If you read the title of this blog post carefully, it says “My First Half Marathon!!” You would be correct to read between the lines and guess that I want to do more. Surprised me, but I had been warned by many runners…so they can't say they didn't tell me. 🙂
Anyway, I am super happy to tell you about the half marathon I finished on Saturday. If you have been reading my blog, you know that I started training for this half back in the summer. It feels like forever ago to me.
I knew that my IT band might cause problems and that I needed to start early because I wouldn't be able to add as much mileage each week as most training plans call for. My IT band was a problem and more so than I thought it would be. I persevered and one week before the half marathon the physical therapist and I decided to try some KT Tape. It worked and I used it again for the half marathon…it worked again! Yay! Without that, I wouldn't have meet part of my goal, to actually finish the race.
One of my other goals for this race, was to finish in under 2 hours. I'll keep you in suspense as to if I managed that one.
It was 37 degrees in the early morning before the race. Umm..cold when wearing t-shirt and shorts with a light jacket on top. Even colder when you have to give up the jacket about 20 minutes before the race starts.
As you can see, there were lots of people at and participating in this race. There were 19,866 total between the four races (Kids, 8k, Half and Full Marathons). My Dad came in town for the race. He and I went to the race start together. My husband and kids came later…keeps everyone happier that way.
My Dad thinks that I need a picture while waiting in line. Can you tell what I think?
I was a bit nervous before the race. I was nervous because I had never done this before. I also had no idea if I was going to actually be able to complete the race. The last time I had run 12.11 miles, my IT band had hurt so badly I didn't think I would have been able to finish another mile.
The first few miles of the course, I was using my new Garmin watch to reign things back. I knew I didn't want to go out too fast, I wanted to save energy for the end of the race. I kept looking at my pace, knowing I wanted to be around a 9 minute mile. I was OK with being a bit faster than that, but it seemed most times I looked down, I was going 8:30 or 8:10. I knew if I went at those paces, I would lose steam at the end of the race. I kept being conscious of trying to reign it back a bit.
watch to reign things back. I knew I didn't want to go out too fast, I wanted to save energy for the end of the race. I kept looking at my pace, knowing I wanted to be around a 9 minute mile. I was OK with being a bit faster than that, but it seemed most times I looked down, I was going 8:30 or 8:10. I knew if I went at those paces, I would lose steam at the end of the race. I kept being conscious of trying to reign it back a bit. With all the people, bands and runners on the course, it goes so much faster than a training run all alone. I knew when I hit the 10k mark, that I was doing fantastic and under the time I needed to be to finish in under two hours. I still felt great and my IT band was feeling good as well.
I took my own hydration belt
. I'm not crazy about wearing the belt, but as I had trained with certain fluids and I know what works well for me…I took my own rather than relying on what they had on the course. I also like being able to drink anytime I want and from a water bottle. I can never drink from the paper cups without getting it all over me or not getting much at all.
I had planned to use an energy gel at about 7.5 miles. That is the only ‘problem' I had in the race. The energy gel was in a little zipper pouch on my belt which also held my phone. I had trouble getting it out and had problems with my phone and my music. Anyway, I ended up walking a bit more than I wanted to in order to figure it out and finally get my phone back in the pouch.
I did feel my IT band a bit from mile 9 on and by mile 12, I knew it was there, but nothing like it had hurt in the past. I did let up for a short walk at each mile from either mile 9 on or mile 10 on (I don't remember which) because I know from experience that just a short little walk helps my IT band and helps me make it further. It wasn't hurting really badly, but I didn't want to let it get to that point either.
I was pretty sure at mile 10 I was going to make my 2 hour time, but at mile 11, I knew that as long as I could run a 10 minute mile, I would make it! I was so happy and excited.
Enjoying the final sprint (yes, really a sprint!!) downhill. It is a BIG downhill to the finish…so it was fun to feel like I hadn't just run 13.1 miles and I still had a sprint in me!
I found my family…waving as I sprint by to the finish. My girls later told me they didn't like how fast I went by because they didn't get to see me for very long.
Crossing the finish line! Yep, the clock says I finished in 2:02:08. This race, because of the numbers of runners, uses waves at the starting line. That way only 750 runners or whatever the number is, go out at a time. My wave was 4 minutes after the first wave.
My official race time was 1:57:57. I did it! I finished the race in under 2 hours!
After the finish, the runners go through a corral to one end of the island the post race ‘party' was on. My family had to go a different way to find me. Once we all found it each other, it was time to celebrate! They were all so happy and proud of me.
Two things really stand out for me.
My oldest daughter, Snowflake, gave me this super sweet card she made. She told me she was so proud of me, pronounced me officially half crazy and told me I was amazing! What sweet things for her to write and say. I was amazed.
Shortly after that, my Dad found us. He had tears in his eyes and told me how proud of me he was. He was so proud that I had made my goal…he knew what a big deal it was to me. He also then proudly gave me a pink 13.1 sticker for the back of my car. I had really wanted one! Thanks Dad, your being there for my race, meant so much to me!
It looks like Pumpkin really likes my medal. She felt really badly that she hadn't thought to make me a card. I told her I just wanted her there, but she still felt badly. 🙁 I have such sweet girls.
