What was I thinking!

What a beautiful morning in paradise. 3:30 am Phil and I are off to Ala Moana and Queen Street – the starting point of the Honolulu Marathon. As the name indicates, this is a 26.2xxx mile long race. My first and Phil’s third. So what was I thinking of those many months ago when I first stated my intent to try this “fun” event out for myself? This decision made in the face of many proofs that a race of this length is painful – bruised and blistered feet, blistered toes, lost toenails and many not so obvious injuries to muscles, ligaments and joints.
I’ve stated many times in answer to the question that I was looking for motivation to exercise more – and this did work. But at least a part of the reason has to do with Phil’s description of his experiences, the total circus atmosphere, the people that run, the volunteers and those along the road that take time to provide a little sustenance and many cheers as everyone goes by. At about mile 15 I told Phil that I just had to rest a few minutes, so we stopped along Hawaii Kai and sat in a shaded area. There was a man with a cooler in the parking lot who came over to ask if we were OK. He had water, gator aid, and even ibuprofen for any who were in need. No connection with the event – just a kind and generous soul along the way. We saw this many times along the way – awesome people.
What was it like for a first time marathoner? It was horrible, wonderful, painful, triumphant, humbling and much that can’t be described without more time to get over the pain. I think of the discouragement of Kalanianiole Hwy and its interminable length – seeing all those runners stretched out ahead of me and recognizing that I have to get way up there before I pass the halfway mark. And seeing also all the runners far ahead of me already running back the way I had already been toward the finish line. It was a temptation to just step to the other side and go with them. Do you have any idea of how painful feet can get? If I had to put a word to why I felt so tired it would have to be “discouraged.” Seeing all those people ahead and knowing that to get to the finish line I would have to go all the way to where they were and then about 12 miles more. But that kind soul along the way and my loving husband (his feet were blistered already) gave me the courage to keep on going. So we got up and kept putting one foot in front of the other. Back on the interminable road I decided to put my head down and just keep walking. The pain was still there but unless something broke I was going to keep on going.
I could probably make a lot Christian applications from some of this, but I’ll leave that to you and give a few stats from the race.

Youngest finisher – 7 (finished 14 out of 47 in her category 7 to 14)
Oldest finisher – 88 (finished 1 of 1 in her category)
Shortest time – 2:13 (elite)
Longest time – 15:40:28 (and this wasn't the 88 year old!)
Costumes – here are a few:

• Japanese Samurai - ran in clogs (I believe he finished way before us!)
• Bride & Groom costume (it could have been the real thing)
• Old person costume (whoops – think that was me!)
• Robot-type costumed character carrying a raygun
• Supergirl and many other weird and wonderful sights.

It's funny but a couple of things stand out (other than the pain). One is sloshing through the detritus of cups & water left by the faster runners. The other is the sound of all those thousands of feet hitting the pavement - not loud or intrusive, but there through most of the marathon. This is written a few days after and Phil and I are almost back to "normal." We haven't received any pictures from the marathon yet but will share a few when we receive them.