ING Half Marathon - 10/10/09

What a great day it was! The weeks leading up to the race I was so nervous. Wasn't sure what would happen. I knew I could do the 10K, but not completely sure about the half. So that's how I knew the half was perfect for me - total challenge. :)

My boss ran the full marathon and we have been supporting each other this whole 6 months prior. It has been so great to have someone to talk through the trials of trying to fit it all in on a day-to-day basis. I'm pretty sure everyone at the office is sick of us chatting about it!!

So the night before it was decided Jason and the kids would drive me there and wait while I ran. I didn't sleep much at all. Mostly for fear I would miss the alarm! But I got up, had breakfast, and we all headed out. Parked, found everything just fine. Once we neared the entrance, I was exhilarated. All the runners were everywhere, headed to the race. I was just so excited to finally be there after all this waiting!

Finally, it came time for the runners to gather. My family kissed me, hugged me, and wished me well. Moments after the Star Spangled Banner, we were already walking toward the start line - it was happening! The music was blaring, the announcer was telling us, "This is IT! All the months of training are behind you! The hard part is over! Have FUN!" I was absolutely tingling. It was such an awesome feeling. Everyone was smiling. How could they not?!?

I got through the first 5 miles just fine. I took water at every opportunity. I ate every hour. I was reading all the inspiring t-shirts, looking at all the many different kinds of people there. Parents, college kids, elders....it was wonderful. After the split, there was a port-a-potty, and I really needed to go, so I stopped for that. We ran by the Connecticut River, the foliage was so pretty. I was just taking it all in, the weather could not have been better - training through the summer was definitely cooler than it could have been, but there's nothing like a light breeze and 60 degrees to run in outside. (Don't forget most of my training has been in my basement on the treadmill!!)

I took a walking break for about a half mile, then picked up again. I noticed the harder parts were when there weren't people cheering, or music playing on the side of the road. It was so, so helpful to have that support!

After about mile 8, I started to lose steam. I began a run/walk cycle that I couldn't shake for the rest of the race. I tried, but there wasn't much left in the tank! :) It was totally fine, cause I expected that. That was what I put into my training, and that's what I got out of it. My goal was to finish without dying, and to aim for as close to 3 hours as possible. Once I reached 10 miles, it was going to be getting very close to that 3 hour mark when I finished. I knew if I busted my butt I could make it, but I didn't want to risk injury, and I had no oomph left in my body. So I just moved as quickly as I could. Soon, people were yelling "ONE MORE MILE!!" Then suddenly I was there. The finish line. That was something. People were everywhere, cheering, ringing bells, whistling, clapping. The announcer was calling out names as they crossed the line. I was tingling all over again. I made it!! I was going to finish!! I received my medal and various freebies and went to find my family. They were all there, so proud and happy to see me. I was alive - my heart didn't jump out of my chest. My chip time was 3:12. So I met both goals.

Final thoughts on the whole experience..I loved racing in a big city. They had a huge budget to have all the music and supporters, food, etc. That was way cool. Looking back, I shouldn't have started out training for the full marathon, because I think it threw me off my game a little when I had to switch gears. I just don't have the extra time to devote to training in that way right now. But training for the half was totally do-able. Wish I realized that sooner. But live and learn. Also, I shouldn't have stretched out the training as much as I did. But I'm glad I picked up running last year. It definitely gets easier. Also, I love that running is so easy to fit into my life on that lower scale. I would totally do the Hartford again. Oh, and you all were so right - there's no way I could have gotten lost! I can't believe I was so silly to worry about that!!