I DID IT!!
I spent a few days worried about getting sick. DH, DD and DS were all sporting the same
virus and I was working hard to care for them but needed to stay well. DH really stepped up and mainly took care of
them, so that I wouldn’t get sick. I was
also pumping the Emergen-C and other things in a desperate attempt to stay
well. All I hoped for was to wake up
Saturday morning and not be sick. It
worked. I work up at 4AM, a full hour
before my alarm, with only the slightest amount of nasal congestion. I went ahead and took a mild decongestant and
some ibuprofen, I was a little worried about the drying effects but really
needed to stay clear and ache free. I
laid in bed until 5AM, just trying to relax and fall back asleep. DH got up to shower and I got ready. Eventually ate my Luna bar and all that pre-race
jazz, got the kids up and headed out around 6:15.
We met up with my sister, and a friend of mine (T), did the
bathroom shuffle, walked, stretched and lined up. We lined up properly at the 13 minute sign
and now I kind of regret it. It took 4
minutes to cross the start line, that is the longest for me to date. Once we got out the gate, I felt good. I planned on keeping with my training with a
half mile run/half mile recovery.
Getting out of the first mile was a HUGE PITA. I have no clue how people do the huge
marathons. Multiple times there were
people 4 to 6 across, that lined up around the 10 or 11 minute sign, just
freaking walking. I expended way too
much energy trying to pass them. I
should have just hung back, lesson learned.
T and I were together at first and then I pulled forward, then she
did. I knew I would be towards the back
of the pack and I kept telling myself, not to look behind me. Seeing yourself so alone is mentally
challenging.
Everyone was passing me.
And the pacers on bikes felt like demons waiting to take me to the gates
of Hell. I spent the first 4.5 miles
really worried I was going to be picked up.
I was maintaining a sub 15 m/m and the required pace was 16 m/m but that
was my biggest fear of the day. Around
mile 3, I also saw a woman on the corner.
It freaked me out a bit and I got nauseated, which is funny because I
had no idea why she was sitting there.
She just looked overheated. I
later found out she was hit with some nausea and need medical attention. At mile 4, a guy was holding a sign that said
“Random athlete you inspire me.” I
really liked that sign and it gave me a badly needed boost. The first 5 miles were straight up the
parkway, which is slightly up hill, off and on shaded and felt never
ending. That stretch was mentally
challenging because of how hot and humid it was. I had a hard time keeping my heart rate in
check and not overheating.
Once we took the first turn (about 5.5 miles), I sucked a GU down to ward off
some nausea I was feeling. The pacers no
longer concerned me. Mile 6 through 8
were freaking awesome. I picked up some
speed. Found loads of shade. The humidity was dropping slightly. At mile 7, there was another sign that said
“Trust your training.” I started to tear
up. It was so true. I had done these miles before in similar
weather conditions. That was the moment
I realized I was going to do this. My
time might suck but time was never a goal.
I just wanted to complete it.
From mile 7 on, I started picking people off, right and left. It was kind of awesome. Everyone was tiring out and starting to walk
but I was able to do what I trained to do.
Run half a mile then recover.
Till mile 9. I teared up again
around mile 9 because I was really going to freaking do this. I could taste it and feel it. I could see Market Street as I came up the
bridge on Lake Woodlands, by North Shore.
At mile 9.5, my mind was on a high.
I was almost there. About to hit
Grogan Mills. Less than half a
mile. And my legs quit. They were officially done. My quads were locking up. My glutes were on fire. I didn’t run much of the last mile until the
last quarter or so. Did I mention it was
hot? While the humidity really had
dropped and the clouds were coming in, it was still around 78* or so. I had hit a second GU at 8.5 but I was just
out of steam. Once I rounded the HEB
corner, I started running again. I was
sprinting at that point. So many of the
runners that were done and heading to their cars, were stopping to cheer us on. They were all promising that I was almost
there and just to keep going. They were
all so proud of me. J One guy gave me a high five, that almost
knocked me on my butt. I saw the finish
line and practically stomped on it, I hit is so hard. I also did the arms up, eyes closed, yelling
yeah thing. My picture will look
ridiculous. Then I cried. I was trying not to bawl because I didn’t want
to look like a freak, though my finish line celebration probably sealed that
deal. I grabbed a medal and bottle of
water. I was just happy to be done. At mile 3, I truly felt that there was no way
I was going to see that finish line.
Crossing it was absolutely amazing.
I walked for a bit. I
needed some time to down shift. Drank
water, took pictures, found food, stretched, took more pictures and then it was
done. We had a Daisy troop outing later
in the day, so I needed to get home, shower, rest, eat and head out again. I didn’t wear my medal around all day, though
I thought about it. I have no idea how
those people did the Boston marathon in warm temps. I’m confident that I can complete a half, if
it ever cools down. I’m incredibly proud
of myself. For not only doing it but sticking
through the training. Training isn’t for
the weak.
Stats: 10 miles,
2:32:00, Pace: 15:12
PRs: Officially this race is PR for everything. My previous race distance record was 5k and pace was 15:17 for my last 5k.
I’m a little bummed I didn’t sub 15. I had sub 15 for most of my practice runs and
had hoped that the adrenaline of the race would give me a good time. I was sub 15 until the last 2 miles. I also hate the timing company used because
the age groups were sorted by pace based off of gun time and not chip time. I did some silly pictures, so I can’t wait to
see them.
Santa Hustle half marathon on December 23rd is
next!
