The BEST orange ever!

This weekend.... I ate the best orange ever.... Ill get to that in a minute but FIRST!!!!
This past weekend was my marathon weekend. After that day in December when I just threw my hands up about my medical stuff, I decided to sign up for the marathon. It was the 31st of December. Talk about goal setting for 2012. I researched a doable training program for my marathon and came up with one. I already had run a 10 mile run so I was OK to have a shorter training schedule.
Lets just say that this past week went by so fast, that I still am having a hard time knowing that today is Monday. Tuesday I sold a home and Wednesday was countering back and forth. Thursday am I had to get into the office at 7ish to get some paperwork printed out to then go to the corporate office to hand in the contract that I never thought would actually come together. (no comment)
I drove to Fayetteville to drop off my car and then to drive with Randy the rest of the way down. I was on the phone almost the whole way. The first half I was calling and taking calls and the last half (since I was not driving) I was emailing, texting, sighing a lot, etc.
I felt pretty bad about the lack of conversation but work had to get done and I was hopeful that it would be done and then like clockwork, I got an email or a phone call and then I was back working again. Thankfully, I have understanding in laws.
On our way to the beach we stopped at Smithfield's to get food. I had been eating Paleo for the whole month but was starting to transition over to processed foods for the race. That Brunswick stew was SO good! I always get it.
After we got to the condo and unpacked and did MORE work, Jean showed up. We then got ready to go to the expo. I always like a good expo before a race. But this time, I got super nervous. Butterfly city in my stomach. There were quite a few vendors there but here is the recap. Chickfila was the main sponsor but was no where to be seen the whole weekend. :(
A rescue dog took my dollar and put it in a can and then got a dog treat, I got some pretty neat ear warmer things made out of bathing suits, and I picked up my race bag and stuffed it with lemonade packets, pita chips, and sunscreen.
That evening, we went to a Mongolian grill for dinner. It was very good.
The next day we got up and went to breakfast and had amazing french toast. Jean and I went to the outlets and Randy went to visit with some people. Gap was my fav store at the outlet. I was a big spender and got 4 shirts for less than 11 bucks.
After retail therapy, we went back to rest up for the race that evening. Randy and Jean ran the 5k along with 1100 other people. Randy took 2 minutes off his time thanks to Doug. (Thats another story) We went to 5 guys for dinner and met Daniel there. He had to come later due to work. I brought my own food just in case there would be food poisoning. (Considering I did not do the full marathon last time I tried because of a terrible cold, I was not going to take any chances). Anyways, we called it an early night since the next morning was going to be SO early!
I set my alarm clock for 5am. As always, I did not sleep until my alarm went off. I got up at 315, 330, 345, 4, 420, 430, 440, 455 and then just thought that the last 5 minutes didnt matter.
I packed my breakfast for the road and had all of my stuff together. The night before, we had mapped out where I was going to meet Randy and Daniel for my food. My parents were going to meet me at 4 and 9. Randy and Daniel were to meet me at 11.5, 14.5, 21.5 and 23.
Our drive to the race was distracted by internet on the telephone. Anything to get gitters out!
We found a parking spot amongst the other 7000-8000 people there at Broadway at the Beach. I ran to use the restroom and then came back to get my stuff. I took a picture of before hand and then said my goodbyes. I walked away and started crying! I was nervous, scared, excited, happy, sad, etc etc. People DIE doing these things and I signed up for it! I was hopeful that I would find someone I knew at the start line. I knew of about 5-10 people who were running. Thankfully I dried up my tears in time and happened to find my old coworker Jeremy. He didn't really train for the race so he said he would run with me.
First off, the race started 2 minutes late because a fuse blew.hahaha. figures.
Anyways, I started, along with the other 7-8000 people there. Just like clockwork, I saw my parents at mile 4 and my Mom handed me granola bars. Then at mile 9 I gave away my jacket for an exchange of skittles and starburst. There was a TON of candy and I was thinking to myself, how in the world would I ever eat all this candy.... (just wait)...
Then at mile 11.5 I saw Randy and Daniel and actually turned down the food that I asked them to give to me. I was having to force myself to eat what I already had. I just was not hungry. I did swallow a few powerbar things that I had brought from the beginning and also some skittles. (because who doesn't like skittles). I then saw them again the next time and was SO excited for my shot blocks. It was margarita flavor with extra salt and boy was it yummy.
About mile 16, Jeremy and I split up and I put my tunes on and kept running. I could tell my pace was getting slower which I expected and still was pushing through it. I was so excited because food station was supposed to be soon. I ran by the food station.... and NO FOOD! They only had water. (every 2 miles was supposed to be water and powerade and then mile 16 and 22 food) I was so disappointed! By this point I really wanted some food.
I met the guys at mile 21.5 and got my baby food and bread. I tried to eat the baby food but just couldnt. I then tried to eat the powerbar stuff and about threw up. So bread it was. I was so excited about the food station that was about to be coming up only to be disappointed again. FINALLY mile 23ish was water, powerade, and the BEST oranges ever! I ran past and ate my orange only to wish I had another piece. I was actually thinking about yelling to the volunteers to throw me another one at the turn around point. (I passed them again just .2 miles later)
THANKFULLY there was more!!!!! That orange really gave me a bit of happiness. You see... around mile 22 my calves got so tight. I was loosing too much salt and so I had to do the whole walk a little and then run as much as I could until I had to walk some more. This went on until mile 26. At mile 26 I saw Randy. Then I was coming down the cattle corral (that is what it looked like) and saw my parents. Then Daniel and then Jean (she had to work). I finished in 4 hours 49 minutes and just a couple seconds. I started crying. (again). I was just so happy I completed what I set out to complete. To know that all the hours, miles, early mornings, cold weather... it all paid off. I had a goal that I could control (mostly) and was able to complete it. And.... I slashed my old marathon time by about 45 minutes.
I contribute my faster time with these things....
1. better training plan 2. experience 3. support along the course that gave me food 4. a flat course and 5. more determination than ever to prove I could do it again.