i have been waiting to write this report for a long time now. not necessarily the 2009 CIM report in particular, just the report that i had my day and finally got my BQ. it’s going to be a LONG one.
i can honestly say that having worked SO hard for this goal is making it, just like everyone said it would, THAT much sweeter. i am still kind of in shock, definitely on cloud 9, very proud of myself, and so incredibly overwhelmed by all the support and congrats i have received already. thank you all for making this day even that more special.
for those of you new to my blog, i set out for my first BQ attempt last year at CIM. it was my second marathon and i missed the BQ by just over 3 minutes, but took 20 minutes off my first marathon time. i was very proud of myself and even more determined to get it. i signed up for the eugene marathon and pretty much had a flawless training cycle. i was completely and utterly devoted to my training and very confident, but once race day came i completely fell apart. whether it was just an off day, a collapse from all the pressure or just not being mentally tough enough, it was a bad day and it took a while for me to heal from it.
i knew i wanted to run CIM again, but i didn’t want to wait that long, so i signed up for a tiny race in sacramento thinking that i liked smaller races and a double loop course would be a good idea for me. my training was just off, i often questioned why i was training for that marathon, but i went out there and gave it a shot, but didn’t really care enough that day to push through the tough spots. i learned so much about myself through all these races and everything i learned i used today. each of those marathons are all just part of my running story and part of shaping me into the runner i am today.
i used pfitz’s 9 week between marathon schedule after cowtown to get in shape for this race. i felt “on” again in my training and felt like i had a great short training cycle and i had some great shorter races in there too. i was confident that i could get this BQ, but i had been having some leg pains last week that made me really nervous for race day. i babied my legs like nuts and hoped that when i showed up at the start line everything would be ok. i had been pretty anxious all week for race day to get there, and then all of a sudden it was saturday and time to head to sacramento – eek!
chris and i drove up to sacramento on saturday morning after i woke up from over 10 hours of sleep. it was amazing. i was SO glad that i got such great sleep, since that night is pretty much the key night to get sleep. i was relaxed, excited, nervous, anxious, all of the above.
we got to the expo and i ran into a couple bloggers tina and glorybelle. it was very fun to see them both! then i saw amy and chatted with her for a bit. chris was running the relay so we met up with kristin and her boyfriend stephen who were on his team to get their packets and things situated, then we walked back to the hotel. i felt like i had been on my feet for too long which i was a little meh about, but it was ok. we got some food and then went to our hotel room which we stayed in for the rest of the night, besides my side trip to visit the girls (tara, maritza, nicole and danica) in their room. chris said it was the most boring day ever haha, but i was totally relaxed and getting my head in the game. i had brought my normal plain pasta dish, but there was no microwave so we just ordered some pasta from room service. we watched a movie that had a long look at a “welcome to boston” sign, and i couldn’t help but wonder if it was a sign. around 9:30/10 i finally fell asleep.
3:30am i woke up wide awake, but saw i still had 20 minutes to sleep so i let myself fall back asleep, ekkk. the alarm went off very soon and i hopped up ready to go. i typically have a little itsy tiny feeling like gah i am racing today, but i didn’t have that feeling today. i had coffee, an english muffin with peanut butter, and a banana and got my stuff ready to go. chris was running the first leg of the relay so he got to ride the bus with me which was very nice. we headed down to the hotel lobby to catch the bus just before 5. we got down there and it was SO packed, the lines didn’t move at all and i could see buses coming and going. they said we were supposed to have left by 5:15. time ticked by and eventually it was 5:30am and all of a sudden the lines were moving… but they were moving up the street to the host hotel to catch the buses up there. it was kind of a pain. by the time we got to the start line it was after 6:15 so chris and i hit the porta potty lines for one stop and then it was 6:45 and time to head to the start line!
we had bought throw away sweats so we didn’t have to check anything and it worked out great. it was COLD this morning (lower 30s) but i still planned on wearing my standard tempo shorts and tank (it was, and still is, my PR tank that i wore for CIM last year and shamrock half this year), i just added arm warmers and gloves. i found the 3:40 pacer and stood near his group and then he decided to move into the middle of the pack where i couldn’t reach him. amy found us here too, somehow we always find each other at start lines. we all took off our sweats, said our good lucks and were off! i crossed the start line 1:25 after the gun went off.
