i might be wrong

IMG_2436, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

Yep, that's the back of me (in the blue jacket), coming into the finish line. Today I can say eat my dust to the girl in black behind me. Yesterday, I was unable to form a sentence that didn't include the words "Oh" and "Shit". That's what i said over and over again after I crossed the finish line. I said it to myself. I said it to the girl in black before I gave her a hug. I said it to the woman who put the medal around my neck. I even said it to my future mother-in-law.

I could not have run 26.2 miles without the support and love of Clay. I mean, he was there with me from the beginning. He supported me and made me get out of bed to run on cold weekend mornings when I didn't feel like it. He fed me good food and loved me even when I was surly and bitchy. He yelled "WOO!" when he saw me at Mile 7. That "WOO" made me smile all the way to Mile 13 when I saw him again. Clay yelling "WOO" is funny to me. I love Clay.

And then there was Sonia, Clay's Mom, Andrea, Clay's Aunt and Sheena, Clay's sister. They came in from New York, stood in the cold and rain to cheer me on. They walked 6.7 miles yesterday to catch me at points along the course. They say they had a good time doing it. I love those people. At Mile 13, they all yelled for me in unison telling me to "Go" and that I can do it. A woman who was running near me said, "That was awesome. Go Tammi!" I smiled and told her, "I love those people. Each and every one of them. They are awesome."

And Dorla and Kevin were there, too. They too, got up early in the morning, braving the cold and the rain and the wind, walked 6.7 miles, all to cheer me on along the course. I will never forget coming up Chestnut Street and spotting Dorla's bright green ski jacket. I saw her and ran right for her to give her a big hug. She looked so happy. I was so focused on her and the family that I missed giving Kevin his hug, but I couldn't leave him out. I ran back to squeeze him and then I could go. That was at Mile 7. They were there at Mile 13, too yelling "Go Tammi". Dorla ran along and we waved at each other. She had the biggest smile on her face. That carried me to happily to Mile 14 where, to my surprise 3 of my co-workers were waiting for me.

I knew they were coming but I thought I'd see them at Mile 15 or so. They saw me before I saw them. They had signs! It was awesome. I stopped and chatted with them for a bit. Abbey, Kim and Debra have all run marathons before so they're first question was, "How do you feel."

"I feel great," I told them. I was all smiles. I was so happy and I felt really strong. I felt like I could get the thing done and I was kicking ass. They snapped some pictures and told me to go, so I went.

I was running along feeling fine until the wall jumped out at me at Mile 21. I crashed into it but dug into the Gu reserves and soldiered on. Miles 21 to 23 were the hardest 2 miles I've ever run in my life. I walked part of 21 and part of 23. They were long and lonely and endless. But I made it through. By the time I got to Mile 25, there like angels, were Kim, Deb and Abbey again. They yelled "Go Tammi" I yelled "It hurts". Kim yelled, "I know." That made me laugh and gave me the strength to go on.

I only had to go about a half mile more and there was Kevin! He was scouting out to see how far away I was. Another angel who gave me strength to keep going. To keep running and not to stop and walk. "You can do a mile and a half more," I kept telling myself. The end of the course was a nasty uphill. I grunted up the hill and cursed and told myself to keep going. I could see the finish line. I really was almost there. Once I got up that hill, I saw the family again. They looked happy and excited and that got me happy and excited. It gave me the power I needed to pick it up a little and finish the damned thing. And I did it! I finished my first marathon. And yes, I do want to run another one and I will!

And you know what else? I came in to work to find my office decorated with balloons, flowers, candy, a new plant, and signs congratulating me. When I came in, Abbey played the theme from Rocky. I feel like I won.

26.2 in 4:36:58 - Not bad for my first time.

Thanks for the pictures, babe.