A Marathon and an Ultra Wrapped in One

I finished my first marathon on Saturday. According to my watch, it was 28.56 miles, so it was more of a 50K than a marathon, but who's counting? It went well, despite my not-so-great training. Running at sea level is a wholly different experience and one that I prefer almost anytime. It helped that we had an amazing support crew in Vivian and Rebecca. Vivian drove us, cooked for us, anticipated what we needed, while Rebecca flitted about, filling bottles, delivering food and drink and just being amazing. Maria finished her first (and possibly only) 50-miler with a smile on her face. I introduced my crew to Orly and Kathy (Hundo and Babe), who also finished the 50-miler. The weather was wicked humid and unseasonably warm, which beat us down on the second loop. But, it was uplifting to see friends along the way during the out and backs, that it was hard to contemplate quitting (which I never did). I am planning to tackle this one again next year because the loops aren't too long or awful and it's just an all-ou good time. Photo: Vivian, Maria, me and Rebecca