a very wise runner friend of mine had given me some advice after my last marathon which my goal had been to negative split. he explained to me the concept of “even effort” which definitely made sense. rather than trying to maintain a consistent pace all the way through a race, maintaining an even effort seems a little more logical since its more effort to hold on to a specific pace as you get further into the race. so my goal for this race was to run the first half in around 1:48, and then to hang on after that. it would give me an opportunity to slow down if i needed to and not to freak out since i had a little cushion. it wasn’t a huge cushion, but definitely seemed to be reasonable. i had on a 3:36 pace band for the first half as well as a 3:40 pace band since that was the ultimate goal.
the course starts out on a downhill and is pretty crowded. i could see the 3:40 pacer not far ahead so i figured i would be able to catch him eventually. i wore my fuel belt and had an 8oz water bottle with a sports top that i could chuck when i wanted, but gave me some extra water to start off with holding when i wasn’t too tired. i felt really good from the get go and the rolling hills started right away. up and down and up and down. i caught up to the pace group around mile 3 i think. (all my splits are from my garmin auto lap, so are off from the actual course, since i ran it a little long, but it’s close enough)
mile 1 – 8:10
mile 2 – 8:10
mile 3 – 8:02
i wasn’t really paying much attention to my watch but i could tell i was going faster than the 8:15 goal pace for the first half i was shooting for. i was hanging with the pace group though (they were going fast) and just decided to ride it out since i felt good. i had my music on and was getting in the zone. i was sipping water every mile (one thing about having the bottle in my hand was it made me drink often early since i wanted to get rid of it), and started my every-4-mile gus right on target. i had forgotten to take a salt capsule at the start, but i wasn’t too concerned since it was so cold out. i decided to take one at mile 6 just to be safe. i saw my parents in here sometime and a few other times out on the course.
mile 4 – 8:03 (gu)
mile 5 – 8:03
mile 6 – 8:20 (salt)
we kept on cruising along the rolling hills, and i heard some people complaining about the pacer’s pace. it was fine with me at the time since that’s where i wanted to be so i just kept on running right in the pack. it was still pretty cold out and it started to get pretty windy, so it was nice to have the pack to tuck into to block some of the wind.
mile 7 – 8:10
mile 8 – 8:15 (gu)
mile 9 – 8:19
yay mile 10 we are in the double digits now! i started to get a little tired in mile 9 and 10 but just brushed it off, i knew the half way point was coming up soon. every water stop we had gone through had been a cluster since i was in the pack and people would jump across to get water and i was avoiding them. there were a few elbows, a number of abrupt slow downs and general annoyance from this. around mile 12 the pacer started slowing way down (maybe to have a more even clock time for the half?) and i was getting frustrated by all the people, so i decided to pull ahead and started running on my own. i was feeling good and got a little adrenaline burst that i was actually in front of the pacer which hasn’t happened in any of my races.
mile 10 – 8:16
mile 11 – 8:12
mile 12 – 8:25 (gu)
everytime i took a gu i would feel better. if i could tell my energy was dying a little i knew it was time to gu. i was running ahead of the pack now and feeling good, although not having the people around me i really started to notice the wind. it was really windy out and we were running straight into it. it wasn’t easy and the rolling hills were taking their toll on my legs, but i just kept on going.
mile 13 – 8:24
half marathon from my watch (i looked as i crossed the mat) 1:48:06
mile 14 – 8:22
mile 15 – 8:36
i could feel myself slowing down, but i just tried to keep my pace going as i was working really hard against the wind. i had all these mental notes ready for when i started to feel bad. i knew i was going to slow down a bit in the middle, and i knew i didn’t need to freak out. i reminded myself of my half marathon and my 10k where i slowed in the middle but was able to pick up the pace again. so i just did what i could at that time and kept my legs moving. i would make sure to drink water, i would find a good song, i would try to kick my legs a little bit more, things like that to make it through the rough patches. i was happy when i crossed mile 16 because i had less than 10 to go… and from there on out the countdown started.
