Tales of Detroit!!

Hey Ladies!!

I can't thank you all enough for your texts, phone messages, airport receptions, yard forkings, etc!! I TRULY had an awesome arrival home!!! More COWBELL, Please!!!

I was pumped the minute I arrived in Detroit--I was sooo ready for this race, as many of you knew. The expo was awesome and we even ran into Dick Beardsley there. Didn't chase him, though!! The Hanson Brothers had their runners selling stuff from the store at the expo, so we met many of the group at the expo. They had posters there of the runners and they were willing to autograph them--I got quite a few to sign the poster--now I hope they all qualify for the olympics next month--it'll make that poster even cooler!!!

So, the race. Wow!!! A big race is sooo different. The corrals, the intimidation, the excitement!! The gun blew and off we went. About a mile in, I realized that my Garmin did not catch the satellites. All I had was a stop watch and a pace band. I wasn't horribly worried--I had planned to stay "in the pacers back pocket" for the race anyway. I nearly missed the first water stop because I didn't see it--that crowd stuff is hard for a North Dakota girl!!!

Here's where it gets fun!! I felt the urge to pee at about mile 7--I had gained about a minute on the pacer at that time (all that Pelican Lake and Fargo Ramp training had me smokin' up that Ambassador Bridge!) Anyway, I was going to wait for a open port-a potty so as not to compromise my time.....ha! ha!

Many of you who know me well, know that I have had "pee issues" in the past. I hadn't had any problems this training season, oddly enough. HOWEVER, at about the mile 9 water stop I glugged down my obligatory fluid and like an act of god, peed as I swallowed. I honestly had no intention or control over it!! This happened for the next few water stops and wouldn't you know--I no longer needed that porta-potty. I felt very glad that it was a little windy, that I had a black skirt on and that I had applied TONS of body glide to my smokin' hot (& now wet) thighs!!!

I am writing that off as God just plain old takin' care of Wabbit!!! (Brian & I decided that I was pretending to be a Kenyan--because that must be what they do when they have to go......or at least we'll keep on believing that!!!)

The course was flat, and it was fast. Before I knew it, we were back downtown and done with the first half. The Windsor Tunnel was hot and humid, and it felt great to get back out into the fresh air and cool breeze. We headed of to Belle Isle, then, which is where I had my one and only down moment. It lasted about 200 yards...Bossy then popped onto my ipod (which seemed like it was playing in slow, slow motion) and I was right back up.

At mile 22 Brian caught up to me and tapped me on the shoulder--he said "go wabbit, go!!" I knew he was having a tough race. About a half mile later he caught me again, asked how I was doing--he said I looked determined and was gritting my teeth!! I was at that point where I knew I was going to "get her done" and let him know that it was all about finishing.

My original intention was to stay with the pacer until 22 and then break away depending on how I felt--I stuck with him until 25 and then broke away. My pacer's name was George. I took George's name in vain a lot that day. I would see George's little pace sign in my peripheral vision and could only say "Dammit, George!!" George was a good pacer with a runny nose and a Farmer Blowing problem, like our good friend, Kathleen, but George took me home, and for George, I am now glad. But I will forever say, "Dammit, George!!!!"

As you all know, I crossed the finish line at 3:44:24--about 2 minutes faster than my Fargo time. If you go to freep.com you can see the video of me crossing--just click the box by my finish interval and you can watch me come across.

I want you all to know that you were ALL there with me that day. There wasn't one of you that I didn't talk to or think about. Several of you I talked out loud to--:)

I need to say "Thanks" again for all that you have done for me. This Boston finish is because all of you believed in me and helped me push myself through the training. It is for the miles you have put in with me and the for the sweat and pain that you endured. What I have done in 1 year blows my mind. I would have laughed at you had someone told me this would happen a year ago. I couldn't have done it alone.

Believe in yourselves, ladies!!! We have an awesome thing going here---I am sooo proud to know you and to have you as friends! Thanks again--and now, off to BEANTOWN!!!!!!!