Yesterday, I completed my second half marathon!
Like any good runner in the days leading up to a race, I was checking the weather religiously. Every time I looked, it changed. I saw everything from temperatures in the 50's, 60's and even 70's. There was a chance or rain, thunderstorms, high humidity, sunny skies. I finally just gave up till the day before then made a plan as to what I should wear.
After my last half marathon, where my body just quit on me thanks to a lack of hydration, sleep and good nutrition, I was very diligent in these areas in the week leading up to race day. I had a carb loading plan, I got lots of good sleep in the nights leading up to race day and I drank a ton of water. I had my game face on!!
(Brad, Erin and I, heading to the starting line!)
Erin and I had our race plan in place... run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat for 13.1 miles. In our training, I had hit 10 miles and Erin hit 11 miles, 3 weeks before the race. We were planning one more long run, then with only 2 1/2 weeks till race day, I severely jammed my toe. It was so severe that we went to urgent care to see if I could run. I received the great news that my toe was not fractured and that I could race, but that I needed to give it a week of rest. So we didn't get another really good long run in before we had to taper. I was also told that I would probably be dealing with pain when I did start running again.
I had a week and a half left till race day when I hit the roads again. I got in several good runs, including a 6 miles run. I was feeling pretty confident in my ability to manage any pain.
At the starting line, the humidity was 97% and the temperature was right at 70 degrees. It was super yucky! Even though my training hadn't gone quite as planned due to my toe injury, I was feeling very confident. My goal had been to run the half in 2:45. After my injury, I just wanted a sub 3 hour half. I knew Erin would encourage me to push through and keep me on track.
Our first mile was our fastest. The humidity and the warm temperatures started getting to me and our pace slowed, but stayed faster than we need. Just after mile 4, we had to make a pit stop. The next several miles were toughest for me. I had to get out of a negative "what was I thinking?!?!" head space. Erin and I tired to encourage on another, fuel, hydrate and focus. The course became a little hilly, and I became aware of how much my toe was bothering me. "Maybe it will go numb soon!" Erin encouraged me.
Right at mile 9, we ran past our friend Linanne's house. She was outside cheering us on. I was pretty much done with this race as this point and was contemplating stopping and having Linanne drive me to the finish line. I knew that if I could just stay out of a negative head space and run through the pain in my toe, I would be okay once I hit 10 miles. Hitting the double digits and knowing I only had a 5k left would be huge for me!
Right before we hit mile 10, we took another pit stop. At that point I was receiving texts from Hayley and Curtis, encouraging me that I was almost done and could finish strong! Erin reminded me that we were still on track to hit our goal, but that we didn't have a lot of wiggle room. I was so ready to finish strong! Eye of the tiger!! Other than the pain from my toe and feeling drained from the heat and humidity, I really felt good overall. I could tell that my training and race preperation had been effective. Just as planned, hitting mile 10 was huge, and my head space went much more positive.
By mile 11 I was in a lot of pain. Throughout the race we had delt with the high humidity and rain. Though I was in a much better head space than I had been in, I was still very ready to be done. Because of the pain my toe was causing me, I was doing a super awesome power walk and running when I could for the last two miles.
As we rounded the corner, the sky opened up and the rain started coming down steadily. "Less than a mile!!" Erin and I encouraged each other.
As we neared the finish line, I frantically looked for the official race clock. 2:55!!!!! Goal accomplished, despite crappy weather, a bum toe and two pit stops!
Couldn't have done it without my awesome friend!!! It was also very special to get to share her first half marathon finish with her.
Despite the fact that it was pouring rain, my family was there, cheering me on at the finish line. Right after I got my medal, the front that we'd been waiting for came through. The rain and wind picked up and we took off for our cars.
The day after the half, and I'm still very pleased with how the race went. I know that I have a faster half in me, and though I don't plan on doing any more halfs in the near future, I don't think the Armadillo Dash was my last half. But so far, it's been my favorite half!
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