I am going to give a race report and try really hard to NOT sound like I'm complaining. Actually, I'm not complaining. I finished my first marathon in two years. I got to run my favorite - well, okay second favorite - marathon course out there. So, I'm not complaining, okay? Let's just start with the facts that might be misunderstood as excuses or complaining:
1) 2 years since my last marathon after 2 bad ankle sprains.
2) Very painful sciatica that I can't seem to kick.
3) Really bad chest and head cold 3 weeks before marathon causing me to miss 2 weeks of training in a row and one of my 20 milers.
Okay, now that they are out of the way... Go ahead, say it... ' That Emily always making excuses.' Fine, call them what you want. However, I consider the race to be a success and my time to be a giant failure (for me, for me!). Here's what happened:
I ran strong the first 17-ish miles. Well, by 'strong' I mean my modified slower pace taking into consideration my recent chest cold. I backed off a bit looking for my parents in the crowd at 18 and really started to suffer. My sciatica was limiting my range of motion in my left leg and I was shuffling it. By the way, shuffling=friction=slow. So I did that for a good five miles at least. By the time I hit the park I was wishing for a sniper to get me. My shuffle turned into a one leg shuffle-hop. It hurt. It was a sharp pain up my back, down my leg and into my pelvic area for about 6 miles. And then it was over.
I had fun hanging out with my parents and running the race - even with the pain. So, no regrets. We'll make some adjustments and go for the PR next race. In the meantime, I have an acupuncture appointment on Wednesday. I'll let you know how that goes.
Congrats to everyone who raced. Thank you everyone who cheered. NYC is a good time.
