This race was bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S

"I'm going to die. Its too hot. I am not going to finish." - Mile 16

Lets do a little Quentin Tarantino action and now go back to the beginning to see what made me text my sister this.

The New Jersey marathon would be my second marathon (3rd one I have train for). After being out for 4 weeks do to some sexy f'ankles, I was back into running and even PRed in my 1/2 marathon. But now this was a whole new chapter. A chance to show that I could come back from a crazy injury; a chance to run 26.2 miles once again...and I was terrified.

Almost the same sign as last years. I LOVE IT!

Headed to Jersey. :D

At the expo

Team Banana!

My sister Jenna and her boyfriend Alex were going to join me in Jersey to cheer me on so we all headed to Long Branch, NJ Saturday afternoon for the tiny expo (compared to San Diego RnR and Boston's expos). I got my number then it was off to check into the sketchiest motel ever (sorry I booked that creepy place). We went to The Olive Garden for some carb loading. That has to be one of the greatest restaurants ever. I could drink that salad dressing.
I was still nervous about the next day I tried my best not to even think about the day to come.

I had decided to "dress up" and wear all yellow. I did this to remind myself that this was going to be just for fun, I hadn't fully trained and I really was probably not going to have an amazing PR day so I might as well laugh and enjoy the day. We renamed ourselves Team Banana! After all, I looked like a running banana!

See there was even a giant inflatable monkey! TEAM BANANA!

The we got to the start area at 7:30 and with a race not starting until 9, we had a lot of time to kill. But after lining up in a non coral start (wtf Jersey!?), saying goodbye to Jenna and Alex, I was off.
Everything was going well. I was running 3 minutes and walking 1. I was in my head running my own race. The race started on the ocean where it was chilly but as SOON as we took the first turn away from the water front, BAM. I got slapped by humidity like I called its mother a name. It felt about 30 degrees warmed inland.
Right before mile 1 I got passed by a squirrel (I passed him later - he took the head off and was walking).
The race was residential so many people were around with hoses and sprinklers offering the chance for the runners to get temporary relief. It was wonderful. Of course it was only great for that one second then it was hot water all over.

Peeling the banana skin back

I saw Jenna and Alex with their awesome sign (I didn't know they made it); It made my day! It was great to see them. They gave me some Gatorade and I was off again. When I crossed the bridge to hit mile 4 we passed by runners going to mile 8 and RunningLam saw me and yelled out. It was so nice to see him!
The next 5 miles were all the same to me. Hot. Humid. Sprinklers. Long lines for portapoties (did I mention I had to pee since mile 2?) and an occasional hot gross breeze. I was already feeling the heat.


The only thing that really kept me going was knowing I would soon seen Jenna and Alex again right before mile 9! You can tell how happy I was to see them...but if you look at how I was running you can see I was already in pain. I am a toe runner...I had started to get blisters at mile 4 so I think I started to try to run more heel-toe. They hooked me up with some Gatorade and I was off again.

Mile 12ish. RELIEF! Back on the board walk were a cool breeze saved my life.
"GIVE ME WATER!" I made Alex and Jenna buy my some water because that is all I really wanted. This was right after the 1/2 way point and I was so thirsty for cool water. I was envious of all the 1/2 marathoner. I had seen so many people pass out already, I was worried I could be next. The whole first 1/2 of the marathon was full of sirens.
After I recharged I was back on my way to do loop #2.

Getting sprayed with water

Trying to dry out my ear

DEATH on a stick. I was dying at this point. It was so hot. I had texted Jenna around 16 saying "I'm going to die. Its too hot. I am not going to finish." I really felt horrible. I didn't see how finishing was possible. I really thought I was going to pass out and be carried away in a stretcher. But knowing I was about to see Jenna and Alex again kept me going. I was so happy to see them right before mile 17. They have no idea!
Since I could look over and see the people at mile 21 I seriously considered how I could cheat without anyone noticing. I actually spend several minutes fantasizing about it as I continued to run.

If that look doesn't say how I was feeling at mile 21.5, nothing well. I asked Jenna to run/walk with me for a while. It was no longer a run 3 walk 1. I had changed it to a walk 1 run walk 1 back at mile 18 but at this point that was all forgotten too. It was now a run to X point and then walk until I can muster up enough energy and inner strength to go some more. Jenna was running with me and it felt like she was going at an 8 minute mile speed. I know it was probably only an 11 minute mile pace or something. I was so gone but I realized that there was a small chance I could sub 6.
I said goodbye to Jenna around mile 23.5 and was back on my own. I was miserable. I felt like I could cry...but I was too tired to produce tears. Jenna told me that it was hotter than Satan's bedroom and I agreed! I just wanted to make it back to the ocean so I could feel the breeze. I passed mile 24 and I knew I could finish but that sub 6 was going to be cutting it close.
I can say that it took every ounce of energy I had to push through and run when I did. I wanted to run the whole last mile, but that wasn't going to happen. I wanted to run the past .2 miles...but that didn't even happen.


I sprinted to the end (probably a 10.5 minute mile pace) and pushed through every ache and blister I had on my body. I crossed the finished and Jenna screamed my name. I looked at her with exhaustion and in my mind told her one minute but I probably just turned around and asked for water. I got some water and went to the med tent with Jenna and Alex. I needed ice. I needed to sit. I needed to drink water. I needed something.
They gave me ice and checked my vitals (no need for that, just wanted ice for my legs).

Team banana eating a banana. I don't even like bananas.

Not sure why but this is one of my favorite pictures of the day. I was on the phone with my mom.

I PRed by about 7 minutes. Official time: 6:00:40.22 (damn those 40 seconds and 22 milliseconds!). I couldn't be happier with my performance though. I had barely trained and it was 94 with high humidity. Lets be honest, I totally rocked that.
And what is to follow a marathon?
Margaritas. YUM YUM YUM.
Thank you for all of your support. I really felt so touched to get everyone's messages. Thank you SO SO SO much to my wonderful sister and Alex. You guys really saved me out there. No way I could have finished with out you guys!
That race was the hardest race I have ever had to do in my entire life. I hope I never have to do that again! Next race is Marine Corps in October! I can't wait. I have a feeling this will be my race! :D
Now I just have to deal with my 45 blisters and sore legs and arms :(