Cleveland report in pictures (and more words)

First, thank you for all your kind and supportive comments on my last post!  It has helped me so much over the past few days.  I'm feeling a lot better today, only pain remaining is in my left hip, quads, and shins.  With the gorgeous weather and my week off from work I am itching to be outside so I hope to be able to get an easy run tomorrow.  

In my rush to post my race report I realized that in the last post I 1) misspelled/used incorrect grammar 2) did not give a complete story of my race day experience.  

Race day brought some cooler temperatures to the Cleveland area. Morning temps were in the mid to upper 40's.  The day topped out around mid 50's  What I consider ideal racing temps!

I'm all sorts of squinty goodness here.  I must have been REALLY excited.  Actually I was just nervous/anxious/unsure and I feel like a dork when taking a picture by myself!

Only my hubbie was at the start and I lost him as soon as I lined up next to the 4:15 pace group. It was a little chaotic since there were no barricades between the racers and the spectators. Where I lined up I found myself surrounded my the red bibs that were half marathoners.  I found a couple people wearing Chicago race gear and tried to soak in the cool morning while listening to pieces of conversations happening around me.  

Shot of my view before the start.  

Yes, I have some strange looking form here just before mile 13.  Jacob took the picture just as I finished high fiveing my friend Rachel (jumping in the background). I love this picture though because of the people cheering - it's my 2nd family  My bestie and her parents and sister.  My sister is there but hidden.  They made signs (I've never had anyone make a sign for me!) that said Run Booger Run and something else I couldn't read because I zoned out and saw it too late.

Apparently I decided to dress in the ROY section of ROYGBIV. Red/White shoes, orange shirt, yellow headband.  I wanted others to see me coming!

This is around mile 23.  I was HURTING and had just resumed my running.  Around 21 I had texted my hubbie saying I wasn't doing well.  Hubbie, Sister, and BIL surprised me at 23!  My sister handed me the oranges I forgot to take at the halfway point.   I was so out of it I couldn't get them out of the bag.  She took them back to help a sister out :) I am extremely grateful I had support and someone to run with me.  Loo told me funny stories and talked while I grunted in response or said nothing at all.  Plus she was able to get me back on pace.  And is the only girl I know that could get picked up at mile 25.75 of a marathon. (The skinny long legs and boobs I was not blessed with help) Thanks Loo - You're the best!!!

The rest of the race I zoned out.  My SSIL and SS jumped in around 24 or just after.  Since they had run the 10K they knew what the race of the course held for me so they helped by telling what was ahead or how much longer I had on a specific streets.  It helped a lot to just have others around me I knew even if I didn't talk to them.  

I finished in a sprint mostly to get away from creepy guy, took a bunch of food and tried to find the family.  Once I found my sisters we took a picture together at the CNN tent then I was on a (slow) mission to find the beer tent :)

Enjoying my free post race beer by Lake Erie.  I was laughing because only in Ohio would they have miller lite in a can for your post race enjoyment.  Love it!  All my family found me at this point and we sat around laughing and telling stories.  

The "swag"  Really the shirt doesn't look as obnoxious in the picture as it does in reality.  No worries, I will still be wearing it on my runs.  I don't have a problem with obnoxious colors.  

I didn't take a lot of pictures and not really sure why.  Normally I am crazy picture taker.  My SSIL (step sister in law) has a lot more, like ones that include my actual family, and I hope to have copies by the end of the week. 

Maggie felt left out of all the race hoopla so I let her "borrow" my medal.  Actually as soon as I took the picture she decided it would be more fun to try to eat it.  

A few thoughts post race...

• Always put chapstick in your pocket.  My lips are nice and wind/sun burned.  The one piece of skin I forgot to cover race day and am regretting I did every few seconds.  
  
• Good beer, excellent margaritas, and supportive family and friends (and RBFs!) who make you laugh/are there for you with a kind word will cure any heartache and make you remember what is important.
• I enjoyed getting others excited by running this race - maybe not in that they will go for a run but that they support the community.  My SB (step brother) wasn't looking forward to the race and didn't see the point or fun in watching runners.  Afterwards at lunch he said he couldn't believe how much fun and motivating it was watching family and strangers.  He had stories of people running Sunday and was asking tons of questions.  I loved every second of telling stories and sharing my experiences! 
• Wright socks were not my friends this race.  I have 2 of the largest blisters on the outside of each big toe.  I have had bad blisters during training but nothing like this after a race where it wasn't wet and with socks that promise no blisters...  onwards to find my perfect sock.
• I need to expand my horizons when it comes to fuel during the race.  I am not handling the GU this year and this marathon reinforced that issue.  Recommend your race fuel - how are the shot blocks?  flavors?  I saw something about GU gushers - anyone tried?  I can't chew luna moons or sport beans, takes too much effort/jaw hurts.  
• Thinking about new race training plan.  Any suggestions?  Anyone want to help me?  I am open to anything but I have a unique travel schedule that changes weekly.