A New PR!

4:03:34

I ran a successful marathon today!  A sub-4 marathon was not in the cards for me, but I am still happy with my time, as it is close to a 19 minute PR.  I'll take that.  It was sort of a tale of two races - 23 miles, and the final 3.2.  The prayer bracelet proved to be a great strategy, though.  I prayed for marriages, both new and seasoned, babies, a friend who is trying to have a baby, nephews, a niece, and faux nephews and nieces.  I prayed that single friends would meet their husbands soon.  I spent the final 5 miles praying for an aunt who has cancer, as well as the sister and mom of two friends that are battling cancer, too.  I said Hail Mary's and Our Fathers and thought to myself (and said out loud a couple of times) - this is so hard.  But I made it through, with a bright, shiny PR (and very sore, beat up legs/feet).'

Thank you to all of my virtual cheerleaders out there!  I thought of you all when I would step on each timing pad, knowing you were getting texts and emails updating you on my status.  It meant a lot that so many were thinking of me, both near and far.

I will share more details in a post tomorrow, with splits and reflections!  Today is about celebrating and basking in the wonder of what my body can accomplish.  I ran 26.2 miles in just over 4 hours and 3 minutes.  That is pretty dang amazing.