mile 16 – 8:27 (gu)
mile 17 – 8:24
mile 18 – 8:32
i was so close to 20 and that was a big one for me too. i was very happy to be getting close to it. every few miles i was checking my overall time to my pace band to make sure i was still on track and i was each time. although my cushion into 3:40 was getting a little smaller, i still had a cushion and i also had the extra 59 seconds. i was still slowing down a bit and i got to a point around mile 20 where i had to decide, i was either going to have to pick it up to keep on pace or i was going to watch the BQ slip away, again. in the middle of mile 21 there is an overpass you have to cross. its not that steep or that long but at mile 21 of a marathon it feels like a mountain. i remembered it very well from last year and how bad i wanted to walk, and as i approached it i made it up and over with no problem. i took my gloves off finally at the top of the bridge because i was so tired that everything felt like it was weighing me down. gloves were off now CIM, i am fighting you.
mile 19 – 8:33
mile 20 – 8:35 (gu)
mile 21 – 8:30
i am not sure what happened in the next couple miles but i was able to start picking up my pace again. i KNEW that if i held on it would be mine. i told myself to get it done TODAY, that i could take weeks off from running if i wanted, that i hadn’t pushed myself so hard already today to give up. the pacer was still behind me at that point so i knew i was doing fine, especially since they crossed the start before me. since i had been feeling better when i was taking gu i decided to force another one down around mile 22 just to give me the extra push.
mile 22 – 8:29 (gu)
mile 23 – 8:19
EVERYTHING hurt at this point. i could barely see straight. i was just running as hard as i could at that point. i would pick people in front of me to pass which helped distract me from how tired i was and how bad my legs were wanting to stop. around mile 24 i could hear the pace group coming from behind me. i saw i was right on goal pace and they flew by me. it was a little disheartening at the time and i tried to keep up with them but my legs just could not go any faster. i knew i was ok though, i was checking my pace band and i knew i just needed to hang on for a couple more miles.
mile 24 – 8:25
mile 25 – 8:24
i saw my parents and could barely pull my arm up to wave to them. i saw chris and his relay team (who finished 8/249 in their category with a time of 3:26:26!) and chris gave me a little hand motion to get going. i was pushing myself so hard at this point, i couldn’t see straight, my legs were on fire and i was using every ounce of energy i had left in me. mile 26 seemed to go on foreverrrrrr and i ran and ran and ran until the left hand turn when i knew we were almost there. i turned left one more time and saw the clock right in front of me. it was at 3:40:xx and the seconds were ticking off. i gave it every single bit of energy i had and i crossed the finish line at a clock time of 3:40:59 
i mean seriously? i checked my garmin and saw 3:39:35 and knew i had done it.
i mean seriously? i checked my garmin and saw 3:39:35 and knew i had done it.mile 26 – 8:27
last .32 – 2:42 (8:21 avg pace)
garmin: 26.32/3:39:35/8:20 avg pace
official chip time results: 26.2 miles/3:39:34/8:22 avg pace
i stopped and immediately had to grab the fence. i couldn’t see much and i was so lightheaded. a volunteer came over and helped me walk around to get my medal and get my space blanket. i saw katie on the other side of the fence and gave her a thumbs up. a very nice lady from the medical people came over and grabbed me and was walking me around. i saw stephen so she had him hop the fence to help too. chris and kristin were there soon (who i also gave a thumbs up to) and she had chris hop the fence to come help me and directed my friends to get me some food. she kept me walking and was talking to me but didn’t like my pale appearance and purple lips. i was pretty clear mentally but was having problems talking out the answers to them, partially because my lips/chin were frozen (which she did not like, but um hi i just ran for almost 4 hours in the cold windy weather). chris said it looked like i was looking straight through him when i would look at him. i just really wanted to sit down but she wouldn’t let me and just kept me walking around. i didn’t mind, i had just BQed and i would just keep on walking and do whatever anyone said.
