Done & Done

The 33rd Annual Marine Corps Marathon in one word: INSPIRATIONAL.

The good news is it's about 72 hours later and I can walk again. Forget about making it downstairs gracefully, but yes I am walking.

Unfortunately I can't possibly summarize the MCM in just one blog entry. Too many awesome memories to remember. But I will try my best to summarize the highlights.

Here are all the things I'm thankful for:

• the 3 mile brisk warm-up walk we experienced going back and forth between the start line & finish line, I was indeed loosened up before the start of the race (and trust me it really was 3 mile walk because I verified it on 'favoriterun.com')
• my mommy & daddy for getting my that iPod shuffle. It was used for most of the race.
• all the people who I let pass me in the first 10 miles of the marathon....they were walking by mile 21...but i wasn't!!!!
• the folks @ the sidelines in Georgetown with the sign "Who wants more cowbell!?!??!" while ringing lots of cowbell. They made me laugh. 
• the one-legged marines @ mile 10, it felt amazing to run a marathon beside them
• the lady at mile 11 who said, "I feel like a new woman" I thought she was referring to running the marathon. No she was referring to the pee she just took in the woods. 
• an actual bathroom and NOT a porta-potty along Hane's Point 
• Mocha flavored Clif Shots @ mile 12....delicious
• the large black man @ mile 14 who was yelling "Do the Damn Thing! Do the Damn Thing!" over & over again (thank you, I did)
• groups of lil kids who stuck out their hands for high fives...I went out of my way for them, so cute!
• Conklin, Richy, & G$ @ mile 16 -- so happy to finally see my fans!
• the lady @ mile 19 with Vaseline (I dropped my Burt's Beez Wax @ mile 0.25) she was a life saver for my lips!
• making the s&(^&(&(sdlfjkjh$#&%&)_@#&)(&$#(kjhdfkjh^*&) BRIDGE!! Take that!!!
• the sign @ mile 20 that said, "Put a door in your wall." (took me a while to get it, but when i got it - it motivated me)
• the people @ mile 22 with signs that said, "You're almost done have a beer!" and yes...they really were offering beer to the runners. And yes...some people actually took them
• me NOT taking the beer @ mile 22 and staying hydrated
• marines - thank you for all the powerade
• my medal - it's pretty sexy
• crossing that finish line in 5 hours and 14 minutes...I surprised myself
• the sprinkle donut Gerald had for me at the finish line...they BOTH were amazing :-)