Finally... I know I know (slacker)!

I can't believe it is June.... it marks our 6th month back in the USA, end of the school, 2 months since London and the beginning of summer!!! I have been a major slacker since the marathon with the blog! A break was needed. All the little stuff that I chose to put off during that time seemed to hit after I got back from London. Once you get involved in something that requires time and energy in places you are not use to giving you learn what really needs to get done vs. what you think you should get done. Gratefulness sets in and resentment leaves... but that means a major re-organization!

One last HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me, prayed for me and donated. The awareness and funds raised for Autism is beyond words... the love and support and I felt during that time is beyond words.... it is a time I will hold close to my heart and one that I feel so privileged to be apart of.

The actual marathon lived up to every minute minute given to get there. It raised over 50 million pounds for charity. That is an incredible amount of money along with an incredible amount of humanity coming together to make it happen. You could feel that humanity through every minute of the marathon. The stories of loss and hope were moving and heartbreaking.

Here's a bit of play by play...

As 30,000 of gathered at one start and about 6,000 at another start the stories of loss and hope were heartbreaking coming over the speakers... I knew it was going to be overwhelming... you hear about this aspect of the marathon but you can't imagine the impact until you are immersed in it. The amount of people cheering and watching was beyond what I could have ever imagined. The true compassion of people to do more for others, to raise awareness for something that has touched their lives, to stand on the side of the road and cheer for 36,000 people running by.... not to mention the sights of London..

Mile 1: we are off... all three of us thinking it is not nearly as congested as we imagined -

after we crossed the start line it did take several minutes to get across it. Then the start of the Go Layla's begin...

Mile 3: booing... yes booing we hear, what is that? A tradition when the two start zones merge we learned and the real congestion begins! and another Go Layla (the elites started earlier then the rest of us)

Mile 5: water... water bottles everywhere... Michelle gets doused numerous times! We are laughing! another Go Layla

Mile 6: PEOPLE everywhere.... we are talking 10 deep on BOTH sides of the roads... parties, groups of charities everywhere, bands, music, cheering, posters, sea of runners and spectators.... I will not be needing my ipod for this race at all... and another Go Layla

Mile 7: woo it is HOT for London... this could be really hard for a lot of people (Kathleen trained in more snow then not, she is feeling the heat) and another Go Layla... oh wait I think I heard a GO Michelle on that one-Layla and I both need bodyglide...be on the lookout!

Mile 8:. when I first saw Tower Bridge goose bumps! ... running over Tower Bridge amazing... seeing friends just over Tower Bridge... awesome! And another Go Layla

Mile 9: Go Layla oh yeah and a Go Kathleen... Layla chimes in I think people like saying the name Layla... Kathleen and Michelle... yeah whatever (haha)

Mile 12 we were met by cheers from JDRF (Layla's charity) incredible!

Mile 13: Looking for NAS... should be coming up any minute!

Mile 14: NAS (a lot of the big charities were giving a good size spot along the course for family and friends to spectate from) I was expecting a good boost from my charity but it was unbelievable... where is my Dad and Jill... GO MICHELLE is loud and clear... tears start.... somehow missed seeing my Dad and Jill in the crowd but I know everyone was cheering they were there... I will be back at mile 22.. YEAH ok control the tears and keep running

Mile 15: I can't believe we have not stopped for a second.... even running through water stops... it is hot.... I think we are on pace.

Mile 16-17: THE most congested area of the race and probably the most gruelling for me. It seemed hotter and longer. People are starting to drop from the heat. Tunnels... GPS watches all going wacky! We have to slow way down because of congestion - for most of the race it is hard to stay in a steady pace because of all the people - but totally worth it!

Mile 18: Feeling a bit low... GU time. more electrolytes. Still can't believe all the people. This is awesome! The mind games start, seriously this is far who the heck runs 26.2 miles, I can walk no big deal....NO just keep running Michelle, don't stop.

Mile 19-20: Ok I will be seeing family and friends soon.... JDRF again... more friends yeah..

Mile 21: Can't believe Layla and I have been able to stay together with all these people! Kathleen wasn't far behind... Layla and I had a bit more heat preparation! Don't stop Michelle!

Mile 22: NAS again and there is my Dad and Jill... overwhelmed again! THIS IS AWESOME soak it up, love it and feel it..... tears again...

Mile 23: home stretch... one more gu.... pull it together... need the ipod... I was actually too overwhelmed and I needed to zone out for these last few miles. Layla and I separate... I think this was my low point and need a booster I remembered my Aunt telling me how she was praying for me to be confident as Aaron and Moses were... it lit a fire and I was back, it was amazing!

Mile 24 & 25: Ok feeling better... lots of GO Michelle's, keep soaking it all in, look at people, running along Thames River, Big Ben, Parliament and no congestion. End of mile 25 IPOD off. Don't stop take it all in.

Mile 26: This is it... you are almost there... the mall (amazing and beautiful)... totally overwhelmed again... it is beautiful... we are all pushing it, side by side, Buckingham Palace... one more corner to the finish... my kick is in full gear.

THE .2: Coming around the corner.... a little more of that kick... huge SMILE on my face... is that guy naked.... almost but not quite... he can't beat me.... this is IT!!!!!!!

I guess the naked guy was Borat... should I be embarrassed or does it make me want to run faster (he also made it in the paper)

The sense of accomplishment... amazing... the race better then I could have ever imagined!

Look at my watch eventually.... 27.1 miles, what? Aren't marathon's 26.2! We made it in 4:16 we totally got our time... we wanted a 4:15 officially my time was 4:16:45 but we also ran 27.1... so I suppose a true 26.2 would have given me a time under 4:10!

It was an amazing day! The entire experience... life changing! Thank you for helping me make it happen!

Took a bit but found our family and friends and then we were escorted over to the NAS post party. NAS was given a room at the one of the oldest hotels in London right by the Horse Guards if anyone has been to London. They had good food, drinks and most of all they had 15 gorgeous rooms to set aside for each one of us to shower and then a proper 15 minute massage plus it was just fun to be with all the runners who ran for the same reason.

The walk back to the hotel... over the Thames River, past The London Eye... I need a coke! Dad and I head into good ol' McD's for a coke - standing in a long hot line not great for the tummy, I think I might be sick, be right back Dad, yep where is the toilet and now, find the toilet, ok better now, find my Dad - with coke in hand... ahhhh all is well now! Continue walking to the hotel and my post marathon beer and then off to a good dinner!

It took me way longer then expected partly why this post took so long to get online but I made a video of the race (it has all of our personal pictures in it). Hope you enjoy it... it was a follow up to the awesome one that our friend Tracy made before we left! Thank you again!

Final Amount Raised: $2966.00 WOW WOW WOW!

Thank you Team KLM... could not have done it without you!

Here is the link... any problems viewing let me know! Cut and paste into your browser!

http://youtu.be/RbI4dpwp7l4

Random pictures from the day...

Running for Aide in Japan

Who might that be???

The couple who got married at mile 20...

Dedication...

I have heard about people just collapsing in a race but I have never seen it until London...the last few miles people were dropping everywhere... it was crazy to see! It was a warm day in London!