Spoiler alert- it was AWESOME!
I signed up for this race way back in the spring- I think even the day registration opened. Determined to have vindication on
my race experience last year and to train my heart out and crush this thing. Well- training didn't go as I planned. For no other reason than I was a huge slacker and just didn't commit fully. So I was a little trepidatious as this race approached, but I knew I could finish. Probably not as fast as I wanted to, but
I would finish. My sister was still running so I went through with it.
Friday as quitting time approached I started to get really excited about the race. Just something about race weekend that thrills me. I went right after work to pick up my race packet.
Saturday afternoon I spent sometime with Laura at our parents house and we talked ourselves up. Got more excited. Set goals. Decided what and how many layers to wear. Saturday night I laid out my clothes. Sue's Crew T's in honor of our aunt Sue.
Sunday morning I drove to my sister's house before the sun came up so we could drive to the race together.
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| Hanging out, keeping warm int he convention center before the start. |
We stayed in as long as possible before heading out to the start line. We meandered out and slid into the corral. Laura look around and said- "I think we need to move back, we're up too far." We walked back a bit until she said- "this feels right." As we stood there laughing and joking and listening the banter around us- we realized yup- these were our people! :P Much less serious about the course and just out to do their best and survive this thing :-D Though the lady in front of us heard us joking and turned around saying, we "looked professional". Not at all but
thank you!
At the start line. We were pretty excited it was snowing a little. I love running in the snow. Always feels magical.
About half a mile in I realized laughing that I never started my watch. So my watch data is around half a mile short. But half a mile difference was easy enough math, even for me, to figure out my rough mileage as I trotted along.
Laura stayed with me through mile 1 and then took off to chase her own goal. I happily waved her off, stating I was good! And I was! I seriously loved this race! I had a blast, I felt strong and capable.
The first 2-3, maybe even four miles my glasses kept fogging up from the snow. I stepped in a puddle pretty early on (because of my impaired vision from fogged up glasses.) So my feet were soaked and cold the majority of the run.
I think I took this picture around mile 4 attempting to show the snow in the air. But you can't really see it.
I signed up for text alerts on Laura's run once I knew we wouldn't be together. I was pumped to get texts when she crossed each check point and see she was on target for hitting her goal!
I wrote on my wrist to help me if I got discouraged. I thought about Sue a lot. I thought about how different my life is from last year. How good my God is. I thought about how full and thankful my heart was. How blessed I felt to be out there running.
When I needed a push I just kept repeating to myself. Strong. Powerful. Sue's Crew. You got this. Run. Strong.
I fueled with dinosaur fruit snacks. 😂 I ate a pack around mile 6 and again at mile 9. I really think they helped. Also hit every.water.stop. I did pass on the one where spectators were handing out beer though :P
This was one of my favorite and prettiest parts of the course. Just before mile 10. =)
I made sure to take a selfie at mile 10 because that was one of the points I actually enjoyed last year. Laura too a pic of me last year hitting the sign. =D
Miles 11 and 12 were the hardest. I remember hitting mile 11 and being like just over two left. That's your easy, every day go to run. You can do this!
I slowed down considerably, I walked more than I did in the rest of the race probably. If I could've kept up my pace maybe I would have hit my goal. But I feel like I did my best. The best I could yesterday. I genuinely enjoyed the whole half marathon. I felt so amazing at the end. Sore for sure. But so unbelievably HAPPY!! I was overjoyed. At one point I was beginning to waver and a lady passed me and said something to the effect of, "Great job! You look strong!" It was just what I needed and gave the boost I needed to hold my head high and keep truckin' on. Keep moving forward. Even when I was starting to fade I told myself, keep moving forward. That's all you have to do.
Shortly before I hit mile 13, nearing the finish line my sister popped up again and ran with me a little bit. Helped me pick up the pace.
It felt awesome hearing my name announced as I approached the finish line.
I did it! And I could not be prouder!
Pancake breakfast! YUM! So much better than last year... or maybe it was me. =)
The tiny Dunkin' cups crack me up. I sure did enjoy that thimbleful of coffee the ride home though.
And let me tell you a hot shower never felt so good!
<3 This awesome guy even made dinner. <3
OK so here are the official results. I wasn't sure if I wanted to post them. Not my best time. In fact my slowest Half to date. But an awesome experience.
And you know what... I did it! I finished! And of that I am proud! One thing I am super proud of is not getting down on myself. The whole time- I knew I was doing the best I could in that moment and I told myself I was rocking it. For me this is huge! I always end up berating myself for not doing better. But today I am nothing but proud. Do I wish I had trained better and been more consistent- sure. But I am happy and proud of this run. Ready to look forward to the next one. This one definitely left me hungry for more!
Some goals for the coming year-
- Successfully complete a half marathon training plan
- Get under 2:45 in a half and then work down to sub 2:30
- Get my pace back down in the 11's consistently on everyday runs
- Get to the point where 3 miles could be my easy every day run
- Be grateful for each day I am alive and able to be out there RUNNING
