Lisa
------------------------------
Again, thank
you.
~Christian Vogl
--------------------------------
Here's my story:
This
is my 2nd year with LARR. And boy has it been a challenging season for
me. Recovering from a bike accident Which left me 2 months without any
physical activity was dreadful in itself. With the wonderful leadership
from Walt, Nancy, Bill, Jamie & Patricia and seeing the rest of the
groups dedication showing up weekly, made it so encouraging for me to
push through the pain and kept me moving forward! Especially reading
Walt's weekly emails!
Cross training in the mean time with cycling, swimming & easy hikes I eventually started trying to play catch up with running, (which I know in longer miles it's impossible). Week after week I just went with the flow and did the best I can. It wasn't until January I decided, I'm going for it, I'm paying & signed up for the marathon as well! The night before the marathon I had a conversation with Teon who mentioned to me about another group member who was doubting to do the marathon because she too was recovering from an injury and not sure about running it. Before we knew it, after exchanging cell numbers thru Teon, we planned to give it our best run with the group then stick together when we fall behind. Who would know, that last text message the night before with Lisa (Boyle) would mean so much to me on Marathon day!
Cross training in the mean time with cycling, swimming & easy hikes I eventually started trying to play catch up with running, (which I know in longer miles it's impossible). Week after week I just went with the flow and did the best I can. It wasn't until January I decided, I'm going for it, I'm paying & signed up for the marathon as well! The night before the marathon I had a conversation with Teon who mentioned to me about another group member who was doubting to do the marathon because she too was recovering from an injury and not sure about running it. Before we knew it, after exchanging cell numbers thru Teon, we planned to give it our best run with the group then stick together when we fall behind. Who would know, that last text message the night before with Lisa (Boyle) would mean so much to me on Marathon day!
I had all my gear layed out. Mind and
body feeling a bit nervous and achy (as it did every time before our
long runs) but my soul was in the game and ready to go! Seeing everyone
that morning, then heading over to the corrals with you all was so
comforting and exciting! The positive uplifting energy of the thousands
of runners all around us was priceless! Seeing Walt's W balloon added to
it, cause at least I had an eye on him when we would leave as a group.
Leaving Dodger Stadium was an Amazing,.........Overwhelming feeling of
Joy! Then doing the wave and seeing everyone else join in with us was so
cool! Even though we were pushing through faster than I anticipated, I
was feeling good. Not till we got to the monster hill pass Broadway did I
dread the most! Even though we walked it up, I slowly saw the group
walking up faster than I can keep up. So I knew this was it.
Then I had to use the bathroom. I did my best to hold off as long as I could knowing once I stopped to do so, I would lose you guys. With the heat getting the best of me drinking all the fluids, I finally had to stop to use the br. So early on, I lost you all and just kept moving forward to the best of my ability. The heat continued to rise and and I felt my self slower and slower until I was only able to walk. Thank God Lisa and I stuck together because I know, she helped me tremendously knowing I wasn't in it alone! We started making the best of it, and each time we passed the band's Lisa would start dancing and it just helped take the pain off my mind. We took advantage of all the water stations just to keep hydrated. Luckily I had a lil towel I kept wetting and placed behind my neck and alternated on my head.
Every time I heard and felt my
interval watch go off and tell me to run, I found myself walking
through more of them then I would of liked. I deeply struggled with the
heat. Seeing and feeling my hands and feet swell, feeling nausea at
times, and dry mouth I knew I was experiencing symptoms of heat
exhaustion. As much water, electrolyte drinks I continued to drink I
just couldnt quench my thirst. Lisa and I made goals to run as much as
we can. Seeing friends at mile 6, 8, and 19 with ice cold gatorade and
cliff bars was rejuvenating! Reading messages from friends on FB and
text messages, gave me the burst of energy to keep going! Getting pushed
up on the sidewalks by motorcycle police and garbage trucks rolling
into clean was a sore sight and hurt my morale. But I just felt like
saying, sweep me up while your at it! Lol.
At last we were coming down San Vicente and I knew we were home sweet home! Getting nervous that we would not make the 8 hour mark and receive our medals after all we endured, I told Lisa after looking at her and seeing how good she looked to go ahead without me so she can get her 1st medal at least. She chose not to and said, "nope I'm sticking with ya!"
The turn around Ocean was an amazing feeling that yes we are going to finish this! Still not knowing if we would receive our medals or not, we continued and came across a disabled guy with a special knee brace walking the marathon! That gave is the boost we needed and we finished strong running into the end! Even though we were diverted to the right for the finish line, We Did IT!!! So excited running into the end, I ran in holding my hands up high, crying with JOY passing by the ladies giving out the medals- one came after me to put it around my neck!!!:) Sorry it took all week, Ive been focused on recovering because I'm doing my first triathlon in the morning! Wish me luck! Look forward to a PR next year! See ya all soon! :)
Carol Martinez
Then I had to use the bathroom. I did my best to hold off as long as I could knowing once I stopped to do so, I would lose you guys. With the heat getting the best of me drinking all the fluids, I finally had to stop to use the br. So early on, I lost you all and just kept moving forward to the best of my ability. The heat continued to rise and and I felt my self slower and slower until I was only able to walk. Thank God Lisa and I stuck together because I know, she helped me tremendously knowing I wasn't in it alone! We started making the best of it, and each time we passed the band's Lisa would start dancing and it just helped take the pain off my mind. We took advantage of all the water stations just to keep hydrated. Luckily I had a lil towel I kept wetting and placed behind my neck and alternated on my head.
At last we were coming down San Vicente and I knew we were home sweet home! Getting nervous that we would not make the 8 hour mark and receive our medals after all we endured, I told Lisa after looking at her and seeing how good she looked to go ahead without me so she can get her 1st medal at least. She chose not to and said, "nope I'm sticking with ya!"
The turn around Ocean was an amazing feeling that yes we are going to finish this! Still not knowing if we would receive our medals or not, we continued and came across a disabled guy with a special knee brace walking the marathon! That gave is the boost we needed and we finished strong running into the end! Even though we were diverted to the right for the finish line, We Did IT!!! So excited running into the end, I ran in holding my hands up high, crying with JOY passing by the ladies giving out the medals- one came after me to put it around my neck!!!:) Sorry it took all week, Ive been focused on recovering because I'm doing my first triathlon in the morning! Wish me luck! Look forward to a PR next year! See ya all soon! :)
Carol Martinez
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