I have had quite an exciting and exhausting weekend, so will only post a few impressions of my race now, and get to all of the other wonderful experiences bit by bit, later.
I am alive and well, and able to go down stairs forwards. I have a slight limp when I commence walking from any rested position, but after the first 10 steps I don’t shuffle very much. I will be icing the backs of my knees, especially my right one today.
The temperature yesterday during my race officially reached 28C/82F, the sun shone brilliantly, and my last 10 km were accomplished entirely without shade.
I finished my first marathon yesterday in 5:58 with overwhelmingly good spirits. Positive splits – my second half was at least 20 minutes longer than my first. I finished the first half at 2:47. There were a couple of miles in the last hour which I walked almost entirely, but mostly I stuck to my 10:1s. I probably could have pushed harder in the last 5 km, but I was not out there to qualify for anything, nor did I wish to end up at the finish staggering and incoherent.
I was out there to celebrate my training. I celebrated 6.5 years of being able to lace up shoes and launch myself through space. Every km marker I approached after 32 (my longest training run) became a small miracle in itself, and I had a mini-party at each one.
Thank you so much for your encouragement over this last while – I will answer you all one by one. It was great that you all could be with me!
All Downhill From Here 
Way to go girl!!! Now I know you made it. Wanted to be there for you. And I was, from here. Now love yourself and relax a while, okay? XOX, Mom
By: Mom on July 10, 2006
at 1:36 pm
yay for you, karen. can’t wait to read the full report.
By: jeff on July 10, 2006
at 1:41 pm
Woohoo!!!! You no longer have to whisper the “m” word. You did it! Congratulations – you’ve worked so hard to accomplish this. Sorry I couldn’t be there in person, but I was there in spirit. Can’t wait to hear all the details.
By: yolanda on July 10, 2006
at 2:31 pm
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Dawn (aka Pink Lady) on July 10, 2006
at 4:24 pm
Excellent! Congratulations. 🙂
By: Mark on July 10, 2006
at 4:41 pm
That’s awesome news Karen!! You are now a “marathoner”, congratulations! Sounds like it was quite a warm one to be going 42.2k the first time – well done. Looking forward to theb detailed report and photos…
By: wobbly man on July 10, 2006
at 7:48 pm
Congratulations Karen! It was exciting to see you on your way back.
..Your Fellow Marathoner Sheila-from-the-running-room
By: Sheila on July 10, 2006
at 9:15 pm
Congratulations on completing your first marathon. You are a marathoner now, enjoy the feeling!!
By: Jack on July 11, 2006
at 12:09 am
CONGRATULATIONS!
Finished AND can walk down stairs frontwards? THAT is an amazing accomplishment. You are totally my hero!
By: Pamalamadingdong on July 11, 2006
at 6:02 am
Congratulations Karen. A marathon is a heck of a long way. You did it! Be proud, take a break and later, start planning your next marathon. Good job!
By: Robb on July 11, 2006
at 6:38 am
You did GREAT girl!!!!!!!! and you looked so good at the finish!
By: Linda on July 11, 2006
at 12:29 pm
Wonderful to hear that you made it — and you made it such a wonderful experience!!!!
By: Anne on July 11, 2006
at 2:55 pm
KAREN rocks!
The ENTIRE Cooksley family ROCKS!
And so does the entire Calgary Penguin & Road Runner contigent – it ROCKS!
I’m just back in CB and all tired out, about to crash into bed, but THANK YOU SO MUCH!
🙂
By: *jeannelouwho* on July 11, 2006
at 4:46 pm
YEAH!!!! Great job on your first marathon, especially given the warm conditions. You ROCK girl!
By: linae on July 11, 2006
at 4:56 pm
Yay! Congrats on finishing your first marathon!
By: Christine on July 11, 2006
at 7:29 pm