THE TRUE STORY OF MY FIRST 1/2 MARATHON
PREFACE:
What I told people my goals were: to finish, to get a feel for the distance, to finish under 3 hours, to run at least 7 miles of it.
What my real goals were: to finish between 2:30 - 2:45, to run at least 10 miles.
What my secret desire was: to run the whole thing without stopping.
THE STATS:
Finish Time: 2:02:50 (app. 9:22 m/m pace time)
Rank: 27 of 58 in age group (I finished in the top half!)
Number of times I stopped: 0
THE STORY:
It was quite a different environment than a triathlon. It seemed more solitary pre-race but more festive during the actual event. With triathlons, you have to set up your transition area and you usually talk to your rack-mate (or at least the women do), but once the race starts, you really are on your own. I think having such a big group going out at the same time on the run really helps because you tend to keep up with everybody. By the time you get to the run portion of a triathlon, everyone is pretty spread out.
It all went by fairly quickly, much to my amazement and relief. I had planned all these mind games to play with myself (including funniest sounding Maryland towns - #3 Seat Pleasant, #2 - Buckeystown, #1 - Glen Burnie), but really didn't get a chance to employ them. Hmph - guess I was "focused". Around 9.5 miles I was starting to wane a bit. However, one of the volunteers had a radio and was playing the song "Misery Business" by Paramore. Tri-Toddler loves this song and says "my song, my song" every time we hear it. This just made me laugh and gave me the biggest boost to get through another mile. Then around 10.5 miles I started doing the math (this is another one of my race games - I just do math in my head. It really is challenging when you're oxygen-deprived). I figured I had a pretty good shot at finishing at 2 hours. I could not believe it!! Now, my GPS watch clocked 13.1 miles at 2:00 hours but I was still not at the finish line. I'll let you decide the actual achievement.
I'll admit to my supreme dorkiness - I was tearing up as I approached the finish line and was crying as I crossed it. You have to fully understand my running past. In high school I played field hockey, but couldn't run a mile. I think I only made the team because could drive the ball half-way down the field. I played softball, which doesn't require much running. I didn't start running until January 2006 and I could barely run ½ a mile. In my triathlons, I barely broke 10 minute miles. During a race in May 2007 I ran a 9:44 m/m during a sprint and was so elated. So for me to run 13.1 miles, the farthest I've ever run before, at a pace that's faster than my 10K and even my 5K pace time, it was just so empowering.
EPILOGUE
Man was I hurting afterwards!! Not right after, but once I got home. My abs hurt from top to bottom. I'm sure this was from not having good running form and being so cold. In hindsight I probably should not have chosen my first race to be in 34 degree weather! I probably should have also held back a bit because it's going to be quite a challenge to live up to that accomplishment again (or at least until May when I finish a half-iron tri). But, alas, I did it and I've got the hunter green, unisex, ugly-as-sin, fleece vest to prove it!
"It's good training." - Just Tri Me
2 comments:
I'm so proud of you, Jen. What an awesome accomplishment! Congrats. You finished. You didn’t stop. You didn’t require medical attention and no wild animals with big teeth were remotely interested in you ;-) Yay.
I am soooo glad you love your vest...that's what it's all about!
Thanks for the laugh, I needed it today and if things continue to look like Adrienne and I staying here another year on our own I am counting on you and Brooke to make me smile, keep me company and keep my butt in shape. You find the marathon of your choice and I am there with you! Running ofcourse.
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