Crossing the finish line

Last Saturday night, I had trouble falling asleep. I got to bed pretty early -- 10 PM. But I tossed, I turned. I woke up three times. I yelled incoherent things in my sleep. And I had dreams that I missed waking up on time.

But I got out of bed at 5:30 AM, right on schedule. I'd make it in time for my first half marathon.

The family piled into the car at 6 AM (ish...), heading down to Lambeau Field for the start of the 10th Annual Green Bay Cellcom marathon.

I've been training since January to run the complete 13.1 miles.

In the Atrium, we sat around, stretched, listened to music. All 10,000+ of us. Amazing.

Awe-struck by the volume of people that just showed up to this thing, I couldn't believe all the runners AND spectators wandering around before the gun start.

I began at the start line with Michelle's mom, Brenda, and Brenda's cousin, Mike. Both had run before, and encouraged me I'd do great. All I could think about was running through Lambeau Field and crossing the finish line. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

We started off at 7:30 AM. Masses of runners huddled together out of the corrals. I was going to run over someone, or get run over. Holy crap. Looking ahead, it's like an ocean of heads bobbing. The first two miles, I felt like I didn't need to do anything ... this river of people was going to push me along the entire way.

By the first water stop, some people broke off. I grabbed Gatorade (oops), tossed it and realized water was at the second station. I knew around Mile 3 I'd see Gregor, which kept me going.

Right after though (about Mile 4 or 5), I thought, 'Wow, this would be a whole lot better if I were at Mile 10 or 11 right now.' No dice. My side cramped up a little, and I slowed my pace so I wouldn't overexert myself. I refused to walk.

I noticed some people passing me, and watched the sweat rings around the necks of people ahead I was keeping pace with slowly get bigger and bigger.

Around Mile 8, runners pass the Gu station. I've never had this crap in my life, and didn't want to do anything differently than training. I grabbed some anyway, and kept it in my left hand for three miles. The (briefly) cold packet helped for two reasons: 1.) It was like an ice packet in my hands for about 5 minutes, and 2.) When I run while training, I usually carry a small water bottle in my left hand. I kept it there to psychologically put me in the place I usually was when running at home. The adrenaline rush wasn't there, so I needed to try something else. It worked.

In two more miles, I'd see Gregor again ... which was encouraging. I finally found my groove. I started passing people, and felt like a ran faster when the course headed east, because we were looking into the sun. Each water station, I'd briefly walk while drinking and hop back in to the run.

At the Mile 10 water station, all of the volunteers and spectators were cheering, on both sides of the runners. It felt amazing. I told myself I only had three more miles. This was cake.

A little after Mile 11, the half marathon and marathon split. I thought, 'Thank GOD I don't have to run another 14 miles right now.'

I knew I was close. I could hear people yelling ahead. In less than a mile I'd be heading into Lambeau.


Running up to the gate entrance, a bunch of spectators were cheering as runners were entering the stadium. Then I heard the familiar "WHOOOOOOOOO-OO-OO" to my right -- from Gregor. And he was with my mom, George and Matthias! Oh HAI! (Pffft I GOT THIS.) I'll see you guys in 10 minutes!

Running into the stadium, we got to come out where the Packers do during games. "Celebrate Good Times" was blasting and the spectator section cheered for passing runners. I passed at least a half dozen people while looping the stadium. Pushing myself didn't even hurt. I knew I was almost done.

I saw the finish line about 200 yards ahead, when I noticed Gregor's mom waving as I passed. And there he was with his dad too!


I shot to cross the finish line under 2:30:00. I crossed at 2:06:38, but because my chip time was 2 minutes behind, I actually made the 13.1 in 2:04:06. That's a pace of 9:28 per mile. Awesome.

The next day, I signed up for the Lakefront Marathon on Oct. 4.