The Half Marathon That Almost Wasn't

I am officially a half marathoner! I was seriously worried this race wouldn't happen. After ATM, I was really looking forward to the Gettysburg Blue and the Grey Half Marathon. I'm a huge history nerd - so the thought of running a race in Gettysburg was really a draw. I never considered the weather- October wasn't bad at all and would be so pretty......so I thought (but more on that later). Also, congratulations to the AMAZING Jenny of Feetoffancy.wordpress.com on finishing her first marathon! 


I kept my eye on the weather all week and until Wednesday, everything looked perfect. Then mother nature decided to torture all runners on the east cost. THIS is what the parking lot of my hotel looked like the night before the race (and additional 3-4 inches fell after this). Also, the Universe decided to screw with me last week and give me a lovely case of bronchitis. Awesome. The week before my first half and I couldn't run at all without wheezing and sounding like a smoker. awesome.

I woke up at 6 and saw on the event's facebook page that the run had been delayed for an hour to give the road crews time to treat the roads. I'm not going to lie I was super thankful- I really needed the additional sleep. I woke up, took some dayquil and my antibiotics, got dressed, and proceeded to cough my head off. I came very very very close to crawling back in bed. But no- I made my boyfriend drive to Gettysburg in a snowstorm and I was going to run this thing.

I literally thought I was going to freeze to death waiting for the start.

While the course description said the course had gradual rolling hills, I beg to differ. My legs beg to differ, and the last 3 miles were just EVIL, but I was happy because I was actually running it, and not dying! (my expectations were very low for this race - obviously)

In the back of my head, I was hoping to finish in under 2:30. I missed that goal by 2 minutes and 49 seconds. (POUT!) However, I am very pleased with myself as I ran the race while not at 100% and I wasn't the last one across the finish line.

Now I have a pretty medal! WIN!

Army Ten Miler

Hi there- long time no post. My bad.

The Army 10 Miler was yesterday and while it wasn't my best pace (no PR = sad times) i'm choosing to draw some positives from the experience.

#1-Despite my horrible mood, ATM was so much fun! I loved the course and the spectators were fantastic!

When I got off the metro, I wasn't feeling this race at all. There were so many people and I was pretty bummed that the boyfriend had stayed at home. Everyone else had someone there and I just felt lonely. This was the first time i've woken up not excited to race. I think my brain was trying to tell me something was off, but I just ignored it and went about my business.

However, when we were directed to our corrals, that began to change. I can't even describe the energy of the runners. The race organizers did a fantastic job of managing 30,000 runners and the cannon or WHATEVER they shot off to start each wave was super cool. The race took you (more or less) by every cool monument in town and running alongside the river so early in the morning was so calming. I actually broke an 9 minute mile during this part of the course, which is great for me.

When I got to the 5 mile point of the race, I was doing fantastic - I was 10 minutes faster than my pace for the Navy 5 miler two weeks before. That was stellar!! I was a happy runner. About mid way through mile 5, my stomach started to let me know that it was not pleased. I ripped out some fuel and added some water and Gatorade and hoped that would calm it down till at least the finish. For the next mile, it seemed to work. Then mile 7 hit - OMG- I've never had stomach cramps like that before. EVER. I thought I was just going to throw up right in the middle of Constitution. I had no other choice but to walk. This was the next 3 miles of my race. I was so mad, so mad that I started crying near mile 8 and forced myself to suck it up by mile 9. I would run for about a quarter of a mile, but that would make it more upset.

At this point, I knew my goal of 1:50 was out of the question. It just wasn't going to happen, but I really wanted to finish strong. I sucked it up at mile 9.5 and ran the last half mile at a 10 minute pace. Yes, I wanted to die - but I also wanted to finish strong.  I crossed the line at 2:00 hrs 12 seconds which is about a 12 minute mile. BUMMER. Even for me that is really really slow. I was pissed for about 2 hrs.

Then I realized- there will always be another race, another 10 miler where I can redeem myself. This was the first time i've ever had any kind of stomach issue and a year ago I would have probably quit mid race. This time quitting wasn't an option. I was actually pissed because I couldn't run, not pissed because my stomach hurt. So i'll take my 10 miles and my 2 hr 12 minute finish, and improve on it. Now I know what to and what to NOT eat the day before a race.

I have 2 1/2 weeks until my first half marathon. Bring it!