Gazelle Girl Half Marathon Race Recap
As I'm sure you've seen by my gazillion posts on FB & IG, I completed my first official Half Marathon today!! I know a lot of people who ran marathons today and I'm not sure if I'm quite ready for that feat!!
I'll be honest, I don't feel like this was my best race! I just could not get off the struggle bus! My hips and groin on both sides felt tight (should've ran a warmup, duh). Everything I had taped (left ankle and right knee) held up well. My plan was to start with the 10:30 pacers and catch up to the 10:00 pacers, which unfortunately, I never did. Next time, I think I'd start a little behind the 10s. I passed the 10:30s about mile 1.5. Nothing too exciting to report except that it was a chilly start and I had to undo my backpack to take off the long sleeve I started with at mile 2 but I had pre-applied body glide in case. I was expecting to see my family at mile 4 and the park where they were supposed to be started about mile 2.5 and by the time we were out it was almost 5. So I was bummed out that I had missed them (they weren't there yet, it's hard to get 3 kids out the door and that's a lot of waiting around so I get it). I trudged through the sadness. I took my first gel at mile 4. I felt fine and kept alternating my water and Nuun throughout. We hit the turn around and it's when I started to tank a little. I just didn't feel that great. I sucked down an applesauce pouch so I wouldn't be relying so heavily on gels (thanks, Ashley). I still used all 3 plus the applesauce and caffeine gum.
I started to tear up at mile 7 because I felt like garbage like how the heck was I going to go another 6 miles. I turned the corner and was expecting to see my family soon. I'd need their motivation. I thought about just stopping to hug Adam and have him tell me I could do it because I didn't think I could finish. I saw them about mile 9 and I started crying. I high fived all 3 girls and while I'm sobbing I just thought to myself "You have to prove to your daughters that you can do hard things. They would not want you to give up." So I pulled over to the side and really cried while stretching my groin. I gave myself that little break to get my bearings. At mile 11, I popped some caffeine gum, it didn't do much. I pulled over again to stretch some more. I turned the corner for the big hill/bridge at mile 12. I went up it with all my might. I was pretty out of breath when I was down hill so I knew I gave it my best. Next turn after that is when I saw my family again. Oh, what a happy surprise! I just smiled and put my hands up so they knew Mom didn't quit and she was gonna keep fighting. I took another gel somewhere in there again. My family was an amazing push but I also needed some energy. That last mile felt like an eternity.
Our final turn came and I saw the finish line. I was so happy! I wasn't crying or emotional, I was just happy to be done. I high fived the race director on the way in, grabbed a drink and water. I ate an orange but I honestly wasn't feeling very hungry. I got the text that my time was 2:19:20. I was bummed (I know, I know, that's why you don't have time goals, blah, blah, blah). I got a beer ticket & grabbed one. It was fine but a little lonely to not have anyone to meet up with to celebrate. I drank half of it and dumped it, I just wanted to be home with my family.
Before I left, I decided to go get my official time. The lady says 2:15:46. And I asked, "What?!" so she says it again. Honesty time: I said "Holy shit! That's awesome! My text alerts told me my time was 2:19 and I was a little sad about it so this is great news!"I got home and showered, changed into my race day shirt then the family arrived from their lunch at McDonald's and we started packing up to head home.
Overall, I am proud that I completed it. I am proud of my time; I took 7:14 off my practice 13.1! I would even do it again next year! The little pessimist (let's be real, the big pessimist) in me felt like I could have done better. I know I can dig deeper and do better. The part I need to focus on though is that I RAN 13.1 FREAKING MILES! I'm trying to think about what I could have done differently and I'm not sure what. It just wasn't a super fantastic run. I remember when I signed up for the Run for Your Heart Half last year, Adam says "You know that's like going from our house to Auburn and back right?" I said, "Yeah. So what?" I didn't end up doing that half due to injury but it lit a fire in me. That's not to say he's not supportive so please don't think that! He really truly is but he'll admit he didn't think I could do it then and I'm a much better runner now. It definitely motivated me to show up and keep pushing this winter.
All those winter long runs, short runs in crappy weather, all the layers and ALL THE LAUNDRY paid off. A huge thanks again to all the people I thanked in my status yesterday. I couldn't have done it without so many awesome people cheering me on. Next up is the Midland DOW Run/Walk 10k where Ashley and I are attempting a sub 60 10k. I know we've got that in the bag. Thanks for reading!!
