Comments on RUN FASTER MOMMY!: Baltimore Marathon 2009 - the good, the bad, and t...

so I kno this is a very late comment on this post ...

2009-12-30T11:12:09.272-05:00

so I kno this is a very late comment on this post but i just found your blog (which i love!). I live in Baltimore and decided to to the 5k just for fun. All i had was a little 5k and between the awful humidity/weather/hills that day I was incredibly disappointed as well. But hey you finished! I know its easy to get caught up in times but think about how many people would have just walked off the course and given up. You're an inspiration!

Aww, I'm so sorry that it wasn't your day....

2009-10-21T20:02:27.174-04:00

Aww, I'm so sorry that it wasn't your day. That must have been a miserable 10 miles. I really hope your relay is great!

ugg marathons are just HARD and to have stomach is...

2009-10-14T23:29:10.958-04:00

ugg marathons are just HARD and to have stomach issues on top of that is even HARDER!! but you made it to the finish line and that is the most important thing!! CONGRATS :)

Hubby and I have a saying "you're not a r...

2009-10-14T20:46:34.731-04:00

Hubby and I have a saying "you're not a real runner unless you have diarrhea during a race." HA! i am SO sorry you had such a rough time. congrats on fighting through and finishing!! now ON to the next one!

I'm so sorry. We all have awful runs. And, I...

2009-10-14T12:43:15.538-04:00

I'm so sorry. We all have awful runs. And, I can only imagine the stomach issues. Let's just say that I've been contributing a fair amount to the fertilization of bushes up here in DC lately and am worried that something similar will happen to me on race day. All of this counts towards "scar tissue" that will help you run a better race the next time. Debrief with yourself; figure out what funked up your stomach; and carry on! Because that's all we can do!

Wow- that is quite the race report. I am so, so, s...

2009-10-14T11:51:32.825-04:00

Wow- that is quite the race report. I am so, so, sorry that you had to deal with stomach issues. That's just really unfair given all the hard work and effort you put into training. Very frustrating. Don't feel guilty about leaving the babies at home. Sometimes you have to do something for YOU so that your needs are met, in and turn allowing you to give more back.

awwww I think we have all had a race that just wen...

2009-10-13T17:12:49.536-04:00

awwww I think we have all had a race that just went horribly wrong for one reason or another...yup I walked 16 miles in San Diego because my IT suddenly flaired up...I slowed to a 20 minute mile at one point. But you know what, you proved what an indominable spirit runners have and you finished. Can you even imagine how great that will be for yoyur kids to know and understand?! It doesn't always go perfectly but you can find strength you didn't know you had to go on.

Sorry about the "issues." That's a h...

2009-10-13T16:19:49.452-04:00

Sorry about the "issues." That's a huge bummer. But, good for you for sticking it out and finishing. Way to GO!!!!!!!!

Wow Heather. Even though my baby isn't here ye...

2009-10-13T10:20:24.960-04:00

Wow Heather. Even though my baby isn't here yet (10 more days til d-day!), I can totally see myself having this type of a breakdown as well. I hope to train for next year's Marine Corps marathon - but will I feel guilty every time I head out for a training run and leave my baby? Is it selfish of me to crave long runs and races in these last days of my pregnancy? Shouldn't I just be happy to be a mommy soon? But I think we do deserve these hobbies- running makes us even better mothers. What would we be like if we didn't have running??

"Maybe I really do have too much on my plate....

2009-10-13T07:17:32.198-04:00

"Maybe I really do have too much on my plate. Maybe I'm just not meant to be a "marathoner". You ARE a marathoner, and a damn tough one. You finished the marathon. You earned that "bling." You toughed it out when most people would have quit. You accomplished something that only 1% or so of our country has accomplished. Great job. It's tough enough to complete a marathon when you're feeling well, never mind when you endure what you did. We're all very proud of you. Don't let this stop you from running another marathon. Consider it a learning experience. Did you eat or drink anything that you don't normally have?? Congrats again...you're one tough woman.

Well, I've never been through that during a ma...

2009-10-12T21:54:34.274-04:00

Well, I've never been through that during a marathon, but I can certainly say I've had that on a few runs and it's no good. Unfortunately, not all of them can be fabulous... but you know what? That's what makes the other ones all that much better. Be proud of yourself... you still finished. Despite all that, you still crossed that line. And that, my friend, is still an accomplishment.

