For my new years resolution in 2006, I told myself that I would run a marathon.  But telling yourself is one thing and doing is another.  But I trained and trained some decent miles all throughout the spring and summer, but my uncle Kirt was the true inspiration for me seriously considering it.

He is a newer runner than I but he has the passion for running that I have missed.  I havent had great passion since I quit college cross country my junior year.

Anyway, he kept up with me and my training and we both signed up for the Detroit Marathon.

On the night before the race I had to go to a wedding and I didnt get much sleep.  When we arrived in downtown detroit at 4:30 AM, we both took had a BM but were extremely nervous for our first marathon.  I had something happened in the toilet that really pissed me off.  I pretty much sprayed on myself and my shorts because it was so dark if you know what I mean.  It sucked and pissed me off... literally.  But those things can happen sometimes.  It didnt get me down.

Eventually things got really crazy at the starting line and I was surprised I saw Kirt after we separated.  But we started off and enjoyed the first 10 miles together. 

Once we got close to the tunnel going back into the USA, I put on my music and left Kirt.  I was flying at like 8 minute pace or less and made it through the first half of the marathon at an even 2 hours.  Still feeling good until mile 18, we approached the worst wind I have ever encountered while running (this was on Belle Isle).  My knee completely cramped up at this point and I had to walk a whole lot from mile 18 through 22.

At about mile 22, I was looking back because I had a feeling Kirt would be coming around about this time and I spotted him.

We truly helped each other out through the last 5 miles and I would have walked all the way in if it wasnt for him.  We were in sooo much pain at this point it was almost unbearable.  He was even running on a broken shin or something.  I would beg him to let me walk, but he kept on saying NO.  Eventually I got past those pains and was a ways ahead for a bit.  But eventually met back up to finally finish in 4 hours and 30 minutes. 

It was so much fun and such an interesting experience.  Everyone was sooo supportive of the "first timers".  I will most likely stick to half marathons because they require less sacrifice in terms of training.  But you have to do one marathon to truly call yourself a runner.