Thursday, April 23, 2009

3:56

Last Sunday I ran my second marathon! I know, not exactly a peaceful Sunday stroll but most marathons are scheduled for Sundays and I have to run 'em when I can between birthing babies.

The "River City Marathon" started in Folsom (where we live) and ended at a park in Sacramento. It was MUCH smaller than the Portland Marathon that I did a year and a half ago and a way different experience. Seriously, it was some dude at the starting line with a stop watch that just said, "on your mark, get set, go!" and all 115 of us started running.

Brad dropped me off and then met me around mile 5 before heading back to get the kids (my mom spent the night to be with them in the morning) and bringing them back to cheer me on. They showed up around mile 16 (where this pic was taken) and it was so motivating to see them! Then they met me around mile 20. Having my cutie kids cheering me on was so cool.

It was a beautiful course and I felt unbelievably well until mile 24. I was so tired and hot (record heat that day) and thirsty and I didn't know if there was going to be another aid station before the end. I was seriously blacking out and then out of nowhere, there was Brad up on a ridge! I asked him for water and he ran back to the car for a bottle and then chucked it at me. MY HERO!

Those last couple miles were tough. I was wearing my friend's Garmin Forerunner and as I came up on my watch saying 26.2 I still couldn't see the finish line. I asked a lady cheering on the sideline if I was almost there and she assured me ".1 mile!" A few minutes later, still no finish line. I asked another bystander who told me ".2 to go!" What?! How is the finish line getting farther away? My watch actually said 26.52 when I finished. I don't know if the watch or the casual course was off by .3 miles, but either way I met my sub-4 hour goal and finished in 3:56! Hooray! And one cool part about running with such few people is that I placed 3rd in my division. I don't run to compete, just to complete so I'm pretty proud of my 3rd place title. And boy did that Sunday afternoon nap feel good!

16 comments:

Nate Sarah Cooper and Hank said...

way to go for sub-4 thats awesome!!! I am hoping to do my second Marathon in december I guess we will see how I do.

GVIL said...

Wow Maylin!! You are amazing!! Seriously, you are my hero! haha
Just looking at your pic gave me so much inspiration :)
Congrats on great time and placing 3rd!! Time for baby no 4??

GVIL said...

Oh ya, GVIL is jessie O btw (i was signed into my work email!)

Robin said...

You GO Maylin!!! What an inspiring example you are to your children! I love how you write! You put me there cheering you on with tears of great pride for you. love the strength and endurance you constantly have! : )

Dani said...

I had no idea you were doing another marathon! Way to go lady! I am proud of your time and placement. Definitely inspiring... any stow aways this time we need to know about? :)

Amy said...

I am not sure how you have found time to prepare for a marathon in between raising 3 beautiful children. You are really amazing. Really,

Pieces of me... said...

You're awesome! Seriously, I'd be done by mile 1... Way to go!

Miche said...

You are amazing! CONGRATS on 3rd place, that is great!

The Prigmore Family said...

MAYLIN!!! I hope you got a trophy because you deserve one. A big shiny one with your name on it. Maylin Superhero Falke. How do you do it? I can barely drive in the car for 26 miles without stopping to pee or going through a drive thru for a milkshake.
I miss you guys! Come to SD and I will give you free zoo passes. And yes, our boys would be great little jedi friends.

snbjork said...

Maylin, you go girl!!! I'm with Jaime. You deserve a trophy. And I, too, have a hard time sitting in the car for that long. Can't imagine running for almost 4 hours. Insane! You're awesome!

Barry said...

Awesome Maylin, congratulations! You're faster than me. :)

Trujillo family said...

Way to go Maylin!! You are amazing!!

Unknown said...

Wow, that's amazing- good for you!!!

Nicole W. said...

You are an inspiration Maylin!!
I am running my first 12K around Lake Oswego this saturday. I want to do a half marathon and then MAYBE a full some day but I'm scared....26miles is a LONG way!!!!

Kristy said...

You seriously ROCK!

Karly said...

I don't know how you do it but WAY TO GO! You surely have come a long ways from our strolls around the neighborhood.