I am a MARATHONER!

First... let me say THANK you to EVERYONE! You guys are the absolute BEst... We all know how great Robin, Mark, Matt and Scotty are... BUT EACH and evryone of you... I am still in awe! It was so great to get to know so many of you... I have one really main thing to say to all of you... well first, I am sorry that there were so many who did not finish... but maybe... just maybe... GOD AIN't quite done here yet! I think we all gotta hang in there to do it again!... Now... he helped y'all out a bit by lettin me off the hook... for those of us who started early... there was quite a day! I was actually able to follow the entire course and do the 26.2. I was not sure around 22 if I should thank God or not when they instructed everyone off the course to wait for shuttles at the medical tent.... I am thinking... SHUTTLES... ok... I am sure a few thousand are all ready in, BUT there is no way you can shuttle this many people!... BUT... I follow instructions...asked when I got to the tent... she said I could wait if I wanted. Then another lady began to yell that there were only 4 miles left and those who were able should go on but Do not run (HA... I never planned to anyway so that worked out just fine for me!) I carried my carcass right back out to the road (dang... that woman really screwed my time up!...I wish I hadn't stopped for so long at the tent) The people were so kind when it was just us early risers... we got so much positive encouragement! People were so kind... I think I wondered for a brief moment as we approached the first real crowds lined up if they might think how stupid it was they we were out there like that... but... they called us by name... each of us individually... those first hours before the KENYANS! and then even after as runners raced past us... the spectators called out OUR names... "We know you can do it!" "I think it is so great that you are out there!".... "Go Mississippi!" Other runners... Leslie (Fleet Feet) was the first one who passed that I really knew... patted me on the back and asked if I was ok... Then Micah, came up after Linda and I splint and walked with me a bit... I felt so great!...Other runners would say.. You ok? You are doing great!... You are there girl.... LINDA... wow! First... She said yes when I asked her to do this... then she got hurt in JUNE! (Robin PLEASE GIVE LINDA THE MASON TOP FOR THE 1/2 Marathon she did not get to do. She has completed a 1/2 now and it is REALY important to her!) Saturday about lunch time... Linda said... "Davis.... you have DRUG me at least 6 miles yesterday and again today! I think I am gonna do this!" I had dedicated mile 6 to her so she said she would start with that and just see how she felt. At 6 she was fine (and the Kenyans had not passed us yet!) about 8 I figured they wer close because several wheel chairs had already passed... I got up a few steps ahead of Linda, Onetta, and Pat... when the Kenyans came up... THOSE three began to run and I got the picture! (HOPE IT TURNS out!) The crowd loved it! and so did we... It was priceless!... on we went...just before the half Linda said..."If I make it to the half...Robin is gonna have to give me one of those mason jar lids when I get home!" (I assured her that I would if Robin didn't) She was FINE... we saw and hugged Robin... Oh yeah.... I cried as I showed Robin that Linda was with me... ok here I go again.... tearing up... gosh! get over it Davis! Then on to 14, 15, 16.... I said I think I will try to use the toilet and Linda agreed.... we got seperated... I waited for her and she'd gone... I caught up around 17 or maybe 18... and we parted ..... Then not long before they anounced the race was over... It has been called off... went over at least one clock that was off and NO beeps! I know this was awful for so many of you and I am truly sorry. I can not believe the water situation.... For me... It was nice to have walking partners.....Looking for Positive you know But out of the blue I hear ROBIN..."Lisa....Lisa.... do you want water?" Oh how great... you are there! around the corner... Matt saying "Turn around and give me a smile!"... WOW YOU guys are the best!... I rounded the corner and saw the finish! I actually decided I could RUN across the finish line and I DID! I am a MARAHONER! Thanks!