When Mara and I set out running almost 3 years ago we never thought we'd run a half marathon (13.1 miles). We've run 3 halves, and now the unthinkable. We thought 13.1 was long, but not unreasonable anymore. We started training for the full marathon back in July (in the desert heat!), and did very well in training until we hit our 3 week European vacation. We ran ~18mi over those 3 weeks and ~30mi in the ~2 weeks after we got back and before the marathon. Sunday we set out on a 26.2mi journey. The route took us from Downtown, North to Camelback Rd, East to Camelback Mountain, and South to ASU's Sun Devil Stadium. We were doing awesome, running about a 5hr marathon pace, until around mile 17 my right knee started locking up. It had bothered a little for the last few miles, but after a water station it hurt bad. I got some ice and tried running a little more, but the knee said "No". Mara was nice enough to hang back with me, and I really appreciated it. From the beginning we've run together, and our goal is to finish and feel good, not focused on times. We tried jogging a little bit here and there, but ended up walking it in most of the last 10mi. But coming around the corner and seeing the finish about 50yds ahead, I jogged through the pain and we finished (at 6hrs 18min). After we stopped running and got back to the car and sat for a bit my knee felt fine. Must have just been irritated running. My left foot hurt a little from compensating for the knee, but other than that we both feel GREAT! We feel like we did after our longest run (18mi prior to the marathon). We are very thankful to Heather & John for taking Rohan Sat night & Sun day. Rohan has also been a big part of our training, putting in over 1000 miles since we've been in Phoenix!
Last weekend we also celebrated Rohan's 2nd birthday with a small party at the Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. Rohan got some awesome gifts including a noise cube and a tee ball set. He has always watched baseball, but never really played with a bat and ball, but he took to it like he was a pro! He plays outside with it about every other day now and can really smack the ball! So fun to watch! Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us!
Rohan has also had some additions to his climbing wall. We go stickers from all the country's he's been too, as well as some running/climbing ones as well. We have a few more to get too since we weren't in Luxembourg long enough to get a sticker, but he's got a stamp in his passport!...:)
We had some time to watch the BCS game with Rohan last Monday. We got him a cupcake for his late birthday gift which he devoured in typical Rohan fashion. He also entertained us with some sweet dance moves during the singing of God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner...never a dull moment with that kid...:)
We are VERY proud of ourselves for accomplishing our marathon. We really had to fight some demons to attempt it (especially after our training fell off in Europe!). To think about a marathon 3yrs ago was a joke, even 5 miles was a HUGE feat when we did it without stopping. It's been nice to have Nike+ too so we can track our progress. We'll look back someday and see how insane we were...or still are! We'll probably take a short hiatus from running to recover, and fill the void with climbing instead. We'll get back into it soon. One thing we've set out to do is make running enjoyable. By running slower, talking, and running in new and beautiful places, we've made less of a chore and more of a exciting adventure!
Hope everyone had a great 3-day weekend!
Rohan's Birthday Cupcake:
Super Rohan!:
Rohan's Interpretive Dance:
Rohan Plays Baseball:
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Love all the pics and videos! In one pic, Rohan had quite the knock-kneed stance for t-ball - also loved his wood-chop swing! cool cow pen and awesome speakers for your TV!
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