The best laid plans don’t always come to fruition – things happen. Sometimes you don’t even know what they are – only that they have impacted you.

I rocked the first half of this marathon, crossing the line at 2:28 – right on target. I never felt all that great while I was running it, though and not too long after that the wheels came off my little wagon in a big way. I felt horrible. Remember how I said Cytomax makes me sick? Well, my little 1 run test drive to see if I could handle it for the race was apparently a case of insufficient data. I got quite ill on this race. I just felt lousy.

A couple of friends came out to Golden Gate Park to cheer me and I looked up at them and said, “I am struggling! I’m really struggling!”. I talked to them for a few minutes and then took off again. Then I felt a little better so that when they went to the other side of the loop we were running and cheered for me again I looked good – I was running. But honestly, I did a lot of walking in the middle. I bargained and cajoled and really tried to pick it up but I just couldn’t do it.

I came in at 5:37 which is my worst time ever. I finished, though and I give myself a lot of credit for that because I really, really, really wanted to borrow someone’s cell phone and just call a cab.

I’ll post more later. Thanks again for you support.

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This post has 25 comments. Add your own.

  1. jeanne

    I’m really sorry you got sick…but you are so right, there are just some things that are OUT of our control.I TOTALLY admire you for sticking it out, feeling ill. I don’t know that I’d have the mental fortitude. You are ONE TOUGH COOKIE, 21cm!I hope at least Dean showed up to run you in!And I hope you can now kick back, relax, and revel, because a) if anyone has ever earned a rest, you have, and b) HOLY SHIT, you just ran a MARATHON!!!!!

    30 Jul 06 at 2:58 pm #
  2. Laurie

    Great job sticking it out and not giving up under less-than-ideal conditions. You still have something to be proud of. I am looking forward to the full race report.

    30 Jul 06 at 3:19 pm #
  3. Rose

    Uh, maybe your slowest time ever, not your “worst.” Considering how you felt, this could be a pretty darn good time. Sticking it out through the rough second half is what the training was all about and you pulled it off! You totally need to celebrate! Great job!

    30 Jul 06 at 3:50 pm #
  4. jkrunning--Just Keep Running

    I am sorry for the cytomax making you sick, but you finished and there is a lot to be proud of in that fact alone.

    30 Jul 06 at 3:50 pm #
  5. a.maria

    i know what it feels like to come in WORSE than a previous race. it sucks, so i feel for you.but you kept going. you kept pushing, and its just one day.i realized that probably too late and beat myself up WAY too much about it. race day is just one day… and sometimes its just not THEE day, you know?you get major points for the mental battle you conquered, and hopefully in a few days you can look back on it and be proud of the accomplishment, regardless of the time it took!

    30 Jul 06 at 3:50 pm #
  6. Dori

    It’s always something when it comes to a marathon. Congratulations for finishing, and frankly, I’d take that time in a heartbeat. I understand your disappointment, but the marathon is not only about how fast we can come in, it’s about the fortitude to get to the finish line. 26.2 is no small feat, so hurray for the 21st Century Mom!

    30 Jul 06 at 4:10 pm #
  7. DawnB

    You did great and stuck it out to the finish!! Girlfriend you didn’t quit. Congratulations!!!

    30 Jul 06 at 6:44 pm #
  8. WADDLER26.2

    You have proven how tough you are! The first half was the toughest course I have ever faced. You not only overcame the course–you overcame the struggle> Kudos to you! Your training and toughness pulled you thru! You are an inspiration.

    30 Jul 06 at 7:09 pm #
  9. Lan

    You finished! It was waaaay hot today–especially going through the Mission. Thank god for that guy with the hose.http://monkeyhead.diaryland.com

    30 Jul 06 at 7:14 pm #
  10. Juls

    I am so sorry that your stomach didn’t behave. But you did it anyhow. That is HUGE. Congratulations!And…the “man”…Did Dean show up to run you in?

    30 Jul 06 at 8:57 pm #
  11. Firefly's Running

    Way to go, girl! You DID IT!! You finished. Don’t feel bad about the time, but still feel awesome that you completed your mission. I hate feeling crappy during the marathon, but you pulled though. I can not wait for pics and the rest of the story.

    30 Jul 06 at 11:51 pm #
  12. Stillwater Heron

    It’s horrible doing anything when you are sick much less run.You gutted it out dispite that and you finished.Now throw the Cytomax out!I’m proud of you and so is everyone else!!Way to hang tough and complete a goal you set for yourself :)

    31 Jul 06 at 3:07 am #
  13. Susan

    You did great Mom! You hung in there and stuck it out and didn’t give up. That’s pretty amazing! Get rid of the Cytomax and give yourself some congratulations!

    31 Jul 06 at 3:45 am #
  14. m

    Great job on finishing. I can’t wait to read the whole race report either.

    31 Jul 06 at 3:48 am #
  15. Lisa

    Bummer that you got sick, but I have such admiration that you stuck with it and finished!!!! There’s always another marathon, so who cares about times?Way to go, girl!!

    31 Jul 06 at 5:30 am #
  16. Stephanie

    Oh no! I can’t believe you got sick. I know that you are upset about that, but I hope you can step back and be proud of your accomplishment. I know how you feel and I also know how it feels to get sick when running and it’s no fun! Your time was really good though and yay for not calling cabs!

    31 Jul 06 at 5:48 am #
  17. Bob

    Sometimes things just happened, you showed alot of guts getting across the line. I am very impressed. Looking forward to the details no matter how gory. :) None of us are gonna win thest things, we do it for the sense of acomplishment, Great job!

    31 Jul 06 at 6:45 am #
  18. Steve

    Don’t you hate it when those things happen? I admire you for sticking it out. In my wildest dreams I couldn’t imagine doing the entire 26.2 at the SFM, let alone doing it sick.You should get TWO Medals !!!!

    31 Jul 06 at 7:55 am #
  19. greyhound

    One of your racers died at mile 23. I daresay your race was better.

    31 Jul 06 at 8:13 am #
  20. Bolder

    you represented!i’ll look for the details later, will there be a race report, a chart, schwag?… somethin’??

    31 Jul 06 at 10:58 am #
  21. Jessica

    Ack – sick?! I am so sorry but also so incredibly proud of you!

    31 Jul 06 at 2:39 pm #
  22. David

    ditto what a.maria said.as my sister says on martha’s vineyard: fog happens. that could apply to san francisco too.i stunk up miami but i still talk about it. i just leave out the part about my time.

    31 Jul 06 at 4:47 pm #
  23. Fe-lady

    Sorry to hear that you aren’t that stoked about your marathon time. Some races just suck and you want to be done with them! Just remember there will always be the opportunity for another one and it will go better!I still say you did great so CONGRATULATIONS!

    31 Jul 06 at 6:29 pm #
  24. neese

    way to push through and finish, that is so fantastic i hope you feel proud now that it has sunk in some that you indeed finished a marathon!! wahoo!!!

    31 Jul 06 at 6:52 pm #
  25. Wanna-be 5k-er

    That is a long time to feel so darn crummy and still get through the marathon. I bet I would have quit–well, I wouldn’t even have entered. Anyway, major props to you for showing such guts despite really tough circumstances. I hope I develop half that much heart as I learn to run.Rest up–and congratulations for finishing a marathon, wow, wow, wow!

    31 Jul 06 at 7:50 pm #

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