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| Bib pick-up day! |
After months and months of training, I ran my first half marathon yesterday! It was the most magical experience of my 24 years of existence. I finished 13.1 in two hours and 22 minutes, beating my goal with eight minutes to spare. I felt more self-fulfillment in completing the half marathon than I did when I graduated college, and I can't really explain that dichotomy. I'll use this post to discuss my success in the marathon and the entire experience as a whole.
The training period was long. At times, it was extremely challenging. I started training for this race back in February. I dove into the training period with the firm understanding that this half marathon wasn't going to run itself. I knew that this was not a 5K, and that I couldn't just wake up in the morning and decide to run it. I joined a gym that is open 24 hours a day, and until the warmer weather started, I worked out like a crazy woman four of five days a week, and early in the morning (since that's when the rain would be). When the spring weather came, I ran the lake at North Park a couple of times a week. Later on in my training, on long distance days, I ran the lake twice. After months and months of distance running, my training schedule suggested two short runs the week leading up to the race. To me, this was the most difficult part of training because I wanted to keep running long distances, but I knew that I couldn't.
In the days leading up to the marathon, I had to eat every carbohydrate that I saw, essentially. I ate pasta dinners for three days leading up to the race in order to gain some extra energy for 13 miles of bliss. In smaller races that I have run in the past, I was never able to eat breakfast in the morning because all of the bouncing up and down gave me a sick tummy. The same applied to this race. I drank some water in the morning and headed downtown. From what I understand, this isn't normal... but, I wasn't trying to vomit on myself at any point in the race.
In races that I have previously run, I struggled when trying to run and drink the water. However, this time around, part of my training included training myself to drink the water while in motion. This was highly successful. If I hadn't taken the water at the fluid stations along the marathon course, I would have died. The weather was quite warm. Additionally, for about four miles, runners ran directly towards the sun. At some fluid stations, I took two cups of water.
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| Right before the race started! |
I have never eaten food during a race before, but I did yesterday. At mile seven, I accepted an orange slice from a 10-year-old child. At mile nine, I ate two gummy worms from a volunteer. This decision came after I witnessed a runner throwing up all over herself on a stretcher while being wheeled into an ambulance. I made the executive decision that the last thing I needed was low blood sugar. Bring on the gummy worms.
During the race, I was overwhelmed by the number of people standing along the roadways cheering for all of the runners. At mile three I saw a man holding a sign that said, "Congrats, you've been running longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage." At mile four, a wife standing on the side of the course handed her racing husband one of their children. He continued running, while carrying his child, the entire way across the 16th street bridge. At mile 8, I high-fived the hands of 20+ military men and women. At mile 10, a woman spectator told me that I had nice legs. At mile 12, every person I passed assured me, "you're almost there, just one more mile." At every point in the race, there were spectators along the course. It was unbelievable. For everyone who complains about Pittsburgh, I encourage you to run or be a spectator at the marathon. I have never participated in an event with a greater sense of community.
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| Geoff and I found each other after the race! |
So, how do I feel today? Not so hot. My stride resembles that of an elderly woman. Steps are an incredible challenge. I started my day off with a massage, pedicure, and then a nap. My sore muscles and callused feet will heal. The pride and sense of accomplishment that come with running 13 MILES, are here to stay. Also, I have a medal, which is here to stay too! :)
To finish off this blog, I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to every person who supported me throughout training, the marathon, and after the fact. To every volunteer along the race course that handed me water, to all of the bands especially the girl singing "Rolling in the Deep" at mile four AND Jake Schreiber, all of my friends that were just as excited as I was to be running the race, to Justin Sanislo who came to the race and made me a poster, to Sara K who sent me a celebratory popcorn cornucopia in a smiley face tin, to my parents who were SO SUPPORTIVE, to my brother who drove home from school to see me run, and all of my family and friends who called, texted, emailed, tweeted, and any other form of communication that I am forgetting- THANK YOU. The support from each one of you has been absolutely amazing, and I appreciate it more than I will ever be able to put into words. This experience, without a doubt, has been the best experience of my life.
Here's to everyone achieving their goals with the support of amazing people <3<3<3
Xoxo
