All it takes is all you've got

I enjoyed your race report and I am sorry things didn't turn out like the way you trained. We both know you are capable of so much more. I am so proud of what you were able to accomplish despite the Gremlins. Congrats, Nan! I still can't believe you have your babies naturally, at home. You are so tough. I'm a fan!

When I first looked at your results, I was quite excited to see 2:28. Then I looked again, and noticed that you finished 21st. I said, 2:28 should place higher than that and looked closer. Only then did I notice it was a 40 K split.

Nevertheless, without the injury this would have been 2:28 or faster. So perhaps I looked at the right place after all. You are at least a 2:28 marathoner, which is much easier to say now than it was two years ago.

However, had you run 2:28 in this race, you would not have seen the world best and American best being set from a very unique perspective, and who knows what else would not have happened.

Sometimes God slows us down for His purposes. I remember offering a prayer with 2 miles to go in a race that I could have won asking for an explanation of why the gas pedal I was trying to floor was producing no response. The answer came quickly, and it was: "It is not your turn to win". But we are not supposed to know these things until the race is at least almost over, otherwise we will not race like we should.

i am also a fan. a huge fan. thanks for the great write-up on your experience. it was quite an emotional read. i have so much respect for you, nan -- your attitude, perspective, humility and wisdom are just some of the many things that make you such a great athlete and person (and such a great example to me and so many others). i'm proud of you and your determination and guts to finish it out despite the very tough day. that says so much.

Tough to go through but you ran a brave race Nan. You will definitely have better days for sure:)

Thanks for the great report Nan. You know, for someone like myself that only wins races in the middle of the night while I’m asleep, a report like that is much more inspirational than someone who had a breakthrough day, ran 26.2 miles effortlessly and relished in all the glory. As fun as it is to read Paul Petersens race report you couldn’t ever write a book about it without knowing his entire story.

There has never been an inspirational Hollywood movie where the star won every race or game they ever entered. In fact it probably wouldn’t be possible, without the lows it would be impossible to dream about the highs.

So many times you read a race report where the athlete had a bad day in a race and publicly announces they want to give up running completely. You never hear that from you, your faith is so strong and you have an incredible ability to chalk it all up as experience and move on to the next challenge. Your attitude is definitely inspiring.

Thanks again. And good job despite the tough day. Oh, the finish line youtube clip I posted of you had the girl with the (GI issues), I cut it out due to the graphic nature.

Great report! I appreciate you taking the time to write the report so the rest of us can see what your experience was like. Way to never give up!

Nan, those are amazingly cool pics! I hope you dont mind I copied a couple of them. Who took them? Great job on a course that is very challenging to me. I have yet to master it. I havnt given up yet though. Keep up the great work and I hope to see you at the trials!

Welcome to the marathoners club! I could so relate to your experience. My first marathon, at Portland, I endured 8 miles of cramping, and I had no memory of the last 5 miles, so that when I ran the same race the next year nothing after mile 21 was familiar at all. And then spent 2 hours on IV in the medical tent. But it was still a positive experience, and I'm sure you will find the many positives of your first Boston, too! God gives us suffering at times because it is the best way for Him to do His work of growing us into the person He wants us to be!

Nan, you will be back stronger than ever. Injuries are an unfortunate part of being a runner, and history has it that runners always come back stronger. You will do the same! Recover well! Your performance was gutsy and admirable! Hug those babies because you are supermom!

Nan - great report, and sorry it was a hard, painful race. But you are easy to console because your perspective is so good. Precious metal is refined by fire; this will make you stronger as a runner as a person. Way to fight through the pain and still finish to your utmost. Best wishes and success in your next endeavors this summer.

Nan, THank you for your soul-bearing and inspiring race report. I was honored to see you race evening and race morning, and am even more honored and grateful to have read your report and be uplifted by your great attitude and determination. You are not only setting a standard for us bloggers in your integrity and racing, but you are setting a standard and example to the rest of the world. I am so proud of you for fighting through to the end, showing you're a true hero!

I love your reflection on running and your comments: "I’ve gained a stronger belief in myself and faith in the possibilities. My faith in God and gratitude for His goodness is deeper than ever."

I love your attitude of hope, you really are only 'getting better!!!'

Hey! I remember running against you in high school. You were great even back then. Anyway-I have been following your blog a little bit and you are such an inspiration to all and I know you will come back a stronger runner from this. Even in spite of the gremlin leg that is such a FANTASTIC time! Congrats

That was an awe inspiring read. You showed so much character. I have had those thoughts about childbirth and marathoning before. Recover well and train hard for the next one:)

You built a lot of character in this one Nan and still finished in the elite group with an amazing time. Nice job. now take a break, go to France, have fun, don't run, and come back and start fresh in June.

Sorry I will miss you at the BB this year, I guess you get back on memorial day?

Nan - Thanks so much for your race report. As I read it I thought "Is she a writer?" This could be an article out of Runner's World. You are truely an inspiration, and I feel lucky just to know you.

When you're even more famous after the Olympics I can say, "I placed second to her once(TOU), She was 3 or 4 miles ahead of me, but hey... there was no one in between!"

Thanks again for sharing your experience. You did something many people only dream about. - Julie

Thanks for all your comments and positive words, everyone. I agree that its the tough races we learn and grow the most from. I feel a sort of excitement knowing that I have been "cut down" and am ready to grow some more. And I have lots of ideas and inspiration coming to me on how to alter my training for the next cycle to avoid a repeat performance.

Walter-Feel free to copy pictures as you wish, Aaron took them with our buddy's sweet camera.