I ran my fourth half marathon on Sunday. My training has gone great. I managed to stay healthy and injury-free for the entire 12 weeks. That is amazing for me! The Thursday before the race I bailed on a run. It had nothing to do with how I physically felt. I was just emotionally exhausted that day so I cut the run short. I woke up early on Friday morning and took the boys out for a jog to complete that run. It was hard with both boys, but I was so proud of myself for finishing it.
Sunday morning (race day) I woke up and got ready. I had picked up my race number the night before so I didn’t have to rush when I got there. I made sure my Ipod was charged this time (last half-marathon I forgot to charge it). The race started at 10. I got there at 9:30 and realized I left my watch at home. I contemplated taking my cell phone with me, but thought it was just too bulky for my only pocket (a zippered compartment on the back of my running tights – my butt compartment). I got up to the boardwalk and stood in the never-ending line to use the rest room. I made it out just in time for the race to start.
When the announcer said go I got a little emotional. It was weird. I think I was just really proud of what I knew I was about to do. I trained for this half marathon alone. I had a bit of an up and down summer and recently my husband went from working at home to commuting giving me a lot less free time. Through it all I stuck to my training and really had fun with it.
The only clocks during the race were halfway and the finish line. It was really weird to have no idea how fast I was going. Usually there are pacers in the race and my plan was to find the 9 minute mile pacer and stay with them. I quickly threw that idea out the window. I decided this race was about me and what I could do. Every now and then I would catch myself telling myself, “Just let this person pace you.” Then I would get that thought out of my head and tell myself that I will not let someone else decide how fast or slow I run.
The first half was uneventful. I felt strong. The wind was against me which I figured was good because then on the second half it will be at my back. I tried not to pay too much attention to the mile markers and just zone out listening to my music. At the halfway mark the clock said 57:00. I was pretty happy with that. It was a little slower than the halfway mark at my last half marathon, but just by a few seconds. My last time was 1:57:55, so that gave me an hour to make it to the end and I would have a new best time. I always run the second half significantly slower than the first half.
Usually mile 9 is where I hit the wall. I followed a new training program that had a ton of 7-8 mile runs (and that wasn’t even the week’s long run). Those really paid off. I really felt strong the entire time. At about mile 10 I confirmed that I had no desire to run a full-marathon, but I still felt awesome and was sure I could finish the half.
As I neared the finish line I saw my three favorite men standing on the side lines cheering. Nothing pumps me up more than hearing my husband and two boys cheering, “Go mommy!” Then I heard the announcer say, “Under two hours.” I figured that meant we were at 1:59:00. I could have been bummed I didn’t beat my personal best, but instead I thought I better pick it up to make sure I get under two hours.
Then I saw the clock and screamed the happiest screams ever! It said, 1:54 (and change). The crowd laughed at my excitement. I couldn’t believe I ran the second half as fast as the first and crushed my previous time. My official time was 1:54:40. YEAH!!!!
