I had some high hopes for this race. Despite the last month of lack luster training due to loss of mojo I had finally started feeling better and like I was getting it back. I even woke up with NO heel pain from PF (I had a touch, but nothing horrible or to even mention honestly) so, I knew this was going to be a great day.
I got the kids up (4:10AM!) and drove to my mom's home to drop off kids and pick up my sisters. We were a little late leaving their homes, but I was grateful when we got there with 20+ min to spare. Enough for a pop stop and a little jog to warm up the legs and lungs.
Took a gu a few min after they said "10 min to start" then found Paul and lined up near the front! I was going to do this!! Things were going wonderfully until mile 2.5ish (I have splits, but as you'll see have yet had the motivation to get off my butt and remember when I am off my butt to get the garmin and plug it in. Also, I was in biking mode the first .41ish of the run and had to change it while running - stopped it instead of lapped it at mile 1 - the list goes on and on...so I know I'm not getting much out of it anyway).
As I got to 2.5ish within about 3 steps I encountered SEVERE heel pain. I felt like my fascia was going to rip off the bottom of my heel. I finally stopped after mile 3ish and stretched about 10 seconds to see if that would help. It did a little. I was SO ready to hit the parade route after stopping 2 more times to stretch. I knew it would take my mind off the horrible pain.
No such luck! I was SO depressed that they turned us early this year (first time in my 5 runnings of this race) on 300E. I whined inside my head the whole time "why did you take away my parade route! That is my favorite part! Where are we going now? I want my parade route back!!" I guess it kind of got my mind off my aching R quad from running one legged to try and take the pressure off my L heel - and the L foot pain. Then, we merged back in on like 700S and I could see the runners going up 900S, so I knew we were finally back on the right course.
I finished off the race and did what I could. Around mile 4 or 5 I'd determined this heel thing wasn't going away and that I needed to change my goals to just finishing in the best time I'd be given in this situation on this day. People had been passing me like crazy the whole race and it kind of broke my spirit, but I did my best given the circumstances.
I finished and was surprised to see the clock only at 44:15ish, I thought for sure I was more like 48+...but due to garmin issues I had no real idea where I was! I had to wait for final official results to see my finish time. I know on a good day I could've pulled a 42:xx here, but it wasn't today. I will have another day, there will always be another race.
After my finish I walked back to run in with my kids doing the 5K. My 8 yr old came in first and I ran the last .5ish in with him, then walked back and saw my 11 yr old daughter coming. Ran her in, turned and walked back for my 5 yr old and he was with grandma and the baby in the stroller. Then, I ran him in and waited for the stroller crew just behind us. I was SO proud of my 8 yr old! It isn't timed, but I think he probably ran under 30 min and he was the first finisher from the family with his 'twin cousin' just 10 feet behind. When I was waiting for him I said "C'mon David!!" (not wanting to walk/run any further than necessary) and the whole crowd around me started cheering "YAY David! You can do it David!" It really energized him! The crowd really supported the cute little guy running his heart out at the end. The same thing happened with each of my kids and it was amazing how it energized them! Yup, we get a lot from the crowd!!
After we got settled near the marathon finish line I finally hobbled over to the med tent and got an ice bag and an ace bandage. I sat there and got to watch the awesome first finishers come in and congratulate them! I love knowing all the cool fast people :) I sat and waited for Becca, as the clock ticked on I got more and more guilt. I'd told her I'd run back a few miles and run her in. She was going past her goal time and I just started crying! I felt SO bad, she was running along having a hard time and waiting and looking for me and never seeing me. I was broken at the finish. I was probably feeling bad for myself too...but it was a mixed bag.
I finally saw Becca come in and I just started bawling again. I was happy to finally see her and to see her finish! We all sat and chatted for a while, but when I had the stroller I felt like I was in the way, so I noticed the massage line was gone...I went and got one. I had them work just on my calf to try and release my heel a bit. Even though it didn't seem to work, it felt good either way :) Becca shortly came and joined in and bye-wing and her family left.
I had to sit and wait for my mom and bye-wing to bring car seats to me and Becca was nice enough to go on the wild goose chase for the bus and sit and wait and drag car seats and kids on the bus to get back to my car! AFTER she'd finished a marathon!! Between me gimping around and her post-marathon legs and 4 kids I'm sure we were a good side show :)
We ended up at Einsteins and then chatting in the parking lot for a while, it was wonderful! I finally got home and crashed. I was SOOO tired and exhausted. My older boys didn't sleep, but the rest of us did. Then...I woke up.
Even before I put my feet on the ground I wanted to cry. My little foot pain was HORRIBLE. I was zero weight bearing and I spent the next hour crying and bawling as I tried to shower and get ready for my nephew's baptism. I also had my 4 kids to get ready too. It wasn't pretty...at all. I grabbed my grandma's cane to help me be mobile. I can walk on the ball of my foot...but that is all. No heel weight. Craig finally got home and helped me pack up and get off. We were only 20 minutes late. Luckily, my family loves me and waited patiently for me. I tried to just sit and relax the rest of the night, but kept watching the clock waiting for my motrin shot again.
After dinner and fireworks it was again 11PM and I was taking my niece to the airport at 4:20AM. Another night of no sleep. I couldn't wait until 8:30 to call the doctors office. | 
