Grandma’s Marathon: Post-race feels

I finished happy and thankful.  So often we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to enjoy the journey, but I enjoyed not only the marathon but all of the miles and experiences leading up to it.

After I finished, I was immediately handed my elite gear bag, and walked through the chute smiling for photos and looking to the sidelines for my family.  I spotted my parents first, and Albani and Jon (who got to sit in special bleachers) a few minutes later.  I think they weren't quite sure how I was doing physically or emotionally; my parents were worried I'd experienced vertigo because of my form coming in.  I do need to figure out the neck cramping thing because it makes me run slightly leaned back with my head tilted back, which surely can't be ideal.

Smiles for miles

I made my way through the finishing area, seeing a handful of other runners I knew or had met during the race along the way.  I grabbed food and drink, changed in the provided changing tent (they even had baby wipes and travel size deodorant in there!), and found my way to an exit to meet back up with my family.  We snapped some photos on the lake before heading back to our hotel.  One thing I learned on this Minnesota trip is how much colder any given temperature feels when you're near Lake Superior!

Albani's sign says "love will keep you going"

My sweet mom

The best cheer crew

We all felt like we walked a marathon in this skywalk
throughout race weekend!

I rode my post-marathon high for all it was worth all day!  I received a complimentary massage with my elite pass.  I never splurge for massages but it was heavenly!  The masseuse commented that my calves were in the best shape of anyone he'd seen so far (as in, the least beat up from the race).

Race evening, I attended a post-race VIP reception with my family.  I even changed out of running clothes for it.  We all enjoyed the food (I had 2 loaded plates!), band, and hearing honors for special race contributors.  I fell into bed that night feeling blissful but of course still wanting more.  With the help of a muscle relaxer, I even slept 5-6 hours that night!  Post-marathon insomnia is real - I've had a handful where I haven't slept at all the night of - but now I know that with a heavy med (plus another Melatonin when I woke up in the middle of the night) I can sleep some.  And that is yet another thing that I'm extremely thankful for!

My angelic family

My dad loved the elite treatment even
more than I did!

Our only photo together in non-
running clothes, ever

She was a big fan of the meatballs &
complimentary water bottle