This past weekend the 32nd annual Wineglass Marathon, 3rd annual Wineglass 1/2 Marathon, and 2nd annual Wineglass 5k were held in Corning, NY. This particular race has become an annual event for my family. My brother currently resides in the Corning area and it makes for a great family visit and event filled weekend.
This year, we decided to make it as full of a family affair as we could. My children, Hadley and Payne, were in the 5k. My father had originally planned to but he is in need of knee replacement from an injury he sustained in his teens and opted to be the families photographer. My brother, husband, and I were in the 1/2 marathon. My mother in the full marathon.
On the Thursday prior to the race, there was an email sent out by the race director about weather conditions. In our experience from the past two years, it was 38 degrees and rain in 2011. And in 2012, it was a comfortable 50 to 60 degrees. For 2013, we were warned of heat, humidity, and the need to hydrate. Great. You never know. It is all a roll of the dice.
On Saturday, the Wineglass 5k was scheduled with a 8 am start. We arrived early. Hadley and Payne were excited. My husband and I planned to run with our assigned child but the kids were in charge of what happened. Sorry! Our kiddos were not running in a strange city all by themselves. We gathered at the start line with the other 446 entrants. I don't know that I've ever run in a 5k that big!
It was hot. In the past several years, I have ran in several races but none that I remember sweating this much for a 5k in 45 minutes. Payne crossed the line at 40:38 was #399 out of 448. Hadley crossed the line at 45:04 was #418 out of 448. She did well. Her face was red. She was covered in sweat. We stopped and drank at the water station. She was in charge to a point. Then momma kicked in. Afterwards, she looked at me and said "You know I am really proud of myself. I ran my first 5k marathon. That really wasn't easy. I'm proud." For you runners reading this .... you know why that entire statement is not only funny but wonderful and 100% truthful.
We went home cleaned up and spent the rest of the day sight seeing. That evening we decided to pass on the normal carb loading at a local restaurant. We opted to have pasta at my brothers and hang out. All were in bed by 10 pm. Early morning the next day. The four runners had a 5:30 am wake up call. The races had an 8 am start but the shuttle buses stopped at 7 am. We were all up. Prerace fuel was had. I think my hubby was nervous. He was up about an hour early.
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| Myself, hubby John, mom Julie, and lil brother Norm |
We were ready. Arrived at the finish line to catch the shuttle. We said our goodbyes to our momma. She headed to the full bus and the three of us headed off to the 1/2 bus. The shuttles were very nicely done. Orderly. Fast. Efficient. Great. We arrived at the start early of course. Everyone needed to hit the port-o-potties. We watched the bomb sniffing dog check everywhere. And I noticed some of the other new security measures. It started to rain and the crowd groaned. But it ended up being short lived. The clouds started to part a little and blue was out. I started to think about taking my shirt off and doing just the bra thing BUT Jen is apparently not that comfortable! Originally they were going to have a two tier start for both races based on your reported times. That was nixed. They did have us slightly funnel to the start as there have been issues with people going around the start mat and their timers not registering. We sandwiched ourselves between the 2:30 pacer and 3:00 pacer. In that time frame was great for John and I. Plus, we knew Norm could just pass people as he wanted. There was no doubt he would be much faster.
The start horn sounded. We wished each other good luck. Off we went. My goal was to keep a good pace. Run as far as the pain in my foot would allow. Then walk as needed but resume as quickly as possible. I would be drinking at all aid stations. I wore no watch or Garmin. I had no cares. My brother was gone. Not to be seen again until the finish. My hubby was behind me. The first several miles, I was doing great. At the second aid station, as I grabbed a water, my hubby passed me. He would continue to be in eye sight until around mile 8. I ran. I slowed in pace but really tried to keep moving as long as the pain was bearable. After mile 8, it started to get worse. So, the walking came into play. I made sure it was a fast walk. I never stopped. My legs felt great. My cardio was fine. My mind was in a good place. Around mile 11, I decided that my pace might be very slow but I was not going to let anyone pass me from there on out. I held to that. It was hard but I did it. I was sun burnt. I was so hot. I smelt so bad. I was never so happy to see a finish line. It ended up being 86 degrees, sunny, and humid.
