Life Lessons Learned During the 26.2

I know, I am way behind in my blogging, BUT I have to post this one before my senile brain takes over and I completely forget all of these wonderful life lessons I learned during my recent marathon! This was such an amazing experience... My first marathon was to prove I could do one. My second was to prove I could do one after having children. This one by far was for the best reason... To support Ben Towne Foundation. I signed up for this race in January, yes a long time ago. It was when Aidan had his tonsils out and I was tired and feeling horrible for my little guy. It struck me howI was dealing with 1/1,000,000,000 of what a parent with cancer has on their plates. It also hit home that with only 3% of the national cancer budget going to fight pediatric cancer, someone has to DO something! It can't be the families battling or who have battled. It has to be US, as in you and me! Fast forward 10 months, there wasn't NEARLY as much training as should have occurred but overall, a SUCCESS! Almost $17,000 raised by Team Ben Towne Foundation and I at least didn't embarrass myself and kept my mileage within the 9 minute mile area... So onto the life lessons:

• If you are going to sign up for a crazy race or adventure, rope in Laura. She's always a great sport, loves to laugh and is just an all around fantastic friend.
• Hey laughing hyena, tone it down at dinner before the race. You're going to get yourself so amped up, you are only going to get 2 hours of sleep before 4 hours of running. And stop laughing so hard you have to run to the bathroom so you don't pee your pants. That's just embarrassing! Yes, reliving college stories with Liz is funny, but wait until the next night, ok?
• Hey chatty Cathy, stretch a little before 4 hours of running. There is a reason why all 13,000 runners were doing so when you were giggling with Laura and repeating over and over, "I can't believe we're doing this! Wahoo!" 
• When you think you are going to pass out from starvation at mile 13, hang on. Taylor Swift's "Ronan" just might come onto your iPod, you might just have your first downhill (phew) and a dad with his two kids just might be holding a sign that says, "Remember the REASON you are running this race." All is good again.
• Boo yeah, to Taylor Swift, awesome downhill and random man holding sign. Don't freak out with excitement over this inspiring moment and start sprinting. You are at MILE 13, ONLY halfway... 
• FYI, you were running this race with 13,000, almost 7,000 were also doing the marathon. So at mile 16 if you accidentally break into air guitar because "Welcome to the Jungle" comes on your iPod, guess what? People are going to see you and it's going to be kind of embarrassing.
• Along those same lines, lip syncing and hand movements to Pink on the St. John Bridge also equals embarrassment. People were driving past you for the love of God.
• If you give a wild fist pump and hop in the air at the top of St. John's Bridge for a photo op (and didn't stretch or train beforehand), your Achilles' tendon is going to feel like it's snapped, which is going to lead to the worst calf cramp, which is turn will lead to overcompensation on your left foot, which is going to lead to ALL FIVE toenails falling off on left foot. Save the fist pumping for the end, preferably while sitting in a wheelchair, front part of shopping cart, whatever you can find. And no, it's not likely that your next pedicure will be half off.
• Give a "whoop" when you see your favorite fan sign that states, "Give a whoop, if you haven't done a poop (in your pants)."
• High Five every single kid along the course, after all, you are running this race for the little peeps.
• Get a little teary eyed when you see high school cheerleader, all decked out in cheer gear, with her dad, who is wearing her school's t-shirt and he's also waving pom-poms. It's a reminder that thousand of parents are also cheering on their children... in hospital rooms.
• Drink the beer at mile 23, it might have helped you. Dangit, you hate regrets! When offered, always say yes to the beer!
• When you cross the finish line, try to keep your exhaustion to yourself. The medics at the finish line don't appreciate running to catch you from falling and all you can mutter is... "food." 
• Only do marathons with plenty of food at the end. But next time, let's not lay down on the chocolate milk table, okay? Better yet, let's not fill your mouth with Ginger Snaps before laying down and pouring chocolate milk into your mouth. There are some things you should only do in the privacy of your home and this is one of them.
• Do it again and do it for Ben Towne Foundation. Yes, I know at mile 20-23, you mentioned never again. But let's be real, it was a pretty big honor to run for such an amazing cause! 

A HUGE thank you to who all who financially supported this endeavor, who emotionally supported this effort and who are continuing the movement for Ben Towne Foundation. People that I love more than life, love and miss Ben so much and I would give anything to lessen their grief. I can't do that, but I can sure run my little toenails off, so run my toenails off I will!

www.bentownefoundation.org 

No, Laura doesn't have her hands in her pockets, she and I are wearing black gloves. Because we were awesome and prepared like that. (Ha! Laura's training regimen included eating well and drinking less and she STILL rocked it! Atta Girl!)