During the race part two

#6 Just passed 22 Here I was just counting down the miles. It was hot, I was 2 more miles than I had ever done before, and everyone around me looked like death. This was not pretty; however, I had a lot of time during these miles to talk to people. I really enjoyed getting to have conversations with the others who were having just as much trouble as I was. I found a couple of common strings with all of us. The first is why we didn’t turn left back there. By that saying that we should have followed the ½ marathoners. The second every one of us had trained for much faster outcomes then we were having. The weather really took its toll. I met this one women doing her first race ever (yea I thought I was nuts that my first race a year earlier at the ½), she was doing so well then I saw her looking harder and harder at those shuttle busses. I encouraged her to keep going, but then she said I just need them to take me a mile, and jumped on and she was gone. There was so many people giving up on these last few miles. I wonder if perhaps I was smarter if I wouldn’t have gotten on one.

#7 Almost 24 miles, and I just got a peak at the alamodome. I got a little choked up #26.2 #RnRSA Last year my uncle qualified for Boston at this race, and I remember him saying what a motivational symbol the Tower of the Americas was. I wasn’t sure exactly what he ment until this moment. You see growing up in San Antonio I see the tower from all over town, however on this course it is really not visible till this one point. At this point you can see both the tower, and the top of the Alamodome (the finish). Seeing this I knew I had made it, and it was so incredibly emotional. I think if I wasn’t starting to suffer from dehydration I might have started crying, but I didn’t want to waste the salt or the water in my body. You see at this point I had sucked my hydration pack dry for the 3^rd time, and even though there was supposed to be a water station around the corner it was gone, and I was pretty sure the one before it was gone to. My hands were beginning to swell. I recognized this immediately as a sign of dehydration, and was beginning to get a little worried. I didn’t panic, I just kept walking, not sure what I was going to do. I past a convenience store, and really wished I had the customary couple dollars that I took on my long runs stuffed in my shoe. I didn’t do it; I thought what was the point? The Rock and Roll people would have everything I needed, WRONG!!!

#8 was not a post but a picture. I snapped a picture of the 26 mile sign. I had made it 2 tenths of a mile and I was done. I can’t tell you how many times my emotions swelled up during this mile as I circled the Alamodome. I bent over several times, almost weeping. It was the most incredible accomplishment of my life. I just finished a marathon.

#9 ‎26.2 becouse 26.3 would be crazy. I did it. #Rnrsa This was my last tweet as I crossed the finish line. I saw this on a sign on the course and I laughed out loud, so I shared it. Wow was the only way to describe this moment. Nothing else could do it. I turned the corner into the chute (the last stretch heading to the finish line) I saw my wife, oldest daughter, sister, and nephew cheering me on. I found the strength to run, and run I did. I know from the video it looked funny, but that was because I couldn’t bend my legs the way I normally do, but I was running none the less. I had the biggest smile on my face, and pride in my heart. I still am not sure what this is going to do, but I knew that God had brought me through this, and it was going to be an amazing testament to His power. This 450lb man just finished a marathon.

#10 I did it!!!

Just completed a 26.57 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 6:43:07 | Calories Burned 4971

Average Pace 15:10 / mi | Average Speed 3.95 mph | Elevation Climb 3342 ft

This is the post generated by Runkeeper. Looks like I did a little more then 26.2, so I guess I am crazy, but I wasn’t gonna complain.