Philly Marathon recap.

The heat (heated tent) of elite tent gets me excited to race fast. I feel lucky that I am able to be warm and get myself situated on a chair. I go to the bathroom (multiple times) throw on my five below LOVE pajamas and headphones and head to my corral. I find the 3:30 pacer and start a little bit ahead of them. I took my pjs off & quickly decided to keep them on to save energy. I felt great. Wheelchair. Go. Elite. Go. It’s my turn. It’s my time to shine.

I settle into the pace. I see my parents, Lauren and Joe. They are here for me. 3:30 catches up to me quick. I look at my watch and they are going 7:50. Juli said no sub 8s in the first 10k even first 10 is fine. I get a couple miles in and think ugh really like another 23? Columbus blvd I am here. I run here all the time after work at the hospital. Washington to front street. Watch the potholes. A fellow runner is carrying a flag. Wow America. South street is a blur make it to the chestnut wow what a crowd! Look for Lauren and joe and my parents. I get excited run a 7:40 mile. Eeeekkk too soon! Hi family you’re the best.

Okay Drexel time - I went to school here. DJ is playing the jams. Love it!!!!! Over 34th street I see Christine and Jonathan. You look strong they say. I second guess myself. Do I feel strong? Up the hill? Please touch museum this is cool. I had a little anxiety stricken moment. I wanna go home. Talk myself down. Gel time. I see Leigh. I’m back into it again. aw Alex is so cute. His sign is sideways. Okay almost back to art museum. I run a 8:20 panic. Shit. Get to halfway before 1:45. Okay barely made it.

Hi family again. Okay look for Erin. Hi Erin. What’s your plan? Get to 20 and them gun it. I feel great I tell her. I kinda have an out of body experience. I see city fit girls. My girls YES hi. Next get to November project cheer squad. Manayunk.

This feels long. Ugh. It’s hurting, my legs. No I’m fine. No I can’t. Its quick like a anxiety stricken bomb in my brain. I shut down, Erin help I say. It’s happening again. Out of body experience I don’t feel good. Oh why. Tears start to come. There is my sister. Kelly tells me how amazing I am. I’m doing great.

Crying. I see people at the store, GO KRISTEN! Brodie is screaming his head off. Wow the energy here is amazing.I’m going to be okay. I will finish. F@uk this. Why did this happen. Take some water. Take some Gatorade. Beer? Why not. This is embarrassing. F@ck this. I just shut down. 6 miles to go.

Look for Sarah. Go Sarah. She looks great. She is going to get sub 4. Get back to east falls. Walk. Gatorade. Go. A blur, I’m crying. Sharon and Katie look great! Sarah looks great despite being sick all week. Heather I see her. Badass. She looks great. High five!

I see city fit girls on my way back. Becca yells at me. I’m sobbing. Philly Oiselle girls say smile Kristen!
​I sob more.
Ok last half mile.
Stop crying.
So many people and there’s my mom.
I can’t see anyone else.
I crossed.
I finished.
Sob my way through refreshments.
I sit down.
A guy calls my mom for me.
Are you injured?
No.
Okay good.
Here she is.
Did i even say thank you?
What the f@uk just happen?