At mile 22, I received enough information to know that my goal was within reach but not a sure thing. Thanks to Ms. Garminia’s refusal to join me in the downpour, I ran the Portland Marathon by feel (and proximity to the 3:50 pace team.) I did not have the difference between gun fire and time to the starting line. At most, I was off by 8 minutes. It was more than I thought I could shave but I was determined to make my goal happen.
I picked up the pace: sub-8, sub-8:15, sub-8:30. I was passing people right & left and narrowed the gap as I reeled in the finish. Grunting and gritting my teeth, I powered through the final miles.
There was no way I would miss the goal this time!
The street lights above turned yellow, signaling caution. Along the side of the road, lay people who’d miscalculated their limits and pushed their bodies to exhaustion. I couldn’t let that be me.
Just as the light turned, a voice yelled out, “Red means GO, Juls!” I pushed on, thankful for the reminder that I was not at my limit. I had more, much more to give.
In the final mile and half, my body started to slow despite me sending messages to pick it up. There was more in me, I just knew it. The people offering encouragement, music along the way, and the rest of the outside stimuli was no longer able to fuel me. It was time to separate and use the last of my mental and physical energy to fight for my BQ.
Instead of all the prior missed BQ’s crippling me, I was now using them to fuel the fight. Determination and a strong belief that I deserved to finally be qualified to run the Boston Marathon gave me enough force to cross the finish with 4:02:xx displaying. Almost assuredly, it would have taken me 2 minutes or more from gun fire to have crossed the start. I had to have hit my goal. I just needed to verify what already knew. Then, I would celebrate…
Unfortunately, my d-tag seems to have malfunctioned at a number of locations along the route as well as the finish. I have completed the required results correction form, sent emails, and made a call in the attempt to obtain my well-earned qualifying finish time. Then, I will officially celebrate sweet success.
I did it!
You so rock!
She what? What did she do?
Whohoo!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!
What a great story to start off MY day :-) Congratulations!!
Oh wow! Yeah, what Brit said — you rock! I was following your live tracking — they had the first two splits (10K and 8.9 – you were moving fast), nothing for the half or 20, then they had the next to last split (21.1 – you had slowed down), then … nothing. My recollection is it was showing a gun to chip time differential of somewhere right around 2 minutes.
Congratulations Juls! Awesome stuff!
You did it!!! Boston is yours Juls. I saw the gun to chip difference too and it was actually closer to 3 minutes. Congratulations on a well-deserved qualification.
ta-da :))
Juls,
I wanna cry reading this cuz I’m so happy for you. I think those of us who tried on several occassions for their BQs before making it can appreciate it more than those who get it right away – or so I wanna believe. I know this chip malfunction thing will get squared away and it sounds like you have folks who know your chip versus clock time too who will vouch for you. Congratulations again. I know that your joy is probably a bit tempered because of the chip thing, but once it’s settled, I hope you’re on Cloud 9 and totally totally excited about this!!! (I know I am just reading about it!). You did it, girl!! (and..without Ms. Garminia too..wow!!)
PS….
And… I love this too!!!: Instead of all the prior missed BQ’s crippling me, I was now using them to fuel the fight.
Misty-eyed and so happy for you!! :)) So envious, too. ;) Many happy hugs! :)
I keep checking and checking for an update and hoping it doesn’t take too much longer.
Congratulations on a fine, fine race!