Part 2
Mile 21-23
The water stations are now all filled with warm water, not exactly my cup of tea unless I am craving hot tea of course. Apparently the Pittsburgh Marathon had not thought to address the recently occurring situation with the Sun and it's keyed car. Oh and I peed myself again.
Mile 24
Rita's!!!!! Bless you child!! Actual ice..why is the whole race not just Rita stations??? Fantastic!
Mile 25
Conjuring any strength I have left I make my way into the city. I don't care about the finish anymore..all I care about is appeasing the girlfriend as she works the medal's section of the volunteering. I figure, what's worse than full body pain? the wrath of a female due to you not showing up, that's what.
Mile 26
I am hovering within my own body at this point. My legs feel anything but attached but I figure as long as they are working, might as well let them do their thing. Friends are cheering me on as I approach the finish line but all I can think about though is how soaked my left foot is and how dry my right one is. I can finally see it... the end...
The Finish
I cross the line...barely..head bobbing, knees giving out and arms dragging...and I make it...right into the arms of two kind gentleman that have decided that I am probably not 100%.
The Medical Tent
Next thing I know, I am being thrown into a wheelchair pushed by my medal giving girlfriend to the nearest medical tent. Apparently..I was a bit dehydrated. Volunteers rush to grab me and throw me on table and jab some sort of IV in my arm. I being just happy not running and completely okay with just about anything they throw at me. In hindsight, this was not the best mentality since the next thing I remember is them prodding me with a probe as to take my temperature.
Typically I had envisioned my finish to be full of glory as I crossed the finish line...instead I was now surrounded by nurses being probed up my rear....how dreamy.
The T
After about 30 minutes of this procedure they decided I was fit enough to get home from there so I grab my medal and shame covered pride and proceed to walk to the nearest T station to get home. Well next thing I know, I am not feeling too good. Despite all the medical care, they had neglected to feed me any food so I could feel my body giving out as if a black hole had decided to make camp inside me. Tons of people cram in on the T, it was rather unexpected. I originally had been excited as this was my first time on the T so I figured it would be a memorable experience.
Sadly I only remember about a minute of it before passing out mid ride due to the heat and lack of nourishment. A few passengers carry me off the T and lay me down while one other person calls 911 for an ambulance. I was barely coherent but even a barely coherent me doesn't want to pay unneeded medical bills. After much pleading and some bites from a stolen cliff bar (compliments of the girlfriend) I manage to get them let me go.
From there is was a short trek back full of recovery and a shower of course..
All in all it was quite the experience. Can't say it was awful but I will say it was unique. Pittsburgh handled a lot of different runners that day most of which I am sure had quite a wonderful time.