6/7/10 It was a dismal morning and it poured rain throughout the entire race.  I woke up with the usual shits and nervous stomach pre-race. Took the anti-diarrhea medicine and headed out with Boo (she’s the reason why I was doing this in the 1st place-her 40th b-day) for the race.

I started off really slow, on purpose, knowing the 13 miles that lay ahead of me. I stashed a mini-peppermint patty (they say to carry something you really like)  and two mini luna bars all in my sports bra. ha ha. I was glad I had those snacks, because I really needed an energy boost three quarters of the way through. I felt really good until about mile 10. One would think you would tell yourself, “only three miles to go” but it really doesn’t matter. Those last three miles are HARD! Also, I didn’t listen to any music and don’t usually. Plus, it was against the rules-guess I am a rule follower.

Several days after the race I thought back and tried to remember what I thinking about during  the 2.5 hours! The funny thing is I don’t really remember thinking about anything. I found myself concentrating on other runners around me watching and looking up ahead. Listening to conversations between running couples and trying to get away from those with laborious breathing as I found that it would start to negatively effect me. Toward the end I remember whispering out-loud, “fucking finish, fucking finish” Not because I didn’t think I could, but because it was the finish line and I drop a lot of f-bombs while running. lol

The upside is it didn’t seem like I was out there for 2.5 hours, you are in a zone and adrenaline is flowing steadily. I walked through every water stop, which was every other mile.  I admit I walked a tad in the last two miles.

Coming through the finish line is such a relief, you are elated knowing that you don’t have to take one more step. My family was still stuck in traffic. I walked around aimlessly and waited for Boo to finish. During my walk around I started to cry, which I didn’t expect. I had so much adrenaline and a sense of  relief that this was FINALLY over.  I had signed up in December–that’s a long time to anticipate a race–the training was up and down for a while which added to my anxiety.

So it’s done, and I am happy about it. Can’t say I am ready for another 1/2 any time soon. But may once a year?I don’t think I’ll be continuing this blog and may delete it. I was never good about keeping up with posts. Before I say good bye to my blog I’ll  share it with two gals I know who just took to running. Yeah, you Sarah and Angela! There’s some rants and raves in the beginning of my blog that might make you laugh. Also, some good books on training and running. Look through the archives. . .

You may even want to start a blog about your running. It’s a good motivator and keeps you on target, good for venting and also logging your races. Good luck runners, I am done for now.

THREE MONTHS TILL HALF MARATHON!!

COVERED BRIDGES – VT – June 6, 2010

Now I am scared. .  .

It was a small race. The beginning started out with just a small grade, and then a STEEP hill. This is when I heard voices in my head telling me to bag out of the race and walk back. Those voices would not go away, I felt my thighs begin to tighten and the thought of walking seemed to excite me.  I noticed a girl in front of me, about the same size as me and she was plugging along and I was right behind her. We were at the back of the pack, I began to just concentrate on staying right behind her. I started thinking about how the 18 wheelers do that on the highway. She was breaking the wind for me. Next thing I know the three mile marker showed up and I was almost half way to the end. I lost my leader at the water stop. I decided to actually stop and drink the water instead of spilling it all over myself.

I did catch up to my unknowing partner and reluctantly passed her. This was it, I could actually finish this thing. The end was a brutal uphill, but I finished. 1:03:36

I had never run that far before. . .

There was a friend that also ran the race, we never actually hung out before. After the race was over we  had a beer to celebrate. I am not kidding.

-peace out

Tomorrow I am supposed to do 5×400, but I have to figure out how. The track is closed, so maybe go back and forth on a straight away. If you have any suggestions let me know.

1. I COMPLETED MY FIRST 10k!

2. I GOT IN TO THE HALF MARATHON!

The biggest reason why I have had an issue recently is due to the arrival of my marathon orthodic insoles for my running sneakers. I will be posting my experience with having been cast for these insoles due to my pronation issues.  This is a setback at least until right after Thanksgiving. I have been running in them twice and have gotten a blister on my right foot. I won’t get in to it all now. I am struggling… I have to get back on a regular running routine. Hoping that’s where my log will come in handy.

I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can

Here’s my take: I have a hard time believing that these elite runners ran a six minute marathon pace out of their mother’s womb. Did they not train and start out as a plodder one time in their life? There are many reasons why one chooses to partake in a marathon (besides being crazy), so what that someone crossed the finish line in 5:30 or 6 hours. And so what if they had to walk some of it. In the end they accomplished something that has a meaning for their own personal reasons and believe me it most likely wasn’t for a fucking marathon t-shirt as the bitch J. Given speaks about at the end of the article.

It’s these ‘elite’ runners that should be supporting, encouraging, and inspiring other runners. Instead they complain and make people feel bad for doing something that many of us will not even attempt. There would be no marathons without the support from all levels of runners. So, get over yourselves and if you don’t like what you see then don’t  partake.

I hope there are tons of PLODDERS at the NYC Marathon! Good luck to you! What you are accomplishing is wonderful.

I am envious.