Excederin - The Drug NOT To Take Before Race Day!

It has been months since I've had a really bad migraine headache. Wouldn't you know that I got one on Friday morning while teaching my class. The day before my first half marathon of the season and the event that my class has been training for since January. The Kid's Martian Marathon was going to happen despite my fragile head conditions! My students were more than gracious when they had to lower the noise level and I dimmed the lights because they knew that I was in some serious pain. Usually if I catch the migraine early enough, I can deal with the dull ache. So I proceeded with my usual migraine cocktail : three Advil and drinking some caffeine. Well the Advil kicked in and at least allowed me to function throughout the morning.

A co-worker found out that I was still suffering and offered me a "magic little white pill" aka - Excederin. I took it because I was desperate to get rid of the headache. Wowzers, do they work! I was feeling better within an hour but my fragile stomach wasn't feeling so happy. One of the side effects of the "magic little white pill" is that it may cause an upset stomach. (Awesome!)

My migraine finally broke without me throwing up or poking my eyes out, and I scooted over to the race expo. Usually I love going to the race expo to find great products and get excited about the upcoming event. This day I was feeling queasy and praying for short lines. I ran into a dad picking up his race bib for his first 10K (Yahoo!) and his daughter, my student.

Here's a picture of us:

My friend called me to ask if I would pick up two more bibs. "Of course!" I said and I got back into line. Once I got home I felt fine enough to grab a quick dinner from Noodles and Company. The Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine is a great choice. Time to carb up and drink a lot of lemon water. So far so good.

Well I was zapped after getting all the kids shirts ready, the signs, the last minute parent email reminders and texts. I laid out my clothes and gear for the frigid forecast and hoped for the best. The alarm that woke me up was certainly unexpected and unwelcome. You know,  nature calling! Yikes what!? Now runners are certainly familiar with the pre-race bathroom issues. If you are a runner you know EXACTLY what I'm referencing here! Here's an article about how to avoid bathroom issues on a run. http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Causes_and_solutions_for_runners__intestinal_concerns 

Sure my head felt better but my stomach was cramping and in knots. Pre-race jitters? or "Magic little white pill" after effects? Whatever it was I was not a eager to carpe diem! What to do? 

My only option was to gut it out. Literally. I could not let the kids down. They promised to train and run 25 miles before their final 1.2 and I promised them that I would challenge myself to run the half distance. I should have promised to run the 10K. 

After several trips to the disgusting porta potties, I was feeling a little better. Let's just say I'm thankful that Lizzie my kickboxing instructor kills me with hundreds of squats every week. Whew! Always bring your own wipes or toilet paper. 

After a final wave to my biggest fan, my hubby, I took off. My friends Dave and Ata kept me company with good conversation and a good pace. I was feeling okay until a little before MILE 3. Oh no! I told the guys to go. I had to make a bathroom stop. Feeling mad and disappointed that: A. My good pace was going to be killed. B. My stomach was not happy. & C. I was starting to freak out that I wouldn't be able to make it. 

Have you ever tried running with an upset stomach? I can only describe it as an ab/glute workout that you didn't plan on. It's hard to run for time when you are praying so hard that you can make it to the next porta potty! I stopped looking at my Garmin for pace around mile 7. I was pretty much focused on one mile at a time. I just kept thinking about each of my students and why I signed up for this. My message that I had been preaching to the kids was resounding in my head during the race. "Never give up. You can do it. Keep going strong. You don't have to go fast, but you have to keep moving." Every runner has those motivational mantras that we think while on the long run. 

The point of this is that I did survive. This is me somewhere around mile 12.

My biggest fan snapped this picture of me. I wanted to be done. My stomach was winning the battle and I only had a little over one more mile to go. Something in my brain switched and I decided that it didn't matter about my time. What mattered was that all my kids were waiting for me at the finish line. They stood out in the cold rain, wind, and sleet cheering on their teacher. They didn't care about my pace or about my stomach issues. They just wanted to see their teacher cross that finish line. It was the best feeling to be done, but it was an even better feeling seeing all those bright hopeful faces excited to run their race.  My chip time was 2:10:17.  My handy Garmin reported that I had 6 minutes of "bathroom" time. So for not really being ready for a half distance & my bathroom issues, I'll gladly claim that result - for the kids. 

So game face on! I was feeling pretty miserable, but I hope none of my students could tell. I will definitely remember this race, not because it was a PR kind of day or because I felt like a martian alien invaded my digestive tract, but because it was a day that my class celebrated running their first ever 26.2! Way to go TEAM OUT OF THIS WORLD! Here are some of my kids celebrating with their medals!

I just wanted to say that in light of the Boston Marathon tragedy - this post seems trivial. I am thankful that I have the chance to run another run, hug those I love, and say those things that I have neglected to say. Hope shines brightest in darkness.  I lift up Boston and all the families affected by this horrible act of terror in prayer. May God grant them strength and peace during this difficult time.

It is my hope that you enjoyed this snippet of my life. 

I love comments. So please let me know your thoughts!

Emily