The first time is the best

9.14.09
Grab a drink and pull up a chair, this will be a long one!!
MY FIRST HALF MARATHON!!!!
Let's begin with Saturday. My excitement kept building all week. I was like a little kid at Christmas. I couldn't wait to get on the road and get to Erie. Saturday morning, we took Tikka (my dog) swimming and then ran some errands. Got home and Steve and I laid down for a nap. I got up after an hour and packed for our trip. I had a bad sore throat. I was getting worried what it was going to turn into. Packed half the pharmacy that I have here at the house. Finally, 4pm, we are ready to hit the road. Weather was perfect. We arrived at Presque Isle at 6pm. We found the pre-race party and registration area. You could feel the excitement in the air. Everyone was friendly and talking to you like they had known you for years. I picked up my packet, met up with my co-worker and hung out for a half hour. As we left, I asked Steve to drive the course. As we drove along the Isle, the water and beaches were so peaceful. Steve offered to pull over and for us to walk the beach at sunset and let me take some pics. That was too inviting. I took him up on that offer. We got Tikka out and she was happy to swim in the lake (2 swims in one day is a real treat for her). We walked and I took pics. Very peaceful/romantic and perfect element to add to my exciting weekend. We walked up on a couple who were enjoying the sunset, taking pics of each other and being intimate on the beach. Very happy and very much in love. It was a photo opportunity that one would die for but I didn't want to interrupt their moment. Steve urged me to go and ask them if I could take some shots. I did and boy am I glad that I did. Shots came out great and come to find out, it was their first sunset together; I captured the moment for them. As a side note, you would think after 17 yrs that Steve and I wouldn't have many "first times" left but it was also our first sunset on the beach together.

We left the beach, found the hotel and then went to dinner. Ate dinner at 8:30pm. Very late for us to be eating. By the end of dinner, I was getting really tired and my throat was really hurting. Got to the hotel, got settled, highly medicated myself, and was in bed by 10:30pm. My worst fear came true, I couldn't sleep. I tossed until 12:30am. Then I woke up each hour until finally getting up at 5am. My adrenaline kicked in and the day got started. Got dressed, took Ibuprofen for the sore throat, had my protein shake and we were out the door by 5:30am. As we pulled into the park, my excitement was building. I was getting nervous, my stomach was starting to ache yet I wanted to get running. By 6am we were parked. As we walked in the dark to the starting line, the energy in the air was electric and the DJ was getting everyone pumped with loud rockin music. Everyone is laughing and exchanging strategies and past race stories. Headphones were being donned and the smell of bengay penetrated the cold morning air. Found Bill (my co-worker) and got in line for the port a potty. Stretched and made sure the mp3 player was working. Made our way to the starting line with 5 minutes to go. I couldn't contain myself. I was so excited to get running. The energy was undescribable. I kept repeating in my head "keep your own pace, settle in and take your time".

7am, gun goes off and we all take off only to abruptly stop. Everyone laughs, readjusts and starts running again. Bill and I run together for the first mile. The crowd thins and I settle into my pace. I couldn't believe I was actually running a half marathon. The weather was perfect, 63 and sunny with a light wind. To my surprise, I settle in to a nice pace. I felt great! The first 6 miles went by quick. I was surprised and happy to see Steve and Tikka at the 5 mile mark. Strangers cheering me on along the way was also great. Motivational sayings written on the road and runners with signs on their back were perfect distractions. I see my time at 6 miles and my jaw dropped. 1:06 at 6 miles, that would have been my time at 5 miles in my training. I got excited and concerned at the same time. The last thing that I wanted to have happen is to lose my energy at the end of the race. I slowed my pace some for the next 4 miles. I started to feel the fatigue at 10 miles. Between 11 and 12, all I wanted to do was walk. My breathing was great, but my legs felt like they weighed 100lb each. They were heavy and fatigued. I kept telling myself "you will be a failure if you walk". That kept me going. I focused on my feet and kept thinking "just keep lifting them". I passed 12 miles and sped up my pace a tad. The 13 mile marker came into view. I smiled. The end was in sight. Somehow I found the energy within me to sprint to the finish line. Bill and Steve meet me after I crossed and my chip was removed. I was so thrilled at my results. I DID IT!! I FINISHED WITHOUT WALKING!!!! My time was 2:24 with a 11:01 mile pace finishing 442 out of 557 half marathoners. I was thrilled. I had not made a time goal but figured it would be after 2:30. I certainly had slowed after my 6 mile marker but that was ok since I was able to finish without walking. I was so glad that I was done and not having to run 13 more. I am not mentally not to mention physcially ready for a marathon at this point.

My legs were so heavy and all I wanted was a Diet Pepsi. The last 3 miles I craved a diet Pepsi. I drank a water and then got my pop. Felt a little light headed but nothing can touch the elated feeling of accomplishing my goal. It is still hard for me to believe!!

Needless to say, I was tired and slept when I got home only to wake up sick with a fever, sore throat and sinus contgestion. I am just thankful that it held off until after my race.

This morning my thighs are really tight and sore. Everything else feels great.

Training continues now for the next half marathon at the end of October. Mom couldn't make it to this one, so she is training for one in Arizona in March. The goal is that her and I will run Mesa AZ half marathon in March together!! I can't wait.

I have to thank a friend of mine for placing this challenge in front of me. I don't think he realized he challenged me when he suggested for me to run a half marathon. I don't think he reads my blogs but in case you do Chris, thanks for the challenge. I have not felt this great physically and mentally in a very long time.
I apologize for the length of this. As you can probably tell, I am still very excited and proud of my accomplishment.