finally she decided that i looked ok, but told chris that if i wasn’t getting better to take me to the medical tent. kristin brought me some soup and a banana, neither of which i wanted, but i did break into the bag of skittles i had bought post race, even if i only got a couple down. they got my warm clothes and got me dressed and we eventually made our way out to see my parents. i sat down for a while, did my text/facebook/twitter update (the pic below is from that time period – hence not looking too great) and started feeling better but still just needed to get warm and to eat something, but nothing sounded good.
we started walking back to the hotel and i ran into roadbunner who i got to congratulate on her awesome race. then i was walking by the food and saw them peeling a bunch of tangelos or whatever they are called and immediately wanted them. i grabbed a huge handful and ate them on our walk back.
i showered and felt back to normal then went to enjoy beer and pancakes with my parents and kristin and stephen. i was smiling the whole time and gave everyone a recap of it all.
my body is tired, my achilles/calf is pretty sore (it’s what was bugging me a bit this week), and my hips and back are really sore. i have a very nice blood blister on my toe and i am sure other battle wounds to be discovered. i have definitely shed a few tears today and i am sure there are many more to come, i am just SO excited and proud of myself and still cannot believe that i somehow pulled those last few miles. YAY!!
time goal and last goal of 2009: 3:40:59 or less – check!
non-time goals:
-i want to leave everything out on the pavement – definite check!
-i want to have no regrets – i have ZERO regrets about this race – check!
-i don’t want to feel like i gave up – i know i did not give up today – check!
-i want to fight through this race with everything i have – um yes – check!
-i want to be sore, the i cannot get out of bed on monday sore – we will see but i have a feeling i will definitely be sore tomorrow – check!
-i want to have a big cheesy smile at the end – well i was incoherent at the end, but after i had a big smile that is still plastered on my face – check!
i am sure i will be back soon with more thoughts on everything, i have a lot to reflect on from the past year! for now i am going to be resting and indulging and enjoying a much needed and deserved break! i have pretty much been in training for the entire year, so i think i can handle a week or 2 off lets hope.
lets hope.BQ!
the CIM girls – tara, nicole, danica, me and maritza
thank you again every one of you for ALL your support and encouragement. i always get so overwhelmed after races by it all and today am even more so. knowing you guys were all pulling so hard for me today definitely made me push even harder. you guys are amazing, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
wow – you really rocked it. way to leave it all out there.
Boston – here you come!!
i think my coach (likhaya) was running this today. haven't been able to see the results to see how it went for him.
YAY ARON!!! I've been waiting to *read* this report b/c I knew it would happen. You did such a great job and we're all so proud of you. I am sorry that I did not see you ONCE this weekend!
Oh well, next time 
Congrats again girly girl!
i <3 reading this. i had to read it twice to take in everything! you soooo left everything out on the pavement and i am wicked pumped for you.
and beer and pancakes?! together?! i guess whatever the super amazing bq-ing marathoner wants
Wow! I am so happy for you! BOSTON!!
I'm just so happy for you! You're truly an inspiration … what a great race you ran today
REVEL in it, girl! I knew you could do it! Great job.
00kate.com
I had to read this twice because I was so excited while I was reading it. I seriously have goosebumps. I love how you are so honest with yourselves and your readers; I feel like I was waiting at the finish line for you! Seriously, I couldn't be happier for you!
Congratulations, Aron! You earned it!
Congratulations! I follow your blog although I don't comment much. I loved reading this and am so happy for you! (I hope that doesn't sound creepy!)
Congrats again! What a great race report! And up so quickly! (Good idea though, I remember so much now but I am sure it will slip away quickly). Enjoy your celebration and recovery!
Great recap. Congratulations! You ran a wonderful race.
Awesome race report, so glad you didn't wait to get this up… because as much as you've been wanting to post it is as much as we've all wanted to read it! You took so much from your previous attempts and ran a great race, congrats Aron! Enjoy your victory!
I am so so so happy and excited for you! You've been working your little butt off for this day
I loved the raw emotion in your recap and feel free to ramble on more as you enjoy some well-earned time off and as more thoughts work their way out. 
congrats again, speedster!
This was so inspiring to read.
Congratulations on an amazing run!
