I have been training for this marathon and since we're still allowed to run in local parks, I'm able to run everyday now that my work schedule is more flexible working from home. School have been closed for the rest of the school year and will continue to homeschool Noah at home. Beside his schoolwork, I take care of his P.E. and take him with me on all my runs in the mornings. Although, he doesn't run, he follows me on his bike.
Noah wanted to follow me on his bike for my full marathon Saturday, April 25th. He said he has been able to go with me on my 20 mile run and he didn't even feel tired so, he could totally handle 6 more miles with me. I told him okay, but it will be a bit warmer outside this time and you'll have to be ready to run by 7:00 a.m. is that okay with you? He said, "yes, no problem!" How do say no to that? I was happy to have my sidekick go with me since I wouldn't be able to take my running buddy Dash with me this time. It would be too many miles and way too hot for her. The last thing I want to do is kill my dog! Besides, the most she can run at a time is 20 miles.
Friday evening we went to go work on our garden at Eddie's mom's place in the country. We bought all kinds of things to plant. Watermelon, jalapeño peppers, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, melon, green beans and corn. I took my mom out there and that was the first time to get her out of the house since this COVID-19 mess started and knew she would enjoy that. We took her to a plant nursery before heading to Eddie's mom's place and of course she bought some plants for her home. It was nice to see her at peace out there and shopping is her thing (like me). I of course made sure she wore a mask and practiced social distancing. She even wanted to help out with the garden. She loved the horses and mule out there. It's a nice escape from the big city and very peaceful out there.
I didn't realized that the time got away from us and I wasn't able to go to the store and buy my chewable gu I use as fuel to run my full marathons and it was too late to order them online too!! I thought maybe I had one left in my running bag and would check when I got home. When we got home, I checked my bag and I had nothing for fuel tomorrow other than my coconut water and one package of almond butter I found. I had no other choice but to use what I had.
We woke up at 6:00 a.m. and tried to take care of business (in the bathroom) before running like I normally do, but it wasn't happening. So, I just took toilet paper with me in case I need it. I did eat half a banana and gave the other half to Noah to eat. I did take the almond butter, but knew that wouldn't be enough. Oh well, decided to run anyway. We started at 7:02 and the temperature was 57 degrees and climbing. I knew it was going get be a warmer marathon than I would like it to be, but decided to just listen to my body and make sure Noah is okay. This is his first time to cycle a full marathon with me and he was my number one priority. I packed two 8oz water bottles in my running belt. One full of water for him and one full of coconut water for me.
I started of feeling great and had a good pace, but wasn't able to maintain a 8:00 pace per mile like I normally do because of the temps. I tried to run in the shade as much as I could and of course wore tons of sunscreen. Noah and I encountered two coyotes on the trail and it freaked me out. I tried to stay calm and just told Noah to keep moving and not pay them any attention. I wanted to get my phone out to video them, but was too freaked out! I just prayed they would not attack us and had my taser ready if they came at us. One of them was about 12 feet away as we ran by it and he just keep looking at us. I have NEVER been that close to one in my life! I kept my eye on him to until we disappeared into the the trail. Noah of course that was pretty cool...geez!
At about mile 8, my stomach was talking to me and I had to make a pit stop to the restroom just like I figured I would. Thank goodness this porta potty had enough toilet paper so didn't have to use mine. I felt better afterwards and continued running up towards the town of Benbrook. Due to all the rain, the river crossing to get me over towards Benbrook was super muddy and it had huge branches covering it and too dangerous for us to cross over, so I decide to turnaround and head back track. I figured I would get the extra miles up toward the other side of downtown Fort Worth toward Northside. That area is more lonely, but I had my taser with me, Noah and there were more people out. Since everything else is closed right now, more people are out in the parks walking, cycling, running, with family or solo and figured there may be more people out that way too.
At about half marathon, it started getting warmer and there was an cloudy overcast and told Noah I hope that sun stays behind those clouds. He had one EarPod on so he could hear bikers come behind us. I was listening to an audio book "Born to Run" and had it low enough to hear him talk to me. I always heard that was a great book and figured now is a good time to listen to it. We saw a couple of weirdos on the trail but we just minded out own business and glad there were plenty of other people on the trail too. We stopped for a couple water breaks but, at mile 20 I bonked! I was hot, felt dehydrated and started to get hungry. I ate my almond butter, but didn't help. I slowed my pace like a lot and felt like my jog was more like a speed walk. The last two miles were brutal! I stopped to drink some of his water because mine was gone and it was so hard to pick up and jog again. My feet hurt and fatigue really started to kick in. Noah, kept saying how much longer mom?? He was tired of me going slow (he later tells me). I just kept saying one more mile almost there with a smile and so bad wanted to just quit and walk the rest of the way. But I walked and then got back to jogging until we finished. I yelled and said DONE!! He got a huge smile on his face and instantly took my pic and put it on Snapchat and I took a picture of both of us. I was so proud of finishing and completing our first marathon together. I didn't care that this was my slowest marathon EVER. My first marathon was faster than this! It was about my dedication to complete a marathon that was canceled and sharing this experience with my son because he wanted to. To me, that is way better than a medal, finishing 1st in my division, or even placing. We did this together and that is something I'll always cherish forever! Love that boy!
Keep on running and stay safe!
Lydia Calahan
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