The Half Marathon WON

Didn’t know that I’d live to see the moment I’d be typing out this blahg post. But here I am, unable to move from the dent I’ve made in this couch due to soreness in my butt (OUCH), thighs, calves, feet, shoulders, and abs (invisi-abs, I call them) able to say:

I RAN A HALF MARATHON!

It wasn’t an easy journey. Let’s begin with that. But— SO worth it. If the training I’ve been doing since October didn’t stink enough, you wouldn’t believe the series of unfortunate events within the 24 hours leading up to the race.

We survived: injuries, tornados, a hail storm, Meredith’s car breaking down, Steven getting locked out of his car and other unmentionables.

Despite it all, we persevered! Hoorah!

Dad giving me a motivational fist bump

The race began at 7 a.m. yesterday (Sunday). Opening my eyes at 5:30 a.m. was all but pleasant, especially after having nightmares about half marathon disasters and lying in bed dreading the sound of the blow horn, people cheering for/watching me, wearing tight pants, being cold, being sore, thirsty, hungry, tired, etc. ALL NIGHT LONG-- Lit’rally. ;)

The weather was BEAUTIFUL. I hate breathing in cold Oxygen.

I crossed the start line at about 7:20 a.m. as I was in the 12^th corral to cross the start line. There were 25 corrals and about 25,000 people running the race. I stationed myself next to the oldest and fattest lady I could find and a loon who was running all 13.1 miles BAREFOOT… both of whom eventually ended up passing me. My morale = ^.

Weirdo with no shoes.

(Note to self: Huge crowds of skinny people with awesome muscles, lots of gear, doing odd stretches at the crack of dawn is mildly… errr, extremely… intimidating.)

I finished the first mile in 8 minutes and 40 seconds! I was so proud of myself. And it flew by. It was great. It was downhill from there (not lit’rally, unfortunately.) I ran the next two miles as well before taking a walking break and drankin’ some H2O. My average pace decreased very gradually with every mile, except for the miles in which I passed the fam cheering for me. They’re so dang cool.

At the 5K (3 mile) mark, I was still on top of the world. (I never thought I’d say that, either.)

By mile 6, I squirted a GU in my mouth (chocolate flavor—so delicious) for a quick pick-me-up. The energy boost may be all in my head, but I’ll take whatever works.

At mile 8, there was a sweet guy offering all the runners doughnuts and beer. Very thoughtful of him; and very tempting for me. I graciously refused.

Thought I was dying by mile 12. No kidding.

I passed mom and Madeline around then, and Madeline told me two things:
1. You’re going slow. 2. You don’t look tired. (I liked #2.)

The last half-mile was the worst. I couldn’t see the finish line, but I could see what I THOUGHT was the finish line. Hi false hope. My run was pretty much a walk with mild pep by this point.

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!
Told y'all my arms flail around
uncontrollably. I never said I had a good form.

Crossing the finish line, I felt/looked like a zombie. But I was the HAPPIEST ZOMBIE IN THE WORLD.

Had I not been planning on celebrating post-marathon, I’m not sure that I’d have been able to finish. Each runner got two free beers at the finish line (#TNOLAM = Total NOLA Move) and after a 3 hour nap, we ate dinner and had a lovely, classy evening out.

I feel like I’ve left so much out—which I have. But I don’t want to be boring. And I am sleepy. Zzzz. It was such a great weekend. These pictures may make you jealous, but I will share them anyway. After all, I’m not forcing you to read this!

(But I am super thankful that you are.) 

Gettin' it before the race. Got my pump up jamz on.

Partyin', partyin', YEAH!