You are awesome! I don't even know where to start! I am so proud of you, Danica, Tara, Maritza and Amy! I just couldn't brave those elements and the fact that you BQ'ed is just CRAZY! I was so anxious for you when I was at the finish and seeing the clock – my heart sank at 3:40:xx and you weren't there. Then all of a sudden I heard your name and cute little head appear and the clock said 3:40:5x!!!!
You all did awesome, but you especailly did just great! I can't wait to celebrate with you! Now we can have the real fun!
Awesome report! Enjoy it! You deserve it!!!
Wow, Aron! Congratulations!!
I think you've run the race every runner wants: Making a hard goal time and fighting tooth and nail for it until the end.
I am so happy for you. You deserve this so much.
And I LOVE what your gun time ended up being. NO DOUBT! What a sweet end to your BQ journey and an awesome year of running for you!
I'm glad you spotted me and I got to congratulate you in person. I loved your little "thumbs up!" I was thinking of you around 3:20 into the race and how you were out there fighting for it.
I cannot wait to follow your Boston journey
Great job, I"m so happy for you. You have worked so hard for this accomplishment. Congrats!
AMAZING! Congrats to you, you worked so hard for this and deserve it.
What a recap, Aron! Seriously was in suspense the entire time just wondering what was going to happen next. Congrats on making Boston!!! That takes the cake, and you definitely deserve it! Take care and rest!
Aron, simply awesome! Congratulations you definitely deserve it, and can't wait to read your Boston race report.
I don't have time to read the recap yet, but I promise I will get to it. I just wanted to give you your props.
CONGRATULATIONS girl. You deserve this!! I am so happy for you.
Great job, sounds like you let it all hang out!
i can't think of a better way to end the year. you freaking EARNED it lady. i am so happy for you. well deserved, well earned, it is yours
congrats!
You rock!
And I can't believe you wore shorts in those temps! But then again, I'm always overdressing!
Wow! Congratulations! SO worth the wait. You will LOVE Boston. Enjoy the time between now and then. But, before you start thinking about it, really enjoy your victory in this race!
Great job – congrats!! I took a peek at the elevation chart and it looks awesome – rolling hills but holy net downhill! Seems like a great course.
You certainly EARNED that BQ. I agree with what RoadBunner said, you ran the race every runner wants to have…you fought and you reached your goal.
Way to cap off an amazing year of running! Boston 2011 here you COME!
Great job! You worked so hard and earned it.
That race report gave me chills. Congratulations!!!!! You deserve to be incredibly proud of yourself. You are an inspiration in hard work and determination.
again, another inspiring post to read. i am SOOOO happy for you!!!!!! xoxo
A big congratulations to you Aron! It's been such a pleasure following your entire journey over the past year! I'm so glad you got to do this today in your race running the best you've ever run! Very inspiring story.
You finally saw in yourself what we've always believed you were from the beginning – A BQ Marathoner!
Congratulations again!
Wow, That is spectacular. I am very happy and proud for you. You ran a very smart race, and the payoff was waiting for you at the end. You give me hope for my own goals.
Thanks-Adam Dopps
Congrats girl! I'm so happy for you! You had a tough road to your amazing bq race! You rock!
Great recap! You did awesome out there. Very impressive.
Congrats on your BQ!!!
I knew you were going to have a great race when I saw you at the expo. You looked like you were in a "zone." I am so happy for you. HUGE congratulations, Aron!!!
You EARNED this. Bask in the glory!! Congrats!
WAY TO GOOOOOOO!!!! What an amazing race report way to push it in the end!!!!
Wow! Such a great post – felt like I was there, down to the short episode post race. It's a lot to hit a person at one time, physically, emotionally… and I can't wait to do it too.
Congrats!
Yeah Aron!! I am so happy for you, and so proud of you. You have worked so hard this year and you totally deserve it. Congratulations on your amazing race. So what are you going to do between now and Boston?
CONGRATS on the BQ Aron. I knew you would do it. You ran a perfect race and when the going got tough, the tough got going. Awesome. So proud of you!!
I never thought about how running in a pack can help with the wind…CRAZY!! OK wow oh wow! you are one tough chick…training for a year and fighting to cross the line in the exact time you were aiming for (well chip time faster) Talk about fate. REST up my friend you are amazing!!
Way to go Aron. I'm so happy for you.