Here are our results ....
My brother finished in a mat time of 2:09:03 and chip time of 2:06:05 ... see how terrible his not training is. GAG! Does anyone else wanna choke him? He came in as #668 out of 1,854 total runners in the 1/2.
My husband, John, finished in a mat time of 2:41:49 and a chip time of 2:38:40. He did not train at all. Not even a run to the car. He came in as #1517.
My results were a mat time of 2:51:23 and a chip time of 2:48:24. I came in as #1616. This was basically the same time as my last 1/2 which I hated and loathed. This was the best race that I have ever ran at any distance. Across the board. For me this race was everything that I have ever wanted from racing. It showed me how strong I am mentally. How strong I am physically. And that I am completely capable of so much more. I enjoyed each and every single painful moment of this race. I learnt more about myself and what I need from running in Corning, NY than I can ever explain. I enjoyed the no watch or Garmin. I enjoyed just running. Just doing. Just doing what I need for me.
I could hear my husband yell. Of course, my brother. You can always hear the both of us. And my dad. I crossed. Had my medal placed on my neck and made my way around the barricades to get to them. I was met with a sick daughter. She was fevered and not feeling well. I grabbed some money from my father and headed down the street a few blocks to get medicine at the grocery store. Yep, still sweaty, smelly, and in full race gear. She napped in the car. I arrived back and gave her some meds.
During this time, the three 1/2 runners had planned to hit the local YMCA for showers and then head back to wait. Hubby had already put on his dry clothes and was sitting with our daughter as she slept in the car. I forgot to put clean undergarments in my bag so taking a shower and placing a gross sweaty bra back on was not on the top of my list. Norm headed for the shower. I opted to dry in the parking garage and put on a few articles of dry clothes. I changed my shoes. My poor pinkie toe was the size of my big toe. Talk about swelling. Explains the amount of pain. I threw on my Nike slides....this is noted for a reason. After a little while, we headed back down to cheer and wait for our mother to come across in the full. We saw a finish line proposal. Watched Burt Yasso cross the finish line. And watched so many amazing people complete an amazing feat no matter their finish time. I realized during this time that one of my 2014 goals is to volunteer at a race. It will be done.
My mother ran the full last year with a goal time of 6 hours. She crossed in 6:18. She was pissed. I knew she would try another but didn't think it would be this year. She run/walks and it works for her. Her run and walk are not that much different in pace but does it really matter. She was out there on this hot day in all black. And we were all hoping she got her goal. As the clock ticked, I was standing with my father. He was starting to worry. I was starting to worry. My son was starting to worry. There were a few "Come on Julie." A few "Come on mom." And a few "Come on Grandma." The clock hit 6 hours and she was not in sight. My dad said "She wants to beat last year. She has to do this. I know she can, right?" I responded "Yep." We have all watched her train for this race like no other. Him especially. We knew her goal and that she would not stop. We reached the 6:15 time and I started to really worry. I just felt that some thing had went wrong.
Around 6:30, I could see the look on my fathers face. He was worried. My hubby and son had already walked to the end of the street to see if they could see her anywhere. My father looked at me and said "I need to find out how long this clock runs. If she was hurt wouldn't they bring her back here? No one has called my phone." And he checked his phone again. He and my children had been in the same place around the finish line since around 9:15 am. So the race volunteers kinda "knew" them at this point. Some commented on us still being there. He went up and asked about the clock. He came back and reported that it would run until the 7 hour mark. He said "Here is my stuff. I'm going out." I told him that John and Payne had already went. He kinda looked around. In that few minute period the two race volunteers he spoke to got the race director. She found my mom.
She came over and told my father that mom was last. She was three miles out. The truck was following her. She had sent out water to her. A cyclist was with her and mom had asked her to ride ahead so she could focus on her. She seemed strong at this point and that she would not quit. We all kinda laughed. The race director continued to talk but I have no idea what she said. I threw my stuff on the ground and left. I said "See ya." I was going to find my mother. The race director yelled to me asking if I needed water. I just remember yelling "No." There was no stopping me. I was going to get her. I was going to make sure she was okay. I was going to help her in anyway possible. If I had to carry her I would have. I went out in those Nike slides ... which I no longer would recommend! I passed my hubby and son. I gave them the quick rundown as I plowed by. I told my husband "I'm gonna find her." I passed a few other competitors and told them to keep moving and they were doing great.
