And the Oscar Goes to...

Yesterday I completed my goal of running my 6th marathon!  I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone that came out and supported me...you rock!  I officially finished in 4:58.52...I was getting very close to that 5 hour mark, so my last mile was an all out "sprint" (relatively speaking of course...I mean, how fast do you really think I can go after I just ran 25 miles????) 

Now 5 hours gives you a lot of time to think...and a lot of time to observe those around you.  So I would like to present my "Marathon Superlatives" list for the 2012 Columbus Marathon.  Drum roll, please....

Best Costume by a Runner:  the guy wearing a fluffy, yellow feathered hat that had several kids identify him as Big Bird.  His response, "I'M NOT BIG BIRD, OKAY?!?!?!"

Worst Costume by a Runner:  the guy dressed up as Super Mario.  Hey, the costume was cool.  But maybe he should have put a little thought into how running 26 miles in denim overalls was going to feel.

Worst Costume by a Group of Spectators:  the 6 or 7 ladies in their late 30s that were dressed up as 'sexy' super heroes.  I think there was more spandex used for their costumes than was used for the entire wardrobe of the 15,000+ runners.  Think about that. 

Best Idea...in Therory:  running through the Horseshoe.  Yes, it was cool.  But at 17.5 miles, my legs did not appreciate running down the steep ramp into the stadium, then promptly running back up the steep ramp out of the stadium.  In the words of the lady next to me, "Maybe this should have been in the first couple of miles."  Ya think???

Worst Idea...in Theory and in Practice:  having no water available at the finish.  Me asking for a cup of water should not a special request when I just finished a marathon.  Enough said.

Best Spectator Sign:  "If it were easy, they'd call it math."  Not sure exactly what it means, but I like it :)

Worst Spectator Sign:  Any of the signs that ended with "that's what she said."  Ew.

Best Spectators:  The Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Champions.   This year, Nationwide Children's Hospital dedicated each mile of the race to a child who is suffering from an illness.  These children were each at 'their' mile marker, cheering and encouraging the runners with huge smiles on their faces.  Even the kids at the later miles, who had been there for several hours by the time I passed them, were still going strong!  If you want to read about these incredible children that were literally choking me up while I was running, please visit: http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/marathon-miracle-mile-patients

Worst Spectator:  Governor Kasich, who once again did not show up.  Come on man...Gov. Taft skipped golfing one Sunday a year to cheer, and even Gov. Strickland was always out there with his $3500 leather jacket and matching driving gloves on!  I voted for you, and yet you let me down time and time again.  Sigh.

Person I Most Wanted to Punch in the Face:  the guy who, as the wheelchair racers were passing going the other way, commented: "That is such a huge advantage.  Give me those wheels for a couple of miles!!"  Um, sir?  Please think about what you just said...and then I'm going to slap you.

Person I Most Wanted to Not Run With:  my temporary friend at mile 6 (an older woman who initially seemed innocent enough) who struck up a conversation to tell me about how she has "relieved" her bathroom needs on so many trees across Ohio that if the FBI's bloodhounds had to track her they would get lost.  It was at this point I decided that maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to pick up the pace a bit.

Person I Most Wanted to be Friends With:  the girl who's running partner at mile 20 was going, "You can do this!  You don't need to walk!  Insert other inspirational quotes here!"  Because it was a friend and not a significant other, I suspect that she kept her mouth shut.  But I think I know what was going on inside her head...

Person I Most Wish I Knew Who They Were:   the girl that was screaming, "Go Kelsey...go Kelsey Paulus!" at the point where the half marathoners are turning to finish and the full marathoners are going straight.  I tried to look...but there were too many people!  Whomever you are, thanks!  Not only for the words of encouragement, but for distracting my brain for a mile or so while I wondered just exactly who would recognize me amongst throngs of people, and yet not know that I am married.  Hmmm....

Biggest Disappointment:  no Krispy Kremes at the finish.  Somehow, double fisting the two organic granola bars they handed out in our "food bags" just wasn't the same.   

And so, another marathon is in the books!  So what should be my next running adventure?  Pre-baby I wanted to run a 50 miler...I was even signed up for it.  But the training takes up so much time; time that I would rather be spending with my little mister.  So what now?  Speed training to see how fast I can run a 5K?  A half-marathon?  Sitting on my couch eating a pint of ice cream?  And for that matter, what should I do with this blog??  I like writing, and at the very least my mom is enjoying reading it.  (At least that's what she says, but really, what is she going to say?  She is my mom, after all.)  So I will ponder all of that and let you know in the next entry.  Suggestions would be welcome.  :)

But to sum up this marathon, I am going to claim victory.  No, I didn't cross the finish line first...and no, it wasn't even close to a PR.  But I made time to run during this hectic thing we call life, and for me that is a success.  There is a quote that states "If you want to win something, run 100 meters.  If you want to experience something, run a marathon."  I will take an experience over a win any day, which is probably why I'll be out there again in the future.  Searching for just one more experience, 26.2 miles at a time...