About four months ago my sister Michelle challenged me to run in a half Marathon. My first reaction was there is no way that this body can run 13.1 miles. So I told her I would think about it. At that time I was able to run up to 4 miles. I never timed myself it was more for exercise and keeping healthy. In that back of my head I was saying I beat if I really focused on it I know I can do it. So I took her up on that challenge.
Two month before the half marathon was the training portion. First week no problem. Second week that to wasn't that hard. I think it was when I had to run my first 5 miles is when it started getting hard, but I pushed through it. I goofed up once with my miles. I was supposed to run 8 miles and ended up running 9 without knowing it. That felt good. When I had to run 10 miles that was daunting. I knew I could do it, but there is always that fear. It was hard. I did it.
Then came the day of the race. My sister and I had to get up at 5:40am to make it there in time to get our packets and numbers. It was a cold morning. The temp was 41 and I wasn't used to the cold mornings. I wore a sweat shirt but took it off before the start of the run.
It was time for the race to start, oh boy I was nervous, excited and scared. I'm glad I had my sister there. The horn goes off and we are off. My sister and I we're at the back, thought it would be easier to pass people. As the race is going we pass a lot of people, that felt great. We kept a great pace. It was fun.
This is us at the half way mark. I was emotional, knowing that I was half way there. The course had rolling hills, made it hard, I wished it was all flat. Because the second time around I was getting tired of going up and down. I pushed on ahead. There was these group of women behind us, My sister told me lets keep in front of them, I thought sure. At around mile 91/2 my sister slowed down and I kept going. The group of women did pass me up. The last two drink stations I walked through them, made sure I drank every drop. I was getting tired. I kept running. Mile 11 and 12 were my hardest. When I saw the finish line I was so glad that it was over and that I did it. My timing wasn't great but I wasn't the last person. If I decide to do it again, I hope to be faster.
Me coming in 2:28 I was hoping for 2:20.
Okay this is funny. I walked right pass the lady giving the medals, she kept saying " Miss, Miss." Finally my sweet husband says she is trying to give you your medal. That was the last thing on my mind. To funny
I've learned a lot from this, make sure you drink at every station. Don't share you energy packs, make sure you have both of them. I couldn't find my second pack before the race so I ran with one. Big mistake. So make sure you have it all ready before the race, which I thought I did. (Sorry Michelle love you and all, but next time bring your own). Keep going, push through, and pick up the pace when you feel like slowing down.
Look how great shape we are in, see what running does for you.
I still have a messed up ankle, but that will heal. I'm going to be doing shorter distance and working on my form.
I got a sweet prize in my goodie bag. A 500 gift card for sun glasses, Looks like me and Cody will get some shades.
