HOLY MOLY! Delirious...CCM - Falmouth, MA

Really? Are you kidding? Am I loco...meshugannah...crazy? Yes I am AND I'm walking kinda' funny today with a headache..ICE ICE ICE!!!!!
Everyone warned me about the course. I knew part of it because I ran the Falmouth Road Race 2x (a "must do" race....if you can). You can warn me all you want, but I was running it even after Chicago 2 weeks ago (btw...tee shirt gets the thumbs-down). Thank you Tresa for being there with your sign and Nancy, Gina, and my little Emm, for sharing peanut butter/fluff sandwich and feeding me cookies and making me signs (pics on FB and Instagram).

Marathon course...beautiful and scenic, and the weather was perfect.  A state police heli followed us along the beach route and it was TOTALLY cool!!!!!
And then you look up, oh-no a hill, and then another and another. My hamstring was SCREAMING at me, my knee was pleading, my foot (re-injured this past week) was throbbing, and yet I kept going. I had to, I had to for me, for Mitch and Max, and for my students. I ran the first mile with Stu, and I told him to pace himself. He was fooled, and so was I! Ended up passing him, oh well bro.
I was on track for 4:28 and ended at 4:31:32. I'll take it.

This marathon is really a relay marathon and now I can see why. But here are some people I met along the route (not too many women wanted to chat and one kept dodging me to prove she was faster...go lady I kept whispering, you can gladly have the road).....
Joe and Mike from Pittsburgh, their first. We ran a few miles together, and then I paced with a few guys in their 70's, who smiled a lot. We talked about life and not giving up on the things you believe in; ex-Marine guy, who said life is tough, the run is nothing, and "keep smiling for your students as they need you." My young flag dudes (military), who said we believe in America...."you look awesome for someone who has been running 22 miles!" Thank you guys for carrying our flag.

And finally, Mile 18, hosted/sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project (close to my heart).
There was plenty of candy and drinks and wonderful veterans, some in wheelchairs, who I saluted and blew kisses to. I wear my sneaker charm proudly. It has traveled on a few pairs since 2011 when I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 in D.C. I had the chills as there were flags on either side of the station too.
***Stu and I want to thank Bill, from Falmouth, who drove us back to Stu's hotel after we ate. He was a blessing when we just wobbled our way out of the cafeteria. Thank you so much!!

Acrostic poem and my autographed sneakers by many students.

This morning, I'm tired but moving. Woke up with a swollen knee and splitting headache.
Here's to a new week (maybe a new Alex and Ani bracelet??)
And I'm hoping for NO post-marathon depression.