NYC Marathon!

I DID IT! I finished the NYC Marathon! It was one of the most painful - and most exhilarating - experiences of my life.
Play-by-play:

Mile 1: I was caught up in the crowd with everyone, crossing the Verrazano Bridge. I looked around to see if I could find the pacers for a 5:00 time, but I couldn't, so I figured I'd just go at my own pace, especially since I knew I might end up having to slow down if my IT band acted up.

Mile 2-3-4: Brooklyn! Into my 2nd out of 5 boroughs already! I was high-fiving the little kids as I ran by. It was awesome.

Mile 5: My IT band started to hurt. I had my first Gu packet, and started to wonder whether I'd actually finish.

Mile 6: The dull IT band pain gave way to a few shockingly intense pains and I made a stop in the medical tent, where I got a massage and some Tylenol.

Mile 7-8-9: Really really starting to hurt! Stopped again around mile 8 in the med tent. Really not sure if I would be able to finish.

Mile 10-11-12: Last few miles in Brooklyn! It was great to see Ramsay, a fellow Arethusa alum, out there cheering me on! I gave her a big hug, and after that, said to myself, I WILL do this, I WILL finish!

Mile 13: Despite the pain, I made it halfway. Okay! I can do this!

Mile 14-15: Just get me out of Queens and into Manhattan.

Mile 16: OMG...it's a LONG distance from 59th Street up to the Bronx!

Mile 17: Raspberry cream PowerBar gel! A nice change from my vanilla bean Gu.

Mile 18-19: JUST GET ME TO MILE 20! I texted Andrea, telling her that all I needed was to get to mile 20 and then I would believe that I could finish. My parents texted me, wondering if I wanted to drop out. Telling me they would get me whenever, wherever. No, I was not about to drop out! I was dragging. Making 15 minute miles at the fastest. But I was still moving. Still going. Stopping to stretch every here and there.

Mile 20: Okay! I'm almost there. 10k to go.

Mile 21-22: This is going to be the longest 10k ever... Then I saw Deb cheering me on at 132nd street :) I hadn't seen her in YEARS and it was so good to have her support!

Mile 23-24: Somewhere around mile 23, Sandy was there with a big "LETS GO JESS" sign! She ran alongside me into the park for as long as she could.

Mile 25: Back by myself again. I felt like I was the only one left still RUNNING, when everyone around me was walking. My little legs "run" slower than some people walk I guess. In Columbus Circle, one lady put her hand out for a high five. I high fived her and then the next 10+ people high fived me and cheered me on, like they knew me and believed in me! It was amazing!

Mile 26: My parents were on the sidelines and my dad tried to take a picture of me with his phone camera, which didn't work out so well.

Mile 26.2: OMG I MADE IT. I called Andrea right away, got draped in a space blanket, got my medal, and pretty much hobbled to the exit. I sat on the sidewalk and waited for my parents and Sandy.

Honestly, part of me still doesn't believe that I did it. But I have tendonitis in my foot, and sore tight legs. Where would that come from if not the marathon!? I have the finisher medal and finisher recovery bag - I would not have gotten that if I had backed out earlier. I'm in partial denial. But I DID IT!