When I saw her in the distance. Her walk was slow. Her head was down. Her shoulders were slumped. I started to cry. The not pretty cry. I stepped in the street. Threw my hands in the air and yelled "HEY SLOWPOKE. COME ON MOMMA!" I continued to walk. The cyclist saw me and rode up. She made sure I was there for her. I confirmed it as I walked. She explained to me that she was now worried because my mother had stopped talking and seemed to be shutting down. I told her to let me get to her and I'd go from there. She handed me all the extra water. When I got to her .. I so wanted to cry but I didn't. I didn't want her to worry. I asked for her water bottle and rag. Gave her some cold water to drink and put some on the rag. She told me hungry. Food was so wrong. She had sweat dripping from her nose but her hair was dry. She had "chicken skin". Her legs were swollen over her knee braces. She said "I'm gonna finish." I wanted to hug her, pick her up, and carry her. I gave her a distance reference. She was sun burnt. I keep asking her is she wanted a drink, etc. I knew I couldn't stop her. John and Payne arrived. They both told her she was doing great. Payne walked ahead so she could focus on him. She was wobbling. She complained about the amount of pain in the back of her knee and it would "catch" every so often. We rounded the corner and walked across a large bridge. She told me she wanted a Diet Coke and hamburger from Burger King when she was done. She covered her head as we passed over the bridge. She has had some vertigo issues recently.
We made the turn for the finish line. The sweeper truck honked and used its lights. The race director had left the finish line up. The clock was still running. I explained to her that it was all done for her. It was all still there simply because of her. People on the sidewalk cheered. Runners from restaurants lining the streets came out and cheered. There were runners that stayed at the line because they knew she was out there. Everyone yelled. My brother hollered and it echoed down the street. We all know that something amazing and crazy happened that day. The look on my fathers face was one that I have never seen. My brother hugged her. I went to grab her as she bent over. The medal was placed around her neck and a resounding "You earned this today" was said. They had taken away the food and drinks. In our families fashion we joked. Pictures were taken. She was hugged by strangers. We told her now she had to walk up the steps in the parking garage to get to the car. Don't worry ... we brought the car down. The staff wanted her to go to medical but she said no. My brother is a nurse. He joked no mouth to mouth would be given. Anything but that. In the car we went and off to Burger King it was!
No smalls today baby! One large Diet Coke and a crappy hamburger was all she wanted. When we got back to my brothers. She sat there. She looked at me and said "If I hadn't seen you I would have really been hard pressed not to quit right there on that street. I really would have quit." I explained to her about the runners staying there. The people in the restaurants. The line and clock being left up. About it all being because of her. For her. And due in part to my father. I know that day she did not fully comprehend it. One day she may. I know we all understand it. I will never ever forget the 2013 Wineglass Marathon. She was also excited to tell us that she spoke to Burt Yasso at the start. What I learned that day about strength and perseverance is unmeasurable. I will never be able to fully express my gratitude to the race directors, volunteers, support staff, and running community in general for that day. I have heard from a resident of the city that cheered her at mile 21 and another at mile 24. It is amazing.
This lady is my mother. Her name is Julie. She is amazing. I love her more than she will ever know. She finished in 7 hours 44 minutes and 49 seconds. She missed her mark by 1 hour 44 minutes and 49 seconds. She was the last competitor to cross that line. Three bus loads full of competitors in the full stopped and called it at the half mark. Over 1,000 either did not compete or finish that day. Some people will say she should have stopped. She should have listened to her body. None of us live in her body or mind so we can not judge. And unless you have towed that line in no way shape or form should you ever judge someone on their race decisions.
I have never been so proud to say my mother finished last in the 2013 Wineglass Marathon.
So now the question is .... WILL SHE DO IT AGAIN? She says no more fulls. Only halfs from now on. But in the next breath she said if I would have done this or that. We will see from here!
