Toasting each other for our first Marathon. It's all fun and games at the beginning, little did we know that at the end of it we would be barely able to walk.
The sunrise came about two hours into the walk, which ironically was almost how long it took us to get our adrenaline back down to normal after our first wildlife encounter. We were walking along the trail at a pretty good clip, when we met up with a baby skunk. Not realizing what was before me, I extended my arms headed and toward it, excitedly saying, "Oooh....a baby kitten!!!" Quickly, Danny stopped Emma and me, by quietly telling me to ".......shuush....it's nooooot a kitten....get back....." The marathon almost ended just as we were getting started.
A man and his dog. Emma was a complete trooper. I forgot to account for all of the water/swimming breaks along the loop, but as the marathon continued, I realized that it wasn't about the time of the race, it was just finishing it.
I'm kicking myself for not getting a photo with Jess. She met up with us for a leg of the final loop. If she wouldn't have been able to meet up, there is no way that Danny and I could have finished. We were deliriously exhausted, and at our breaking points. The only thing that continuously came out of our mouths were, "....my feeeeet hurt....." Having Jess to distract us and visit was heaven sent.
Two miles after Jess headed back to her car, I hit a wall and had to lay down in the grass for 2 minutes. Danny kept telling me that it was only three-ish more miles. He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me toward the finish line. I honestly didn't think I was going to make it. I truly almost started crying because my feet and legs hurt so badly.
With less than a mile to go I received a text message from Megan, confirming the location of the finish line. When we got to the top of the pedestrian bridge, with the final steps in view, we saw Michelle, Kristin, and Megan. Megan had calculated our journey, and they surprised us with cheers and hollers - just like a real race! They were holding an invisible banner for the winners to cross through. Although we weren't able to jog, but we did do a triumphant two-arms-up-power-fist-victory whoot!
The three amigos. Look at that tired dog, poor little Emma. She gets doggy treats for a week! Same with Danny, I bought him a juicy burger, and milkshake. What an amazing boyfriend to help me on that journey. I can't think of anyone else that would be as crazy, and as wonderful to help me reach my goal. What a team!!!
Unfortunately, Danny fared worse from the race. My feet, although swollen didn't do too badly. Dan's feet were bloody and had multiple blisters. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a man that would literally pulverize his body to help me succeed. He never quits on me. He's always the first person to say, "Sure, why not!" I couldn't have done this marathon without him. In fact, I never would have even attempted it at this point in my life. He is amazing and I'm incredibly grateful.
All in all we walked the 26.2 miles in a total of 8 hours and 40 minutes. Not the world's fastest time for a marathon, but we did it together, and although painful it was still really fun! Wonderful memories.