I was thinking about you so much this morning and was watching the tracker online. I am absolutely ECSTATIC for you girl! This was an awesome post to read tonight! Thanks for sharing the experience with us. I feel even more inspired to go kill my own marathon next week!
Congratulations on the BQ!
EXCELLENT race report!! I had goosebumps while reading it. You really kicked some ass(phault) those last miles and it certainly paid off. I'll be traveling from Connecticut to Boston in 2011 to root for you and other blog buddies who will be running. I'll be running Boston myself…running from Fenway Park after the Red Sox game to watch you guys run, and running from bar to bar! Congrats again!!
Congratulations!!! I was thinking of you yesterday and wondering how it went!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Qualifying is the best part of Boston
This is definitely your race, and yesterday was definitely your day… but that didn't just happen – you made it your day with all the hours and miles you put in.
Way to go – you earned it!
Awesome report, Aron. Most importantly – CONGRATULATIONS on a well executed BQ!!! You've worked so hard for this, & have earned your sweet victory
I was thinking about you all day yesterday and I am SOOOO happy for you! You did it!
I am walking around with a perma grin for you!
Great report and CONGRATS!!! How exciting and you deserve it.
So happy for you! I truly believe the BQ marathon is the toughest bc of the physical and mental pressures. You did so well! I did not see one ounce of doubt, and that determination pulled you through.
Great race report, Aron. I teared up at the end reading it. You definitely earned this!! Enjoy the high and be so proud of yourself.
I loved this post, I seriously got a little teary-eyed reading it. I love a happy ending!! Way to go.
Congratulations on qualifying for Boston! You are awesome!
This is one of the best race reports ever. You are so STRONG! Way to pull through, stay strong and focused and achieve that goal. I love the analogy of taking off your gloves – you fought CIM and you WON!
I can't say it enough: CONGRATULATIONS!
Now enjoy the down time – great timing with the holidays coming up.
Your Dad & I are so proud of you! We were so happy to be there and be part of your great day! You have worked so hard this year for this goal. We all knew that you could do this, you just needed to believe it…NOW YOU DO! We love you! Congrats on your outstanding accomplishment!
Congratulations! What an amazing race. I got chills reading it!
INCREDIBLE!! You have worked so hard for this and had your ups and downs and you've reached your goal! You are a true inspiration and I am SO happy for you (and a bit jealous too, but I know my BQ will come someday…)
Congrats, congrats, congrats! What an awesome experience and a truly inspiring race report! You've more than earned your spot at Boston. So happy you made it. And thanks for keeping us informed with all the detail around your training. You are a huge motivation to everyone. Good luck at Boston!
Yay!! Congrats on an awesome race in the freezing cold and the BQ!
Amazing! Congratulations on a fantastic accomplishment. Very impressive indeed!
Awesome job, Aron! Congratulations!!! You really worked hard for this race, and I hope you're enjoying all of your effort. I'm so impressed at how strong you ran, pushing through the last miles. Congratulations again!!
YES! you did it!! congratulations girl!!
I totally got choked up reading this recap. I'm so happy for you Aron! We all knew you could do it and YOU DID! Congrats on the BQ, if anyone deserved it, it was YOU! YAY!!!!
Congrats Aron! I'm glad you got your BQ and managed to not completely freeze your booty off!
CONGRATS! Aron that is so awesome, you are an amazing runner and you so deserved this race. Amazing job!
What else can be said, but here is another big old CONGRATS!!
You did everything you set out to do, and you walked aways with a new beleif in yourself. Hope to get to meet you in Boston 20111 (Not me running, but, the husband).
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! That's so great! What an exciting read! Congratulations again…now get ready, Boston!
i think this is my first (if not one of my first) comment. i was actually nervous when i clicked the link to your blog on another because i wasn't sure if you BQ's or not. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! great recap- i could feel the miles (if that makes any sense)
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
CONGRATS to you on your BQ, Aron! I know how hard you've been training and you definitely earned it. Awesome job keeping things together during the race. I really think finding what works for you racing-wise is key. I just tried running a half marathon at even pace and ended up with a near PW. I'm definitely a negative-splitter
Enjoy your recovery and what a wonderful early Xmas gift
Simply amazing! Congratulations, Aron! You have had quite a year! Take some time to really appreciate your accomplishments and give your body a much deserved rest!
