Oi. I woke up this morning feeling as though I’d aged 60 years overnight. You’d think, after running a marathon, that it’d be the best sleep you’ll ever have, right? Nope. Instead, you wake up every couple of hours with your hips aching, wondering why, for the hundredth time that weekend, you ever decided upon such a drawn-out form of self-inflicted torture?

It’s worth it, don’t get me wrong! There’s nothing that gives me that feeling of accomplishment like crossing this finish line after 26.2 miles of running. When you’re physically exhausted, emotionally spent, and you can say “I DID IT!!” That makes it worth it. After finishing you proceed on to receive your finisher’s medal, and this year I intentionally picked the line with the only female Marine in sight handing out medals. When she read my shirt (see below), she hugged me and told me to thank my brother and then thanked ME for running, and I cried. It was one of those moments that didn’t really make sense- here she was, serving her country, and all I did was run a dumb race. But of the past three marathons I’ve run, that was my single most favorite moment!

As always, lessons learned/events that transpired over the last week weekend:

  • I saw Samwise Gamgee aka Rudy!! Sean Astin ran the marathon this year and he was at the finish line, talking with the announcer guy. And like an idiot, as I’m running the last 1/10th of a mile, I found myself shouting “RUUUUDY!” It worked- he looked over at me, gave me a sarcastic smile, then kept on talking. You know, as if he hadn’t heard that exact same thing shouted at him every day since 1993.
  • Also a high point: finding $60 between miles 8 and 9. I saw a $20 on the ground, picked it up with a smile, then opened it to find it was actually three $20 bills. I felt really bad for whoever dropped it, but since I didn’t see whoever dropped it, there was no way to return it to its owner aside from shouting “HEY! WHO JUST LOST SIXTY DOLLARS?” So I just bought lunch for me, Matt, and my parents afterwards. Win!
  • We finished 15 minutes faster than our previous marathon! Yaaay for PRs!
  • There comes a point during marathons when some people hit what we refer to as “the wall.” Totally devoid of energy, completely spent. I hit it the first year, my dad hit it this year at around mile 25. I asked “do you want me to talk to you? Or just shut up?” “Just shut up.” Duly noted, Dad. 🙂
  • I’ve discovered the best race-course snack for when you just need a shot of sugar: Starburst! Specifically, the watermelon ones from the FaveReds bag.

Hey look! Some iPhone pictures!

Marine Corps Marathon 2014- Abby Grace

Right before the race began, several Marine paratroopers (I think that’s the right term?) jumped out of planes overhead, and as they were falling back to Earth, unrolled a ginormous flag. It was awesome!

Marine Corps Marathon 2014- Abby Grace

Aaand this was pretty much our view for the entirety of the race. Running through Georgetown is always one of my favorite parts :).

Marine Corps Marathon 2014- Abby Grace

DONE. Or, as Fat Amy would say, “Crushed it.”

Marine Corps Marathon 2014- Abby GraceHappy Monday, folks!

Monday Mash-Up

October 27, 2014

  1. Mary says:

    Way to go, girl!!! Such an amazing accomplishment and so sweet that you did it with your Dad!! Your brother must be so proud. 🙂 Rest up!! xo

  2. Jean says:

    you and my son-in-law are just so awesome!

  3. Shalese says:

    I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT!!!! You and your dad are amazing!

  4. Morgan Danner says:

    You guys are AMAZING!!! Congratulations!! Crushed it 🙂

  5. I was driving over the 395 bridge on my way to a shoot when the flag was descending. I stopped and prayed for you guys. 🙂 Pretty spectacular way to start the morning!!!

  6. Dad says:

    The best part was being done

  7. Your dad’s blog comment is the best haha. Congratulations!

  8. Alicia says:

    This is pretty incredible, Abby! So proud of you and your dad — and of course, thank you to your brother for serving!! But what was more exciting… finding $60 or finishing with a PR?! hahah

  9. Karen Field-aka Mom says:

    I’m so proud of both of you! And Personal Bests by 15 minutes! you both rock!

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