready as I'll ever be.

~Day one of marathon weekend~

I can't believe it's Friday of marathon weekend!  I have been waiting for this since I registered in December!!  12/8/14 to be exact!  It's been a long time coming and to be honest I really can't wait until it's over.

I am going to document the weekend as best I can.

I decided to take a mental health day from work today to pack and get mentally prepared before my mom and I head out.  I am going to drop by school real quick around 1:45 to pick up the work my students (hopefully) did today, so I can bring it with me and grade it at my Uncle Bryan's and/or the hotel in Corning.

My mom and I will head out to Syracuse around 3 to go to my Uncle Bryan's for the night and then head out to Corning bright and early Saturday.  The plan is to hit up the Expo, get comfy in the hotel and scope out the town a little bit.  I am hoping for some good pizza at my uncles and will probably grab some more for my pre race meal Saturday night.

I am getting nervous/excited!  Can't wait to send you updates.

~I couldn't make this stuff up!~

During my last longest distance run the other day...8 miles...I was having a really rough time.  I was cramping up and it was just plain hard for me.  I don't run with my phone/camera because it's HUGE, but I came upon something and I really wish I had it.  I will have to paint a word picture for you.

I was coming upon these two people on the sidewalk up ahead of me.  One was in an electric wheelchair with an oxygen tank on the back and the other was on a bicycle.  Well, I think the one on the bike might have been intoxicated...I mean, it WAS 7 am and everything...Wha??  He looked over at the wheelchair guy and tumbled over on his bike.  Hilarious.  BUT the best part was the guy in the wheelchair gets up and WALKS over to him and tries to help him up!!!!!!  WALKS!!!!  Ugh my town is so scummy...anyway, it was funny and gave me a jolt for about .5 miles and then it was back to a bad run...oh well...so many sights to see...so little time.