I didn't tell anybody.Well.. that's a lie, I told plenty of people. I just kinda made sure not to tell people I thought might go, " Hey I'm signing up too. or Let's run together. " Is that mean? Well for those who may feel so understand my reasoning first. When the decision was made to do this race, not the talk about it moments but the moment I entered my debit card information and programed my Nike Plus running app, I had a need to prove something to myself.... does that sound selfish?!?
The last time I ran a half marathon was February 2016. My training partner, best friend, sister, (insert dancing girl emoji) and I trained together every step of the way. I do mean every step, training, food schedule and types, stretching, water intake, sleep, pooing (Yes pooing!). We talked about everything and prepared well together. We pushed each other and helped each other and I tell everyone that asks me about that race... I wouldn't have completed it without her by my side. People always act so surprised when I say that. I know that those people don't truly understanding distance running. You see, distance running isn't just about being physically strong. The runner must have the inner mental strength to ignore the aches, pains and little voice asking, " What the HELL are we doing out here? Are you frigging mad woman?!?" LOL! Not only did my (insert dancing girl emoji) take on her own voices and aches but she took on mine. She held me together so we could finish strong. I almost didn't sign up for this upcoming race, I almost used her not being able to train with me like before as a reason not to do it. She wouldn't like that.
Wait wait wait hear me out a little more.
The last time I ran a half marathon was February 2016. My training partner, best friend, sister, (insert dancing girl emoji) and I trained together every step of the way. I do mean every step, training, food schedule and types, stretching, water intake, sleep, pooing (Yes pooing!). We talked about everything and prepared well together. We pushed each other and helped each other and I tell everyone that asks me about that race... I wouldn't have completed it without her by my side. People always act so surprised when I say that. I know that those people don't truly understanding distance running. You see, distance running isn't just about being physically strong. The runner must have the inner mental strength to ignore the aches, pains and little voice asking, " What the HELL are we doing out here? Are you frigging mad woman?!?" LOL! Not only did my (insert dancing girl emoji) take on her own voices and aches but she took on mine. She held me together so we could finish strong. I almost didn't sign up for this upcoming race, I almost used her not being able to train with me like before as a reason not to do it. She wouldn't like that.
Feb 28, 2016 Sentara Colonial Half Marathon
Williamsburg, VA
Overall Pace 11:13 Elevation Ascent :591ft
Mile 1: 10:32
Mile 2: 11:04
Mile 3: 10:36
Mile 4: 11:04
Mile 5: 10:28
Mile 6: 10:58
Mile 7: 11:02
Mile 8: 11:03
Mile 9: 11:25
Mile 10: 12:04
Mile 11:12:20
Mile 12: 11:56
Mile 13: 11:43
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This half marathon taught me alot! First make sure you know what you are in for from the start. I thought it would be a traditional road race... I was wrong. I thought there would be water at about every 2.5 mile mark or so (I thought I read it, I now know I must have been a dream lol)... oh wrong again!! Don't ask me why I thought it would be a traditional race when it started at 1:10pm on a Sunday but all and all I thought road here we come... Well we started on a road and sharply turned to another and then another and the next thing I know I'm crossing a beautiful bride heading into the wood.The terrain had changed from road to bridge to trail and although it was beautiful I was not quite ready for all that. We pushed through and found our grove and slowed when we FINALLY came to water. I lost my ish at about mile 10, when my loving husband called to see what we wanted to eat and how much longer it would take. I wasn't as mad at him as I was at myself for holding my (Insert dancing emoji girls) back while I fixed my music and Nike app which stop talking to me. Without Nike telling me my miles I started to get lost in my head. (Insert dancing emoji girls) kept trying to pull me out of my funk and I thank her for that, even when I told her to leave me she refused. We finished as strong as we could and there it was. My first metal run, my first half marathon!! And despite the fact I think there should be more water stops.. I would run this race again.
It was amazing what I had done yet it left me wondering if I could have done it with out her. Today is not like February. She is not here to share every moment with me because she has moved away. We could still run this race together but I have a need to know if I can do it alone. My very first race was the Carytown 10k. I love that race, its a comfortable race in Carytown, Va that I now can say I do annually (twice counts right Lol!!) I did my first race alone. My husband and kids came to support me but I ran those streets and did the training solo! This year my (insert dancing emoji) ran with me and it was a great run yet a different run. Same path yet a different feel. I guess you can say I want that old thing back. Beyond wanting to feel that victory alone I want to see if I can complete it.. solo... Complete the journey of training then the true obstacle... 13.1!!! Richmond Half Marathon .. Here I come!!!
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| Running my first ever timed long distance run. Carytown 10k 2015 |
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| My family and I after the Carytown 10k this year 2016!!! Love this race! |
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| The reason I do what I do. My family and I at the Color Me Rad 5K!! What a blast! |
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