Hope you feel better soon.

I'm so sorry you're disappointed....I can ...

2009-10-12T16:33:30.044-04:00

I'm so sorry you're disappointed....I can "hear" the pain in your words. Upset tummies are the worst. I can't go more than 8 miles without Immodium. I plan on carrying it with me on M-day! If it makes you feel any better, with my current leg issues, your finish time is my new GOAL time. Good to know that the recovery socks really help! ((HUGS)) and healing!

OMG!!! It wasn't you're fault...it was out...

2009-10-12T13:38:52.923-04:00

OMG!!! It wasn't you're fault...it was out of your control but you fi nished. You will do better next time!

so sorry to hear about your stomach troubles, but ...

2009-10-12T13:37:17.075-04:00

so sorry to hear about your stomach troubles, but congrats on sticking it out and finishing the marathon! any ideas of what could have caused the stomach issues? how was the pre-race week nutrition and hydration? nothing new on race day, right? doesn't sound like it, just asking. hopefully you can figure out whatever caused it so it doesn't happen again!

congrats on finishing the marathon; there will be another one!

You went out there and gave the good fight. I lot...

2009-10-12T13:22:30.690-04:00

You went out there and gave the good fight. I lot of people would have dropped out. You will have redemption - you just never know when it will come. The marathon is a heart breaker.

That sucks! I felt awful when reading about your ...

2009-10-12T11:04:14.918-04:00

That sucks! I felt awful when reading about your experience. Yes, there will be other races, but I don't know if that's any consolation right now. You put in so much work to make this race great, it must be very frustrating. Just know you're not alone and I for one appreciate your honesty and willingness to share your experience with us.

ugh, I'm sorry that things didn't turn out...

2009-10-12T09:25:19.317-04:00

ugh, I'm sorry that things didn't turn out like you hoped, your poor stomach. But you did finish it, you didn't quit, which is huge! Maybe this will be your one crappy race (no pun intended) and all the rest you do will be great!

Wow. What a race report Heather! Not quite what I ...

2009-10-12T08:55:31.301-04:00

Wow. What a race report Heather! Not quite what I was expecting. I literally just blogged this morning about how races are such a gamble, you never know what to expect or how it will turn out. Yours certainly took an unexpected turn with the GI issues. Slogging through the last 10 miles in your condition is certainly an accomplishment! You are one tough woman. Congratulations on finishing, even if you don't feel like a congrats is in order right now. 26.2 miles is a tremendous feat no matter how you cross the line.

Congrats on finishing! I have had similar stomach...

2009-10-12T07:40:39.345-04:00

Congrats on finishing!

I have had similar stomach/GI issues int he past, especially in conjunction with GU.

I'm so sorry!!! =( Feel better, now I'm ...

2009-10-12T07:09:07.361-04:00

I'm so sorry!!! =( Feel better, now I'm nervous for my hubs...he has his first marathon this weekend. UGh!

HUGE congrats for persevering through GI issues to...

2009-10-12T03:02:21.842-04:00

HUGE congrats for persevering through GI issues to FINISH!!!

And I like that advice & will remember it - slow down if I'm not having fun :)

Heather, I did a century ride 5 years ago in Lak...

2009-10-12T00:52:08.665-04:00

Heather,

I did a century ride 5 years ago in Lake Tahoe and had the same kind of issues for the first 70 miles of the ride. It is one of those things that happen that you have no control over. Makes for a miserable day.

You should feel very proud for continuing to put one foot down in front of the other, when it would have been so easy to stop.

There will be better days ahead for you at this distance.

Marathons are hard.

You are tough.

Livestrong!!!

Well, Crap! That's a shame. Walking ten mile...

2009-10-12T00:30:47.693-04:00

Well, Crap! That's a shame. Walking ten miles, while others are running, can take FOREVER! My heart hurt, reading your story.

Aww. I'm so sorry. That just sucks to work so ...

2009-10-11T22:57:33.967-04:00

Aww. I'm so sorry. That just sucks to work so hard and then not have it the way you imagined. You'll redeem yourself! I can totally relate with the emotional stuff. Once I hit a certain milage (and my heads not all *there* :)) thinking about the kids always brings on the tears. ;)

Aw Heather, sorry to hear that the race didn't...

2009-10-11T22:08:11.436-04:00

Aw Heather, sorry to hear that the race didn't go as planned. Congrats on pushing through a very tough second half.