Wow!
Your ability to mentally and physically push through is nothing short of amazing. You will always have that race to serve as memory of how to push through that physical pain..love your stick and brick pictures!! 
Good for you having a plan - I think that really helps with the "what ifs." You were able to reason out a plan..see all that thinking does help!!
Congratulations wonder woman. You've completed your first marathon. What a sweet accomplishment.
Kudos to Maggy as well!
"You can't get what you want till you know what you want." Joe Jackson
2006 Cannondale Feminine/Ultegra/Jett
2012 Trek Speed Concept 9.5/Ultegra/saddle TBD