No Haste In The Race

Back in New Hampshire

I'm still sore but I'm back home in New Hampshire. Thank you to Team Ortho and the many amazing volunteers for such a well organized race.  Thanks also to the many marathoners who cheered me on as they passed me. To the wonderful volunteer at the water stop at Mile 10 who confidently told the small group of us  (the walking dead)   "OK, you've got this! You are definitely finishing this race...you've got this in the bag!!"  I believed you and repeated your words in my head many times. THANK-YOU!
 

Done!

I am met at the finish line by Kay and Jerry.  Jerry offers me his bottle of Coke Zero and I grab it. Volunteers offer me a bag of food, but I just want to sit down.

A beautiful course and a tough race.  And a gorgeous stained glass medal to remember the event.

 

Mile 11

I am OK but too hot for more posts.  I just want to concentrate on getting to the finish line.  It's now in the low 80s...no wind, just sun. This is the hardest finish I've had to a race so far.  And much of the last 2 miles is uphill.

So, for the last two miles I walk for about 5 minutes,  stop for 20 seconds, and then walk for another five. I'm not out of breath, it's just so hot.  

When I reach Mile 12  I briefly consider stopping, but I couldn't, as I know I'll regret it tomorrow.  I have more than an hour left to reach the finish line before the race officially ends at 1:00pm.  I can do this.

 

Headed back to the finish line

Mile 9

I'm continuing down West River Parkway. I will soon reach the Half Marathon turn around point. Fortunately, it's not the half way point in the race...we're much further along.

Just got my first high five from another marathoner and an older gentleman saluted me.  Both very motivating!

It's very warm. I called Joe to tell him not to worry..I am drinking lots of fluids, but now I'm starting to feel nauseous from drinking so much.  Hey, I'm now a REAL marathoner!

Mile 8: Like a Beacon

It's starting to get really warm on the course. Temps in the upper 70s. I'm making sure I'm drinking plenty of fluids.

Mile 7

 

Rivers everywhere!

 

6.3 miles

I had a little bit of trouble with the course at this point because it's also near the finish line.  The first of the half marathoners are crossing the finish line now and the area is packed with spectators. I'm not really sure where I'm supposed to be. Fortunately, Google Maps easily located West River Parkway and I'm once again on the course. 

Lauri had to bow out of the race at Mile 5.  It was a pleasure meeting you Lauri.

Mobile Mile 5

 

Before Lauri and I could get to Mile Marker 5, one of the race volunteers picked it up and started loading it into his van. I guess I looked pretty perplexed, because he put Mile Marker 5 back.  A nice guy.