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So many things to say. I encountered the entire rainbow of emotions, which doesn't always happen (Thank God), but it's been one hell of a year, so truth be told it was expected.
Like most marathons scheduled this year I didn't expect this one to happen. Since races were being canceled in the eleventh hour I couldn't fully embrace running it until I was actually at the starting line. Also, I struggled with the idea of wanting to run a marathon during a pandemic, especially when the Covid cases exploded after Halloween and Thanksgiving. I was still struggling with back issues, so the idea of a cancelation would have been met with "it was meant to be". Well apparently running the race was meant to be, as both the BCS marathon and Dallas marathon (on the same weekend as this one) were canceled, but this one wasn't. I wasn't feeling as lucky as I should have, that's for sure!
Toby and I flew out the day before the race, with just enough time to hit the expo (outside at a local restaurant), hit a local brewery, then later dinner to-go from a great Italian restaurant near the hotel. We didn't even see Jedonna and Jamie (running the half) until race morning! We dropped them off at their race start on the way to my race start, with both races starting at 7:00 AM. Both races would run almost entirely along coastal Beach Blvd into Biloxi and finish just outside the MGM Ballpark. Toby said he'd see me around mile 8 or so. I told him to bring my water bottle in case they had aid station issues. I had my doubts that they'd be able to find enough volunteers to help out during a pandemic. Since it was going to be a warm and humid run this would be a big issue for me. He couldn't park at the start, so out of the car I went! I spent most of my time in the super long porta potty line, which was fine, as we all had to wear masks and pretty much keep to ourselves. Hearing the National Anthem brought the reality home to me at last. It was happening!
We all crossed the start in small groups spread out, wearing masks, then I took the mask off and wrapped it around my arm for the finish. Finally, relief, great relief came over me. The sunrise was spectacular, and yes it was warm and yes there was a head wind, but the wind actually helped keep me cool. The water stops were amazing. They were spread out every 1.5 to 2 miles and were always fully functional with enthusiastic volunteers. I liked that you could see the next aid station on the horizon. Those early miles were enjoyable. The scenery never got old. It was just beautiful the entire way. I saw Toby and told him all was good. I wasn't sure when I would see him again, but knew that at some point he'd be running with me.
Before too long, maybe mile 16 or so, all of them drove by, screaming and cheering out the windows! They asked if I needed anything, but no, I was good. I put on my happy face, which I told myself to do, even though inside I knew I was having a really tough time physically already. I always try to explain the sensation of simultaneously being in extreme discomfort and total joy in these moments. There's nowhere else you'd rather be, but you want it to end as soon as possible.
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| Happy face! |
Toby was waiting for me at mile 20. Right away I found myself apologizing for the state I was in. At this point my pace had dropped way off, and I had to take walk breaks as well. He tried running in front of me to help block the wind, but I found it annoying. I found myself trying to talk, which wore me out, so I turned my music back on and found a little bit of joy. After all, I was RUNNING WITH TOBY! Ok so it takes him getting hit by a car to run my pace, but still. When I'd do the math and tell him to text the girls waiting at the finish my finishing time he'd tell me to stop it. I was calculating the decline precisely. I was definitely coming in at a personal worst time ever, and I wasn't liking it at all. The final devastating blow was what can only be described as cruel, and that was the course veered onto a highway on ramp, where we ran along highway 110 (I am not kidding). There was a U Turn up ahead, but it was the U Turn for the half! Our U Turn was even further up the freeway! After the U turn we "exited the freeway", and rounded the corner (3 times) to a glorious finish line just outside the ballpark.
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| priceless pics |
Shortly afterwards we all walked to the end of the block and sat on a patio and drank and ate while watching the last finishers get escorted in. A man in an octopus costume greeted the last runner and ran her across the finish line. It was amazing to see. What a GREAT day for all of us!
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| Meeting Anil and Ajay was a highlight for sure |
So I ran my slowest marathon ever in 4:44. My ego has been struggling with it, but then again I'm just so happy I had the chance to run this race! It is one of my favorite races. It's very well ran, even during a pandemic, so I can only imagine how much better this race is in "normal" times. Finishing in the Ball Park and partying (with beer) in the ballpark must be a blast. I'm not sure why they insist on running the last 2 miles on the highway though. Maybe they'll change that in the future. Biloxi is a fun town as well. Run this race if you get a chance!
