As I’m packing to leave for my second half marathon, I figured it was probably time to publish this post… 3 months later.
A half marathon has always been on my bucket list. Every year I’d talk about how I was going to sign up, then every year I would find a reason as to why I couldn’t. I got the kick in the pants I needed when the Crossfit gym I go to, Koda Crossfit, decided to organize an endurance class/training program to get everyone ready for the OKC Memorial Marathon. I had no excuses. I signed up that day.
The OKC Memorial Marathon was scheduled for April 29th and our training program began January 23rd, right at 3 months out. Weekday runs were short. We did a lot of intervals, a lot of speed work, repeats, and Fartlek ladders. I don’t think I ever ran more than 4 miles on a weekday, the perfect distance to bring along Tiny Tornado. Chief did 90% of my weekday runs with me. As long as I kept snacks in his tray and his water cup full, he was a happy camper. I had to take lots of quick breaks during those weekday runs to “top him off”.
My good friend, Laurel, signed up to run the half marathon with me. It was perfect. We’d do our weekday runs on our own, but would always meet on the weekends to run our long runs – sans stroller. Long runs are 96% easier when you’re running with a friend. It’s a fact.
As someone who didn’t run consistently before signing up, I quickly learned of the highs and lows that come with training for a long (to me) distance.
Highs – I ran during sunrises, sunsets, torrential downpours, and 20 mph north winds. I ran through the streets of San Antonio and the backroads of Chelsea. I saw some pretty amazing views and explored new places. Every week I ran further than I ever had previously – weekly PR’s are ridiculously satisfying.
Running in San Antonio.
Lows – Aches and pains – which I quickly learned I could manage with mobility work, and the nerves – oh, the nerves. Two weeks before the race I had my worst run of the entire training program – my legs felt clunky, I couldn’t find a rhythm, and everything was heavy. When I signed up I kept downplaying the distance – “It’s ONLY a half marathon,” but those two weeks before the race, 13 miles felt like a big deal.
On April 29, I woke up at 4:00a.m., downed a cup of coffee, put on my race gear and made almond butter banana toast to eat on the road. My sister came down the night before to drive Laurel and I to the starting line.
Sister. Chauffeur. Snack holder. Cheering section. Best friend.
Don’t worry, Chase and Chief came later. We met up with my Dad and Step-Mom and made our way to the corrals. I was “couldn’t eat my breakfast, made two trips to the bathroom, knots in my stomach” kinda nervous, but as soon as the gun went off those nerves began to melt away.
Just like every long run, those first two mile were HARD – my legs were stiff, I kept feeling phantom pains, and I was having a hard time maneuvering through the crowds. Mile 3 got a little easier, and by mile 4 I found my stride. Laurel and I stayed together for the first 6-6.5 miles, then we went our separate ways and finished the race on our own.
Chase and Chief were waiting for me around mile 8 and it was just the boost I needed. I stopped long enough to give them a hug and a kiss then I ran for home. At mile 10 I knew I still had a lot left in the tank – I picked up my pace and finished the last 3 miles about a minute faster per mile than my previous ten.
I crossed the finish line feeling AWESOME! I had the time of life and my family was there cheering me on. My body felt good and I didn’t feel like I was going to collapse at the finish line – it was exactly how I wanted to feel when I reached the end. Looking back, I think I could’ve ran it faster. I felt way too good at the end. But for my first half marathon, I’m really pleased with how I ran it. I’d run it again in a heartbeat.
My boys.
My training partners. Chief took mid-week duties, Laurel came in clutch on the weekends.
Toward the end of training I was really looking forward for the race to be over, for the pressure of running certain distances every week to go away. But when I crossed that finish line I was on such a runner’s high that I immediately signed up for my next one. I’m running my second half marathon in two days in Rocky Mountain National Park! I’m looking forward to the scenery, slightly nervous about the thin air, but no matter how hard it is I have a feeling the views will be breathtaking, literally.
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