Great race report! Congratulations again!
I am crying! Literally crying! Congratulations. What an accomplishment and story!
You ran a great marathon. I am amazed at how steady your pace was and that pick up near the end. Awesome! It really was your day!
You really told the story of your day well! Congratulations.
So, so, so Happy for you. Very few of us can qualify for Boston and you should be very proud.
Rest time!
Ron
Congratulations!! You worked so hard and pushed yourself to the end, great job!!
Just amazaing Aron. I'm so thrilled for you. You worked really hard and wanted this so bad and you did it. You must be on cloud 9.
I loved reading this! Such an amazing race! i got tears in my eyes when you wrote about the final miles and how you were disoriented at the end. I have had those moments when my blood sugar has been low and I can think ok but can't get the words out. Its scary for everyone else but you really don't realize it when its happening to you. I am so happy for you and can't say enough congratulations!!
Wow!! Aron!!! What an awesome race you ran! You have much to be proud of!!! Congratulations!
Fantastic! Congratulations! I didn't run CIM this year so that was really nice to relive the race via your race report. Thanks for sharing. Boston 2010? Or 2011?
I feel honored that my first marathon was your day.
Congrats, you have fought harder for this than anyone I've ever known.
Congratulations on qualifying for Boston! That's awesome! Great story!
Congrats on an awesome race! See you in Boston!
Congratulations! Just a great, great job. You worked hard and it paid off! YAY!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! It just goes to show that every mile run has purpose and value – even the races that don't go 'as planned'. Everything came together this time!
Way to go…can't wait to follow your story to Boston!
Great race! I loved reading the report and I am really proud of you. Can you find a way to sneak into Boston this year pretty please?
Take your time recovering and enjoy the holidays and BQ.
I knew you had it in you! So happy for you!
Your race report gave me chills! And "congratulations" just doesn't seem like enough!!
You are amazing!!
Congratulations!!! I'm very impressed!!
what a race!! this was sooo exciting to read! i really felt like i was there. congratulations on the BQ (and PR!)! i knew you'd do it
Aron, you are truly loved by the blog world!! You did such an awesome job explaining it all to us and making us feel like we were right there with you!
You have come so far and have worked so hard! You truly are an inspiration
I am so proud of you and so happy for you!
This is so great. Enjoy it – you deserve it for sure.
(The fact that you were light headed at the end MUST have meant that you gave it your ALL!!)
AHHHHH I am so happy for you. Seriously. After yesterday I sort of know what you mean about it meaning more now and although I'm sure you wanted it sooner, I think it says so much more about you that you stuck with it and got it later. And that is a run on sentence.
Anyway, the fact that you got it yesterday in those wicked conditions says so very much.
Yayyyy. Now lets's recover and do some fun running like on trails and weird places where we can get hurt lol.
I'm crying after reading this and don't even know what to say, but I'm sure I'll tell you 234109283471 times in the next few weeks how F-ING PROUD I am of you.
XOXO
You deserve this.
SWEEEEEETTTT!! That's the way to do it! You deserved that medal and that Boston Qualifer!!! Way to go, so very proud!!!!
Awesome, great, wonderful race report!!!! Enjoy your break, you earned every minute of it. So happy for you!
Wow!!!!! That is awesome Aron! HUGE KUDOS to you and all the hard work you put in. Now go get some ice cream.
Wow girl!! That's an awesome report. You definitley left it all out on the course. I'm glad you finanlly recovered. Congratulations again. Majorly impressive!
I was waiting until I could sit and enjoy your race report……how awesome it was!! You totally rocked it and fought through when it got tough. Congrats on an awesome race and on meeting all of your goals for this year! You deserve every ounce of happiness that this race brought you. See you in 2011!
Congratulations Aron!!!!!!!! It sounds like you had an absolutely INCREDIBLE race! Well done on the racing and on the BQ. Looks like there is going to be one incredible big meetup in Boston 2011.
