26.2. In my home town? YES PLEASE! After coming off from my first Marathon at Disney, my original plan was to volunteer for the Ocala Marathon. I said I was going to run one and be done. Well let’s just say I got the running bug! 14 days after completing my first MARATHON, I ran and completed my 2nd MARATHON! I still can’t believe I, Erika Joy Robertson, am a MARATHONER!
If you haven’t run a race in your home town, I highly recommend it. Seriously. Go find one and register for it. Now. There is no packing (hallelujah) for those who travel with a 2 year old you will sing Glory in the Highest! Second, you get to eat your own food. Third, and my most important you get to SLEEP IN YOUR OWN BED! Can I get an AMEN! Yes, thank you!
I must admit it didn’t feel real as me and the boys were walking into the Paddock Mall to go to the expo, but once inside and you see fellow runners wearing their running shirts, and you see all the apparel for sale (of course at a ‘runners discount’ ) which means not much at all, picked up my race packet, checked out the vendors then headed for home for our pre marathon nap aka our normal Saturday afternoon siesta! And yes on weekends, when Nolan takes his afternoon nap, so does Mommy and Daddy! Did I mention how taking a nap before a race in your own bed is amazing….well let me say it again. It was amazing!
That night, I ate my usual pre long run meal. My homemade Turkey Feta Meatballs from the awesome Runner’s World Mag, got Nolan ready for bed,got my running ensemble together, then we weren’t too far behind him. I only woke up twice, nervous pee I guess haha! Then up at 5am, ate my breakfast, drank my coffee then off we went!
We arrived at the mall at 6:15am. Nolan has become quite the early bird when it comes to race mornings! He had his blanket and we rolled the window down and he was telling “Go runners” as people walked by the car. Since this was a small race, I just hung out in the car. Kept the heated seats on while finishing up my coffee
Finally it was time to get my game face on. I headed to the starting line, did a double check of my gear, and said a prayer. I knew the course was going to be alittle more difficult than Disney.
The first 18 miles were going great. 
Kept a little more than 10 minute pace. Met up with some friends, and met some new ones! That is one of the great things about running! Then the sun came out, and it heated up quick. Than the mental part of running started settling in. I knew what has ahead of me aka 42nd street hill and I started praying. And worshiping. Just as I was starting to get tired, over my headphones came the sweet voice of Kari Jobe’s song “You are Good’ In that very moment, the focus switched from me to Him. I was running a marathon and was able to worship the one who was giving me the strength to put one foot in front of the other! How awesome is that! After that song came on, Oh Happy Day came on and I arrived at the next water/food stop. There was my sweet boys cheering Mommy on! 
Then the heat hit me and I could barely get my legs going again.
Time to get in the zone. So I cranked up some Skillet and tackled that hill.
Once I got up that hill I was almost to mile 25 and I had nothing left. I kept going between power walking and running. I made the last turn to mile 26 and could hear the cheering. I saw Nolan and Jeremy and willed my body to finish strong. Nolan came running to me yelling “Go Mommy”. I scooped him up in my arms and crossed the finish line holding my little man! I crossed the finish line at 5:2:58. Only a minute slower than Disney and on a Boston Qualifier Course, I will say well done!
And with that picture I close this post. I ran 26.2 miles then 14 days later I did it again. I think my marathon days are over for awhile. Jeremy and I have a half marathon we’re looking at in a few months, but as far as 26.2, I have came and conquered you twice. Thank you for the memories!