My family and my Dad
Shortly after that, my cousin and my Aunt arrived. They drove an hour from where they live to come. I sure have a great supportive family! Above, you can see my cousin. It is all her fault I started running in the first place and all her idea to even to do a half marathon. We were going to do one together, but it didn't work out that way…I still blame her! 😉 Thanks ‘L,' your support and friendship have meant a lot to me! I'm so glad you both were there it meant a lot to me.
My cousin and her family also treated me to a pedicure! Ohh La La! A hot stone pedicure, which I enjoyed the following day. It was lovely! Thank you!
Here are my official stats:
- 1:57:57 for the Half Marathon
- 8:59 average pace per mile
- Overall 2091st (out of 6855)
- 121st (out of 592) in my age division (40-44)
- 936th woman to finish (out of 4316)
Splits:
1 – 8:49
2- 8:43
3 – 8:32
4 – 8:43
5 – 8:47
6 – 8:45
7 – 8:50
8 – 9:38 (my problem mile)
9 – 9:08
10 – 9:18
11 – 9:13
12 – 9:20
13 – 8:53
Thanks so much for coming on the journey with me. I know lots of you followed my training posts and were so supportive in your comments. I know I made some new friends along the way as well. Thanks!
I will continue on my running journey and I am sure I will continue to post about running. I can't wait to see where it takes me and where it takes you as well. As to my next goal…I have my eye on a different half marathon for next year…one with a really amazing finisher medal. Yeah, I will run 13.1 for some neat bling at the end! 🙂 What is your next running or fitness goal?
Click over to my blog to continue reading this post.
© 2011-2013 The Real Thing with the Coake Family. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2011-2013 The Real Thing with the Coake Family. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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great job! my kids like my medal too – we told them we got it for getting 1st place, and they believed us! lol.
Thanks! I love that you told them you got first place AND I love that they believed it…too funny!
WONDERFUL job! Your legs look so STRONG in that pic of you near the finish. Congratulations!!
I agree! Great legs! Fabulous job!
Thank you! I think my legs looks overly large in that picture(even though I like the picture), but I should probably go with strong. 😉 Thanks so much!
Thanks, Kati!
Congratulations! Visiting you from Happy-Go-Lucky link up. This is such a good example of good health for your children. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! I think it is a good example for them as well. They both want to run a kid’s one mile fun run…so I need to get them out there and running so they will be ready.
Take care,
KC
Wow, I really envy you. This is a dream I am working on. Congrats!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I am visiting you from Savvy Southern Style!
Thank you so much! How is it going for you, getting to your dream? I hope it is going really well. Let me know, I would love to virtually cheer you on.
Congrats! I LOVE half marathons! I have two on the agenda for December and January.
http://www.shecookscraftsruns.net
Thanks so much! Wow, 2 in two months! You go! Hope they go great for you.
Congratulations! That is such a big accomplishment!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey as you prepared for your big day and good luck on your next one! 🙂
Jenn
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. What an accomplishment for you girl. I can imagine the high you have been on. WOW… so inspiring. 😉
~ Lisa ~
Aww, thank you! I’m super proud of myself! Of course, being real…I haven’t run since and it has been almost 2 weeks. Tomorrow, I will get back at it. It was kind of nice to take a break.
Wow! I’m so impressed. Congratulations on the half marathon. I’d love to try that someday, but lately, running hasn’t been on my agenda. Happy getting to know you today from the pity party.
Thank you! I loved getting to know other bloggers through her format at the pity party this week. Thanks for stopping by.
KC
I am soo sooo very proud of you! I knew you could do it. And now you’ve got the medal to prove it. 🙂 I went to the doctor yesterday and he encouraged me to get back out there and run, so as soon as I can find a jacket or something that’s warm enough but not cumbersome, I’m going to give it a go again. It’s time. And I’ll remember this wonderful post as a source of motivation! Yippee!!!!
Thank you so much Libby!
I have missed seeing your smiling face. I am sorry for all you are going through right now. I hope that the miracles keep coming for your family. In the meantime, if you find some a jacket and the time, know that I am cheering for you every step of the way as you get back out there and get running again!
Take Care,
KC
YAY!!! Congrats! That’s so awesome KC. My sister conned me into signing up for a 1/2 marathon a few years ago. I had never ran competitively before. I was a swimmer. But she knows I can’t back down from a challenge. I was SO glad I did it. And then never wanted to do it again. 🙂 But now I think I’m ready to take another shot at it. Someday I’d like to do a full just to say I did it. Your times were AWESOME!! So excited for you. Thanks for linking up to my special Pity Party last week. And for all of your sweet comments. xo
Thanks so much for stopping by Mique! I can’t even begin to imagine running a full. It seems like such a huge time commitment (one that I don’t think I have time for). I think it is funny that your sister conned you into running a half…you must be really competitive because a lot of people would not go for that kind of a challenge. I have my eye on two different halves for next year. Not sure if I will do one or both, but I think I will be doing one next year. I’ve totally slacked off since I’m not training…I think training helps keep me out there and more healthy.
Thank so much for hosting the link parties each week. I appreciate it.
Take care,
KC