Running On Empty

WHAT a weekend! Who knew that in just one day my whole life could change! It all started on Friday night, while heading home after a carb loaded dinner at Benihana, I received a donation notification of $500! A colleague of the Dean totally made my night. I actually yelled out in delight...so generous, and so appreciated. I went to sleep feeling more confident about my 19 mile run in the morning, simply because I could worry less about my fundraising. I was sleeping very good when my mother woke me up to tell me my brother and sister in law were heading to the hospital, my niece was finally going to make her debut! I jumped out of bed and got dressed. It took me a few minutes to contemplate exactly how I was going to pull this off. It was 1 a.m., I had been asleep for 2 hours and I needed to be awake by 5:30 to get ready for my 7 a.m. run. I decided I was going anyway, and would figure it out later. Of course, she wouldn't be born during those few hours I was at the hospital, but I felt it was important that I was there for a little bit anyway. Reluctantly, come 5 a.m. I left the hospital, telling Carrie that by the time I was done with 19 miles, she would be here!
I drove home to change and get my gear feeling totally insane for even thinking about running our furthest distance yet on two hours of sleep. As the sun started coming up, I started to feel tired, but headed to Palos Verdes with an open mind and a belly full of butterflies. I could not wait to be done running and meet my niece! A good friend I have been going through this whole experience with told me after warm up that because of some pain and injury she decided to switch from the full marathon to the half. I was bummed. We have a lot in common and could really relate in our experiences so far. In the end, I don't know the pain she is feeling, so I hope she made the right decision for her. I wish her the best of luck, but will definitely miss bonding with her after the long runs.
I ended up running the whole 19 miles alongside a Long Beach marathoner, Allison. We chatted when we had the breath, and paced our selves for the distance. There were times when I felt disconnected from my body, and I experienced some lightheadeness after 10 miles or so. I felt crazy for being out there...I kept telling myself it was okay to slow down and walk a bit, I was basically running on empty, aside from a bowl of cereal, liquid fuel and gel packs. Somehow, everytime I thought about how tired I was, my mind raced over to the hospital...and thoughts of the baby being born pushed me along. I thought about her, I thought about my coach, racing in an Ironman, and I thought about me. I did a lot of self motivating when the going got tough...I think I even chanted "FIGHT ON!" in USC tribute. I even managed to pick up my speed after 16 miles. In the last mile, coach Gail sprinted by us, the gazelle that she is, asking how we felt. For the first time in a long time, my answer was "GREAT!" We wrapped up the 19 miles, got in a good stretch (and pats on the back) and I zipped home for my ice bath just as Carrie started pushing. By the time I had rounded up my Oma (soon-to-be GREAT grandma) and boyfriend, the baby had arrived. I wasn't expecting the large crowd at the hospital, but it sure warmed my heart to see baby Pacheco get such a big welcome reception.
I should mention that on my drive home, I cried my eyes out. I was becoming an aunt, a HUGE role that I have been waiting to take, and I pushed myself hard under adverse circumstances. I felt strong. For the first time during my training, I felt like I could run a marathon....and getting to hold my niece Zoey has been the icing on the cake.