http://www.tnt-nnj.org/TrainingScheduleHalfMarathonNJM2009.htm
Link to my TNT Home Page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/nj09/jnavarrfng
Monday April 27: No running, no workout.
Tuesday April 28: 2 mile run in the morning. Taught boxing at night...I kept my own impact down.
Wednesday April 29: No running, no workout.
Thursday April 30: 2 mile run in the morning.
Friday May 1: No running, no workout.
Saturday May 2: No running, no workout. I was supposed to do 1 mile, but didn't find the time. Ugh.
RACE DAY
What an experience the whole weekend was. I felt all the EMOTIONS, especially the tear-jerking ones from beginning to end.
EXCITEMENT from picking up the race packets on Saturday afternoon.
HUNGER as I waited to eat at the pasta party.
EMOTIONAL as I hugged Tim and saw how grateful he was when he saw the turnout in the room at the dinner. THAT FEELING STUCK WITH ME THE REST OF THE WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY THROUGHOUT THE RACE AND WILL STICK WITH ME FOREVER.
PRIDE as I heard how much money we have raised as a group for blood cancers. THE REALIZATION THAT EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR COUNTS.
Tony (marathoner), Myself, and our mentor/marathoner Alex
My wife Carolynn, our great friend Michele, and myself.SADNESS that night and all weekend as I heard and read about all the stories of Leukemia and Lymphoma survivors and non-survivors.
HUNGER as I left the pasta party (no-shocker).
TIRED when I woke up at 4:30 am Sunday to get out of bed.
NERVOUS at 4:32 when I really woke up and realized what morning it was.
ANNOYED at having to wait an extra 30 minutes in the cold drizzle for the race to start because traffic was horrendous.
SURPRISED at how slow the pace was early on in the race (9,000 participants might have had something to do with it), but a 10-minute first mile?
SCARED that I was going to either slip, trip, fall, or even trip or inadvertently push other runners. It gets pretty hazardous.
FRUSTRATED that the years of on and off floating cartilage in my right knee decided to act up this week, and immediately during the race was no different. I had to manage that during the entire race and it limited my stride to about 90%. If I took a chance I would have risked it locking on me, as has happened a million times before.
HAPPY with all the race supporters along the route considering the crappy weather, that was impressive. The signs, rock bands, DJ's, even the houses decorated with "BLOODY MARY DRINK STATION" were very motivating. Yes, I thought about stopping.
INCREDIBLY EXCITED when I saw the cutest nephews ever yelling and running towards me between miles 5&6 and Tim, Jeananne, Alana, Grace, Phil and Steven there too. It was the absolute BEST feeling ever, and the biggest rush all day by far. My highlight. I LOVE YOU GUYS.
EXHAUSTED about 1/4 mile after I saw them from the rush I got.
COMFORTABLE even with my limited stride, and slowly making up some time to get to my goal.
PUMPED every time I heard "GO TEAM" because I knew it was either a fellow Team-in-Training teammate, someone connected to the cause, or someone who recognized the colors. I heard those cheers throughout the ENTIRE race, and my next 10 strides were faster every single time. Thank you.
GRATEFUL to the TNT coaches, especially Tom and Glenn for pushing me during the last couple of miles. Thanks for the training runs as well, you guys volunteer so much time for a great cause.
Coaches Tom, Melissa, Glenn and Andy (A million thanks also to coach Les).PISSED that with under 1 mile to go, when I was pacing myself the whole race and counting on finishing very strong to meet my personal goal, BOOM, my left calf starts to cramp up. I would catch it before it completely went, but when I would forget and took a normal stride, there it went again, and again, and then my right one started. I couldn't get that sprint push with my feet and it sucked. I missed my goal by 14 seconds!
VERY SATISFIED with my time for my first 1/2 marathon (unofficially 1:45:10). I was happy to finish, and to do it for such a great and personal cause.
RELIEF seeing my wife Carolynn finishing when she did, especially with the terrible pain she must have been in the entire race.
DESPERATION trying to get to Carolynn to give her the biggest hug ever. I am so proud of you honey, great job, I LOVE YOU.
AMAZED at how well my friend Michele did AND she even fell during the race. Great job Michele, I am very proud of you!
WARM and DRY once I got out of the soaking wet clothes.
PAIN doing anything and everything leg related.
PAIN watching Carolynn get her leg worked on and in pain.
EMOTIONAL as I watched people finish and hug their families after both the 1/2 and Full marathons. That goes double to our teammate Tony who had a very large support group and was very tear-jerking watching him hug his mom and brother at the finish-line. Whew.
Tony hugging coach Melissa.DONE. Ahhhhhhh. Great experience, Great cause, Great support, Great team. I loved it.
CELEBRATION TIME! Great way to finish the day. Celebrate Grace and Phil's anniversary, as well as the race all at once. We missed you Elaine!
Carolynn, me, Grace, Jeananne, Tim, Phil.
