We had to wake up very early, so for that, I thank my adoring fans. Todd had to awaken the pups to get up and go. It was a dark and quiet drive there. Often throughout the morning I thought to myself how only crazy people wake up this early to go RUN.
It was a great, flat, well-organized race. They had heats for runners to start in based on expected finishing time so that everyone wasn't in one huge gaggle of flailing arms and twitching legs. That's always nice.
My first mile was not the easiest. I kept thinking my shins kind of smart because I didn't stretch enough. But then after the first mile, I didn't give my shins a second thought. I had warmed up. I actually ran fast for the first 3 or 4 miles. I thought I had better slow down because I couldn't keep a 10.5 minute mile up for much longer.
We had great cheerleaders along the course. I saw some hysterical signs. People really put some thought into their messages. Here are the most memorable signs that I saw:
- Worst Parade Ever
- Run Faster, I Farted
- If Brittany Spears Can Survive 2007, You Can Survive This Race!
- Faster Faster Faster
- That's what she said (of course this one was right next to the one above)
 |
| Iconic fountain at the round-about |
 |
| Picturesque Loose Park |
I had not visited these iconic landmarks since we've been back, so I was happy to run past them. I actually took pics, because I wanted to remember this race. It may be the only time I run it.
I was very impressed with how well organized the race was. There were Gatorade / water stations and port-a-potties almost every other mile, it felt like. And around mile 6, there was a "Gu station" where they handed out opened packets of energy-gu! I LOVED THEM FOR THAT! I brought my own energy beans which I used, but I loved trying a new brand. Another group of cheerleaders had bowls of gummy bears. Another lady was handing out ropes of licorice.
Somehow I got a burst of energy at mile 11 and again at mile 12. About a half mile before the end, I had the strangest sensation that I HAD to pee and I seriously didn't know if my muscles were going to allow me to hold it or not. I mean, every muscle in my body was focused on finishing. Finishing this dang thing so it could be over.
About 10 seconds before the finish line, Todd was there cheering me on and got a few pics. I was never so happy in all my life to stop moving.
 |
| Right before I finished my first Half Marathon! |
My second most urgent need was to drink that blessed water. Everything in my body was telling me that I Needed. To. Drink. That. Water!!! But as I struggled to get myself redressed (and try to use my phone with sweaty fingers), I reached up to get that brand new bottle of unopened water only to hear it... plop. The damn thing slid off the top of the slanted toilet paper holder and dove straight down into the blue abyss of the potty. I looked down and I swear it was right on top, right there in all the muck mocking me. O.M.G. Noooo!
I come out of the stall dazed and light headed and desperate for water. Todd luckily found me. Did I mention my sweaty fingers couldn't type on my phone while I was in the john to tell him where I was? And I had tried calling him but there was NO SOUND. So. Frustrating.
So I tell him I have to have water now. We start walking towards all the food booths, and I see some friends we know. Todd was in front of me and he didn't see them, but I did. I was in a panic, almost in tears I was so desperate for water, I run up to them and say to my fellow runner "can I have your water?", to which he immediately gave it to me. His wife was instantly worried and asked if I wanted to sit down or go to the ER people. Nope, I just needed some water. THAT was sort of a panic-stricken feeling that I never want to experience again.
Thankfully, after I drank the entire bottle, I felt better. We saw a few people we knew were there, walked around and got a little food to snack on, then left. As we walked the eternity back to the car, I realized what really hurt on my body were my shoulders. I had woken up that morning with a stiff neck that wouldn't turn to the left but with a warm shower I had loosened it up enough to know I was going to be OK. I purposefully shook my hands out at least every mile and tried to keep my arms down. I guess I didn't do that often enough. That was unexpected.
Also unexpected was my time. You see, I had experienced 2 sinus infections and stressed my Achilles tendon, all within the past 2 months. I had to adjust my training plan so many times, I abandoned it. I had no expectations to make the original time I really wanted, of 2 hrs 30 minutes. But guess what? I came in at 2:35:13.9! I am AMAZED that I finished in only 5 minutes more than my original goal. I hardly had any time to work on speed training.
So there you have it. I did a half marathon. I can check that one off my list. Now, I'm ready to stick with 10K's. I can run a blazing fast 6.2 miles now.
No comments:
Post a Comment