Shaun Heidtman

Well, it came and it went. I came, I saw, and I conquered…at a medium pace. The official time was 3:18:04. The training for 5 months finally came to fruition and I did what so many people thought 5 months ago would never happen. I finished 13.1 miles. I just thought I would detail the race from my perspective for those who may be interested (if anyone out there is actually interested).

Our group was meeting at 5:45am. Considering we (me and Stef) weren’t the slightest bit tired as of 11:30pm the night before, we knew it was gonna be a rough morning. But when we both woke up around 3:30am, and couldn’t go back to sleep, we actually weren’t too bad. 3 1/2 hours is enough sleep to run a marathon on…right? (Actually, they say the sleep you get the night before is WAY more important.) But we got up, had a couple of bagels with peanut butter, and on we went. By the time we got to the start line, it was around 6:30, and incredibly cold. Even in sweatshirts and fleece pants, we were moving around a lot, trying to keep warm. Finally around 6:50, we ditched the warm clothes, and headed for our spot in the starting grid.

Standing there surrounded by thousands of people (there were just under 20,000 participants), I started to get really excited. This started as a way to honor my mother’s memory, and raise some money for a great cause. But standing there at that start line, it became something for me too. I was about to do something that really, not a lot of people ever do. By the time we finally got to go (7:30ish), I wasn’t even cold anymore…I was just ready. Stef was still freezing.

The first couple of miles, we just coasted. It was funny to watch people shed articles of clothing like they were on fire. There were sweatshirts and jackets and gloves everywhere. It looked like a disaster movie, and we were all running away from a horde of zombies or something. Fun fact, the Salvation Army follows everyone, and scoops up the discarded clothing as donations. The first set of portapotties had a huge line, which was funny. Then it was across the Ambassador Bridge. It was cool to run across the bridge, and see the view.

The run through Canada was pretty much uneventful. We had to get to the tunnel by the 2 1/2 hour mark, and we made it there easily. The run through the tunnel was a really cool thing. Only marathon in the world with an underwater mile. We came out of the tunnel, and were feeling pretty good. We had done a really good job of pacing ourselves up to that point.

Then a bit later, around mile marker 10, we hit the wall. We tried to shift back to running, and our legs just couldn’t take any more. My left knee felt like someone had just hit it with a sledgehammer, both of my feet were aching. So we just hobbled on, knowing that we were getting close.

When we neared the final corner, we had a dilemma. About 6 miles prior, we agreed that we were going to end the race running. Now here we were, about to turn onto the quarter mile straight to the finish, and we were having a hard enough time walking. But we didn’t come this far just to limp home. We turned the final corner, and took off. The second I started running, my knee felt like it was going to give. But there were literally a thousand people (probably more) in that final stretch just screaming at us to cheer us on. A few of them were probably looking at me a little funny, because I was literally screaming in agony between all the various pains in my legs. But I finished. And before the race, we were told that when you cross the finish line, smile. Well, I was 50% on that one. Cause Team In Training had someone with a camera right before the finish line, and I’m pretty sure when they post that picture, I’m gonna look like I’m dying. But when I crossed the finish line, I was smiling. Well, I think I was smiling. I tried. I’m waiting for the marathon to post their official pictures.

So when all was said and done, we ran about 8 of the 13.1 miles. For our first marathon, I consider that a HUGE success. 5 months ago, I couldn’t run a mile. Yeah, that’s how awful I was. I’ve lost 30lbs and counting. Although, with the way we’ve eaten in the last 24 hours or so after the race, I might be up a pound or two.

After the race, when I finally got a chance to sit down…I don’t think sitting down has ever felt that good in my life. Of course, getting up…not so much. We limped back to the hotel, and crashed. And of course this morning, things were even worse. Both my feet hurt so much I can barely put any weight on them. My left ankle hurts. My left knee doesn’t like bending right now. My back is so sore, it’s hard to lift my arms. My abs even hurt.

And I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. Every painful step I take today is a reminder of the battle I fought yesterday. The battle I fought for my mom. The battle I fought for me.

I would recommend this experience to anyone. We raised money for an absolutely amazing cause. In fact, my only regret was that we weren’t a little more involved in the Team In Training experience. We didn’t go to a lot of meetings. We were busy this summer. Maybe we should have made a little more time. They’re a great group of people. And the accomplishment you feel afterward…I see it as a life changing experience. And as an added bonus, if you’re a single guy, I saw a lot of good looking ladies at team functions.

Of course, I would never trade them for my good looking lady. This marathon was something that meant a lot to me, and Stef was there with me every step of the way. She has never run 20 feet in her life, and she agreed to do this with me. It wasn’t her mother. As far as I know, she’s never lost anyone to a blood cancer. But she was there with me, fighting the fight with me. And we did it together, and it brought us closer. She’s my hero.

And after all this…and not being able to walk the next day…you think I’m done? Nope. We signed up this morning for the Green Bay Marathon on May 17, 2010. And you better believe I’m going to blow away 3:18:04. Plus, the race ends on Lambeau Field. How effing cool is that!?

Well kids, that’s all for this time. I’m off to have some lunch then we have massages booked. Hopefully I can hobble a littler faster after a 90 minute massage.