I am so, so, so, so proud of you, girl! You ran an AMAZING race . . . and you are so tough for pushing through at the end. Oh man, talk about leaving it all on the course! You are an inspiration to all of us, and I am SO glad it was finally your day! I had a feeling it would be. Congrats, congrats, congrats!
Congratulations!! I came across your blog this summer and I've been reading ever since. You've definitely motivated and inspired me and I'm so happy for you!
I finished my first marathon in October (Toronto) in 3:49 and now I'm hoping to shave off 9 min on my next one to get a BQ. I know it'll be tough but reading your experiences gives me the courage to try. Thanks for that, and enjoy your BQ high!!!
Congratulations! You did an amazing job. Enjoy your rest – you definitely deserve it.
Great race! Seriously, congratulations!
Congrats again. One question… Since I'm a numbers guy – what were you running most of your long runs at? Did you do any speed/tempo work?
I know that you ran slow with your dogs a lot – and I always struggle with running slower paces – but it seems like they sure helped you!!
I'm trying to decide what is more important – getting some speed work in or cranking out 50+ mile weeks. My Dr said that 50+ mile weeks were one of the reasons for my stress fracture.
this is easily one of the *most thorough* and the *best* race recaps I think I've ever read!
The end kind of scares me – I can't imagine not being able to raise my arm to wave….ugh, 26.2 miles……ah!!
I am SO SO SO Happy for you, Aron!!! You worked your a$$ off for this and WOW – look how far you've come in just a year
LOVE IT!!! This is inspiring!!!
CONGRATS!!!! boston, here she comes!!!!
Congrats!! Great race recap, Boston here you come!
I will never forget the first time I BQ'd, I almost hyperventilated when I realized I was really going to do it….. got a little emotional.
Congrats!!!!!!!
I thought about you a lot during the race.
Congrats Aron, you worked hard, and it paid off.
I always knew that you would have your day and I am not going to lie I get teary eyed because I wasn't there to see you cross the finish line and really wished I had been! I know how hard you trained and how much you wanted this! I am SO excited that you're headed to BOSTON!!!!!! Soak it all in and enjoy every ache & pain because you gave it all you got! ♥♥♥
Oh Aron, I feel like we all qualified for Boston right along with you!
Such a great race report! I had to read it twice to take it all in! I am so excited and happy for you! You have inspired me to get really focus on getting my marathon time down!
OMFG!!! Congrats!!!! Congrats!!! Hooray!! So proud and happy for you that you got your BQ!!! Wooohooo!!!!! Go Aron!
I'm soooo sooo proud of you Aron! I get tears in my eyes every time I read this post! You did AMAZING on Sunday and seriously kicked some butt! I'm so proud of you for taking on CIM with all you had & showing that course who is boss. Your gonna look amazing in your boston jacket when you get it & you better never take it off! I'm so excited to follow you on your journey & so happy to have met you! Great great great job- you earned it! Live it up and enjoy your time off- you deserve it girl! love you! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Woohoo! What a great race report! Thanks for sharing this with us. Enjoy the well deserved aches and upcoming recovery. No one can take away your BQ! Congratulations!
What a great race! Congrats! The end sounds a bit scary – but you just needed food and warm clothing!
YAY I'm so happy for you and selfishly I'm happy I was there when it happened! Far far behind you!
You rocked and you deserve it! <3 I'm so excited for you and all the hard work you put in paying off. Enjoy being on cloud 9 forever!
I'm late to this party but….YOU DID IT! Congratulations! It was obvious it was only a matter of time and everything coming together! Boston 2011?!
Gret job!
Great recap, Aron. Congratulations on running to Boston; I can't wait to read your report after you race that bad boy.
awesome!!!!
Whoo to the hoo girl! Congratulations!!!
Wow – congratulations! It must have been an amazing feeling. Qualifying for Boston is one of my 2010 goals and this post has totally inspired me. I am thinking about trying to qualify in May and am starting to train now. I hope I can reach the same success that you did. Thanks for sharing!
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This comment is way after the fact, but I just started reading runners blogs in Nov 2010 – awesome to read this recap. You can feel the passion and struggle just like we are running the race with you. Congrats and enjoy Boston this April!