gorgeous, some of the homes we went by were just amazing! I met another maniac named David around mile 14 or so, he was born deaf but could hear a little bit and was good at lip reading, I knew my abcs still a little from my cousin being born deaf. He also went to Gallaudet University where my cousin had gone to college as well as King Jordan who was a professor and then the President, he is the one I helped this year at the JFK50. David and I stayed together the rest of the race, we decided we were gonna be under 5:00.
I felt really good for this run and just went with it, typically I try to go for at 5:15-5:45 marathon when Im doing a double but finished this is like 4:51. After the finish I headed back to shower quickly then was going to return for food. Alex was getting close to finish but didnt wanna shower so Shawn and I headed back over to meet him at the food area, the Pizza was awesome!! They also had some beans and rice and each person got 3 beers! Then we were off to Mobil Alabama- about a 3.5 hour drive but the weather was beautiful and the drive was pleasant. We got to the packet pickup here and decided to eat the free pasta dinner.....that wasnt too smart! Got back to the room again walking distance to the start/finish line!! Around 4ish am my tummy was killing me, rumbling and grumbling and I went to the bathroom and thought I would throw up but kept it in. Awoke at 6ish am to get ready for the race and about 6:20 the stomach really got me and I couldnt hold it in, food poisoning! I had the worse diarrhea and no medicine what so ever. Shortly after I got a call from my friend Rob asking how I was feeling as he and some friends that also ate the pasta dinner all were sick as well, we then check ed FB and more folks asking if anyone and their families were sick on the marathon maniacs page. We went to the lobby and I did manage to eat a egg and bagel but didnt make it out of the lobby before having to go again, we walked to the start line and I had to stop while walking to try to keep things in, got their and the line was huge, everyone discussing and questioning are you sick, did you eat the meatsauce? Those stating their families stayed back at the hotel because they were sick. How was i going to run without shitting myself!! All I could think about was NOT being on the cover of RUNNERS WORLD magazine as that person who had shit all down their legs at a run!! My legs everything felt amazing too!!! I took off at the start and was at a nice 10ish min mile, my goal was to go as fast as I could till it churned too much and go potty stop to potty stop. The potties were very close which was a blessing!! About a mile and half between them but the lines were long and there were only 2-3 potties per stop. Stop one, barely got there and the line took over 12 min but i couldnt have gone to the next one plus at this time I didnt know where the next one was! At the next stop the medic has some imodium so I took 2. I tried to drink the water so I would dehydrate too bad. I was not alone as those all around were in the same situation as myself or they knew someone that was. I ran into my friend Bill and he said he was good but his wife was sick, He would pass me while I waited on the potty and then i would pass him when I was done, finally around mile 10ish I saw him again and oppps it had hit him late! Most people complained it started between 3am-6am. I found another aid station and the volunteer had some more imodium...two more!! Now we were on a stretch of roads that had some carryouts-so a couple pit stops I had to go to the gas station as I couldnt make it to the next aid station. The course really was pretty when we got into a park area and also some residential areas. I dont remember much about the first 14 miles as I just paid attention to getting to each aid station. I believe it was finally
The YMCA was suppose to be open for showers but were locked up when we went over...My flight wasnt leaving till 6:35 pm so I had a ton of time, Shawn and Alex dropped me at the airport, oh it was a regional airport with NOTHING inside but a greasy small grill with chips that expired the next week and 4 chairs at the bar area. I wanted a sub but I guess google showed a Jimmy Johns in the airport, but upon arrival I knew there was no way there was anything inside there! It was on airport road but 6 miles away. I was so ready for food now but there wasnt anything I could do I was stuck. The lady was super nice and when she saw how close my connecting flight was in Atlanta she bumped me to an earlier flight out of Mobil, they also asked me to give up my seat in Atlanta and they would give me a $400 voucher as well as a hotel, I said if you can get me a hotel since I havent showered, havent eaten, have had food poisoning all day and still have a 2.5 hour drive home once we land at 11:35pm you bet I'll give up my seat....and so I did. When I arrived in Atlanta I found FOOD and got to the gate as I had to wait till take off for the voucher etc as I was told. Once at the gate they said the flight is no longer sold out so they gave me a new seat,,,,,yes row 34 out of 36 and I gave up row 5....seriously....why even take my seat until you know you will need it??? Now i have to get off very last with a 2.5 hour drive home!! Not happy and by now the tummy issues have turned into terrible Gas! hahaha.....so I get on the plane and I find myself having to explain to the couple beside me and apologize in advance that I suffered food poisoning all day while running and now I have uncontrollable gas, now if my son was with me atleast I could blame him? Landed fine and got my car and headed home, at this time I really felt sorry for the folks next to me as I was confined by myself in my car for 2.5 hours and it was too cold to roll the windows down!!
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