Running has not always been something I did. I am not a natural runner either but I do love it. It's the easiest way for me to get any exercise--it's fast, I know what to do and it's low maintenance. I can't say I love running in NC as much as I loved doing it in England because there are no sidewalks leading out of my neighborhood to the other parts of Apex, and I hate going on the road with cars and no sidewalk. I also don't like having to drive and park and then run, but I do so during hot days (to go to a shaded park) or for longer runs (to the American Tobacco Trail).
So this summer my friend suggested we do a half-marathon near Mt. Airy, NC, two hours away. It was supposed to be the flattest, best for PR kind of race in NC. It was also cheap. I signed up, but the friend who recommended it--didn't-hahaha. So then I found another friend, my neighbor, Danae who runs a lot, to join me.
I had all the determination to start training for it as soon as school started and the days started to cool off (which doesn't happen here till the end of September). Thank goodness, the first few weeks of the training programs for a half, you still have only 3-5 mile runs and nothing crazy. I was doing pretty well with the training, but then started slacking off, finally running only three times a week, sometimes even two which is unacceptable for a good training! I got to my long runs (over 6 miles) and I actually managed to do all of them! I mean, I wasn't fast, but I didn't do badly on my 11 mile run on the American Tobacco Trail. By the time I was scheduled to do those long runs, it was much cooler outside, so it felt great--it was early November.
The race was scheduled for November 18th. Danae and I drove up there the night before, had yummy Italian dinner at a local place and set everything ready for the following morning. The weather had turned very cold just the day or two before so I was debating between wearing more layers or not. Finally, I decided to have a t-shirt and a long sleeved shirt and then just shed. We were freezing at the Start line! We went inside a local shop to warm up till it was time to run.
This is us at the Start line! Ready to go!
The race had pacers and miraculously at first I ended up running with 1:55 people. Mostly because it was a complete downhill for like half a mile. I didn't think about preserving my strength more and although I passed dozens and dozens of people during my first mile as I was going 8:47 pace, which is spectacular for me. Second and third miles were 9:15 and 9:32 which, again, are very good paces for me. Basically, I ran a very good 5K, my fastest, because the road was flat or a little downhill.
I was doing okay until I reached mile 6, so I could tell that because I did a great job on the first half of the half, I was going to be miserable for the second half. I made a huge mistake, the one that all those running advice articles tell you not to do--not to go too fast early in the race. The turn around point was at 7 miles. I started walking more and more between running. And then there was no water from, we think, mile 6 till mile 9. Danae told me later she was dying as well. I was happy I had my "baby food" snack, but all I wanted was water.
Finally, miles 9, 10, 11 and 12 I went soooo slow. Different pacing groups passed me. The group with a 2:00 goal, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15. When the 2:15 one passed me at mile 12, I felt beaten. That was my time last time in Wales--2 hrs 16 min. I was hoping to get it done under 2:15. That miles 12 was the slowest one when I was walking a lot contemplating why in the world I signed up for this race, but also knowing that I could definitely finish it, not walking but running. I picked up my pace a bit at the end, but that was still not enough to make up the difference. On the last mile, my feet starting to hurt (my feet never hurt) and I could just feel the soles of my foot screaming at me. I had to do just one more push and then I could see the finish line.
Final time 2 hrs 22 minutes. Grrrr.... I know, I know, I should be happy I finished it, but I expected more from myself, so I was a bit disappointed, ESPECIALLY because the Welsh half marathon was a lot more hilly! Nevertheless, I felt accomplished! I told myself I wouldn't do this again. In fact for weeks I thought there is no way I would ever do that again, because what would be the point? I could stick to shorter races like 10K's! And now...weeks later...thinking about the race and about my goals I am already not that sure I will never sign up for another half marathon😀.
Yes, Danae beat me! She is a mother of five and is in a different age category than me!
Here are my stats:
And here is my medal.
I also got a long sleeve t-shirt as well, in the same wild green color to help me camouflage on NC trails or something.
I just have to remind myself now that it's not how fast I am moving but that I am at least moving in the right direction:)
The End.
Lyana.
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