Race Recap: Shit Happens! LITERALLY!

Happy to see my little man

Shit happens! LITERALLY! 

Between mile 20 and 21, I said to Nick I needed a bathroom because I was going to have diarrhea. Thankfully there was a public restroom just ahead on my left. My explosive poo lost me my 4th place position, but my stomach sure felt better. I haven't had diarrhea like this in a very long time and I'm blaming it on my taking of Ibuprofen these past couple of weeks, trying to keep the inflammation of my piriformis down. I'm not one of those runners 'anymore' who pop pain relievers while running. A past habit with overdoing has now taught me not to do at all. 

It was a beautiful morning, clear and slightly humid. I treated this race like I do all my marathons. In my head I walked me through the process as if I was 100% healthy, even though my body was trying to tell me I wasn't. 5 weeks of frustration not knowing what was going on with my leg and back on my right side, sent me to 1 doctor appointment, 2 different chiropractor's and 1 masseuse. Each doing what they do in trying to get me in the best physical shape I could be in for The Big Island International Marathon ( Hilo Marathon ). 

I love this marathon; it's local, it's hilly, it's scenic. Last year was my first year running, setting a personal best at that time & landing me 3rd female overall. Of course I was Happy! 

Even with this piriformis syndrome & sciatica issue, I was determined to run again this year. The only thing was, I had different intentions. I knew first and foremost I was going to have to listen to my body no matter what and run because I love running, not for a specific TIME or PLACE on the podium. 

I woke up feeling better than I expected to feel, since the car ride over from Kona to Hilo slightly irritated my body. I pretty much sat on top of my wooden yoga block, with my TP Therapy ball behind my back. But good times with Nick & Whistler make everything feel better. 

These good times took us right on up to Mauna Loa for a little play in the snow and a trip to the zoo like we always do when we're visiting Hilo, Hawaii. Who else plays the day before a race? 

Snow ball fight

First time being able to try out the
snowboard in Hawaii. 

Handstand is a must,  what can I say! 

Hilo Zoo (family selfie)

Petting Zoo on Saturdays

5 4 3 2 1 GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And just like that it was time to run 26.2, it was time to do what I love to do. Surprisingly, I was feeling good. A little tight in my chest & heavy in my legs, but all in all I was feeling good. Since I was feeling good I decided to run the best I could for as long as I could. No holding back no reserving energy, because if I end up having a really good day it might be too late to catch up. I continued talking like this to myself all the way through the first 13 miles. Most of the hills were now out of my way and so far no pain worth quitting for. Before the race my sister said "if it's going to hurt, it's going to hurt no matter if you're running slow or fast." 

One last hill before heading back toward town and I wasn't hurting (well sore, but not so bad that I couldn't keep running) but my pace was definitely slowing and I was feeling exhausted. I was now being passed by another strong female & who I thought to be partner (both equally fast & strong) putting me into 3rd. I was okay with this because I was doing all I could do. 

My 3rd place went to 4th place and my 4th place dropped to 5th place which eventually left me in 6th place overall (female). The females were strong and I was stronger than I thought I was going to be. I remember telling one of those girls to go for it and chase the girl down ahead of her. Keep going keep going and fight for it. If I wasn't going to have my day, I surely could cheer on another to have hers. 

Feeling emotional & exhausted with less than 8 miles to go. 

I expressed a few tears after seeing Nick & Whistler on their bikes while cheering me on. Tears of excitement to finally see them on course and tears of not knowing what I should do. Should I quit running or keep going. Nick being strong and confident said get going and reassured me numerous times I had it in me to finish. He was right! 

I had it in my heart and my head to finish. My head my heart worked together to keep me going and pushing through the exhaustion, the diarrhea, the tears, the slow pace, the tension in my leg. My body once again surprised me to the finish line. 

Good company keeps you moving forwards

Quarter mile to go. ..and finally. ..

Finish Line!
3:45:50
6th Female Overall
1st in my Division

By 1:00pm my insides Finally stopped pouring to the outside and I was ready to eat. Nick took Whistler and I to this yummy barbecue place in Pahoa. 

Boys & their ribs, beans, rice, cornbread

True cowboy

And OH MY they had fried okra  (I haven't eaten these in years) and they were so good alongside my pulled pork sandwich. Yes, I was starving!

What do you like to eat after a race? 

Even though there was no PR for me, and I walked, I cried, I had diarrhea, I almost fell when I tried to walk, I still managed to smile and thank everyone out there race day for all they do for each of us running. I made the best of my day and with that I can walk away content and more sore than usual.

By no means does this mean I'm done or going to be upset or even dissapointed. ..Oh NO way, I will be coming back stronger on June 28th for the Kona Marathon located in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

Many thanks go out to the race itself, the volunteers, the spectators, my family & friends, and the opportunity to run in Hawaii. Another marathon in the book's, another beautiful-yet hard experience. 

Thank you for working on my body getting me run ready:

Dr. James Stanley  (chiropractor)

Dr. Lisa (chiropractor)

Melissa (Massage therapist)

~ Just Breathe

Brooke Myers