I'll be honest, I don't feel like this was my best race! I just could not get off the struggle bus! My hips and groin on both sides felt tight (should've ran a warmup, duh). Everything I had taped (left ankle and right knee) held up well. My plan was to start with the 10:30 pacers and catch up to the 10:00 pacers, which unfortunately, I never did. Next time, I think I'd start a little behind the 10s. I passed the 10:30s about mile 1.5. Nothing too exciting to report except that it was a chilly start and I had to undo my backpack to take off the long sleeve I started with at mile 2 but I had pre-applied body glide in case. I was expecting to see my family at mile 4 and the park where they were supposed to be started about mile 2.5 and by the time we were out it was almost 5. So I was bummed out that I had missed them (they weren't there yet, it's hard to get 3 kids out the door and that's a lot of waiting around so I get it). I trudged through the sadness. I took my first gel at mile 4. I felt fine and kept alternating my water and Nuun throughout. We hit the turn around and it's when I started to tank a little. I just didn't feel that great. I sucked down an applesauce pouch so I wouldn't be relying so heavily on gels (thanks, Ashley). I still used all 3 plus the applesauce and caffeine gum.
I started to tear up at mile 7 because I felt like garbage like how the heck was I going to go another 6 miles. I turned the corner and was expecting to see my family soon. I'd need their motivation. I thought about just stopping to hug Adam and have him tell me I could do it because I didn't think I could finish. I saw them about mile 9 and I started crying. I high fived all 3 girls and while I'm sobbing I just thought to myself "You have to prove to your daughters that you can do hard things. They would not want you to give up." So I pulled over to the side and really cried while stretching my groin. I gave myself that little break to get my bearings. At mile 11, I popped some caffeine gum, it didn't do much. I pulled over again to stretch some more. I turned the corner for the big hill/bridge at mile 12. I went up it with all my might. I was pretty out of breath when I was down hill so I knew I gave it my best. Next turn after that is when I saw my family again. Oh, what a happy surprise! I just smiled and put my hands up so they knew Mom didn't quit and she was gonna keep fighting. I took another gel somewhere in there again. My family was an amazing push but I also needed some energy. That last mile felt like an eternity.
Our final turn came and I saw the finish line. I was so happy! I wasn't crying or emotional, I was just happy to be done. I high fived the race director on the way in, grabbed a drink and water. I ate an orange but I honestly wasn't feeling very hungry. I got the text that my time was 2:19:20. I was bummed (I know, I know, that's why you don't have time goals, blah, blah, blah). I got a beer ticket & grabbed one. It was fine but a little lonely to not have anyone to meet up with to celebrate. I drank half of it and dumped it, I just wanted to be home with my family.
Before I left, I decided to go get my official time. The lady says 2:15:46. And I asked, "What?!" so she says it again. Honesty time: I said "Holy shit! That's awesome! My text alerts told me my time was 2:19 and I was a little sad about it so this is great news!"I got home and showered, changed into my race day shirt then the family arrived from their lunch at McDonald's and we started packing up to head home.
Overall, I am proud that I completed it. I am proud of my time; I took 7:14 off my practice 13.1! I would even do it again next year! The little pessimist (let's be real, the big pessimist) in me felt like I could have done better. I know I can dig deeper and do better. The part I need to focus on though is that I RAN 13.1 FREAKING MILES! I'm trying to think about what I could have done differently and I'm not sure what. It just wasn't a super fantastic run. I remember when I signed up for the Run for Your Heart Half last year, Adam says "You know that's like going from our house to Auburn and back right?" I said, "Yeah. So what?" I didn't end up doing that half due to injury but it lit a fire in me. That's not to say he's not supportive so please don't think that! He really truly is but he'll admit he didn't think I could do it then and I'm a much better runner now. It definitely motivated me to show up and keep pushing this winter.
All those winter long runs, short runs in crappy weather, all the layers and ALL THE LAUNDRY paid off. A huge thanks again to all the people I thanked in my status yesterday. I couldn't have done it without so many awesome people cheering me on. Next up is the Midland DOW Run/Walk 10k where Ashley and I are attempting a sub 60 10k. I know we've got that in the bag. Thanks for reading!!
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| Cue the tears |
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| How I love my people <3 |
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| Half Marathoner |
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