Monday, February 20, 2012

Thirteen point freaking one

I saw this billboard on my way home from the beach and it just seemed
an appropriate way to open this post. LIVE YOUR DREAMS, KERMIE!









How did my first half marathon go? Well, I reached my goal: I finished!

How sweet is this medal?!



















First off, this race was nothing like that horrible hot chocolate race in December. Even from the very beginning (parking), things couldn't have gone smoother. Also, the porta-potties were plentiful and the lines moved quickly. We all know how important that is.

My first race expo and, really, the palm tree took center stage.


















One thing I have to note, that I'm sure no one else probably even remembers, is the dude singing the National Anthem messed up and had to restart. He pulled a Christina Aguilera (ha!) Even at 6:20am I was coherent enough to realize this.

I started out the race running in step with Alyssa, Lily, and Mike, but around mile 2 I slowed back because I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to keep up a 9-minute pace for 11 more miles. I was dizzy all the way until around mile 5. At mile 4 I really wanted to go collapse in the medical tent, but I kept trucking. Thankfully the dizziness eased up around the halfway point of the race.

People cheering for me by name was pretty spectacular.














My calves were extremely tight, and just never loosened up. I kept having to step over to a curb to stretch them. I don't remember much between about miles 5 and 11 except for being in pain and having to do run:walk intervals and hating life. I kept remembering what HGG told me the night before, though, and just made finishing my goal. This was my first half, and I kept thinking if I got a crap time, it could only improve next time.

Headphones weren't allowed in this race, although I really could have used some music in my life. I think it's an A.D.D. thing. I need something to occupy my brain. Apparently my own thoughts aren't interesting enough for two hours of pavement pounding. I'm convinced I could have gotten a much better time with some tunes. The majority of the people around me were wearing them anyway. That's what I get for being a goody-two-shoes and following the rules, I guess.

Once I hit mile 11 and the point at which the half-marathoners' and full marathoners' courses split, hunger really hit me and I realized I had forgotten to take my Gu, but knew it was too late now that I was hungry. But, dude, only two miles to go. I could do this! Those last two miles were nauseating. I don't know why, but sprinting the last quarter of a mile into the finishers' chute, it was all I could do to not throw up.

Running through the finish line was kind of a blur. I was most excited to finally sit down. Is that wrong? As I reached the finish, the third full-marathoner was finishing. That's insane! I swear the first few full marathon finishers are superheros in disguise. When I leaned over to have my race medal put around my neck, I almost fell into the medal-hander-outer. I met up with my aunt and uncle, who had been watching everyone finish, and we took some photos. It was nice to have some familiar faces after finishing!

Garmin time: 2:22
Official time: 2:28

That means I took a total of six entire minutes at water/Powerade stations and stopping to stretch my calves. I'm hoping my next half marathon will be a much more comfortable run, but I FINISHED!

Alyssa finished ANOTHER marathon, too. It was the shirts :)



















All the runners: Mike, Lily, Eric, Alyssa, and me...and the awesome sign Alyssa's
friend Nicole made.















Fun details and pictures to come!

22 comments:

  1. Don't you know you're not allowed to stop your garmin during a race? Lol. Kidding

    Awesome job!!!

    Next time, even if you think it's too late, eat the gu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't stop My Garmin. Auto pause kicked in. At least My Willy had mercy on me :)

      Delete
    2. Don't you know any time you pause your Garmin doesn't count? Your official time can be whatever you want.

      Delete
    3. LoL. Eric's logic wins again.

      Delete
  2. I seem to recall that Alyssa was a rebel and had her music. You need to be more like her. :)

    Your next race is going to feel so much better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, she had her music. I think I was just worried I'd get my iPod taken away. Apparently in my head, we're all still in kindergarten.

      Delete
    2. They can disqualify you, they can't take your iPod away. You own it :). Kara's advice is sound though. Work on being more like me.

      Delete
    3. Disqualifying me would have meant I was out just about as much money as my iPod costs. And I wouldn't have an awesome finishers medal!

      Delete
    4. I have not brought music when a race says no music too. Same fears as Emily. And even if they can't take it from you, it would be a pain to bring it back to my car. The rule is silly anyway because music is not going to give me that slight boost I need to beat the local Kenyans :)

      Delete
  3. You did fantastic!! The first time is all about finishing. I had no idea the guy singing the national anthem had to start over. I didn't wake up until like mile 6.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and Nicole were doing something with your bag by the tent where Nicole got tape for her awesome sign while Mike and I were stretching. That's when it happened. Apparently I was way too awake.

      Delete
  4. They will take away your Ipod and your parents will have to get it from the principal after school. Its a reasonable fear but that half you are going to do in April will go much better than this one and you will have music which will be quite exciting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Going to do". I like your means of persuasion. And the promise of music.

      Delete
  5. Congrats, Emily! It's sounds like you did great even though it was a hard race! And if it makes you feel better, I would have been afraid to use headphones too. I am awful at breaking rules. I always feel like I'm going to be in trouble even though there is no high school principal for half marathons.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations! AND you're already talking about a next :)
    But if you didn't REALLY love running, know that you could beat any of us in an arm wrestling competition with all the iron you've been pumping lately.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on your first half marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great job!! Love the shirts and the sign!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations!! You did a great job and for being dizzy - that is one helluva pace! HGG is a genius! Love the finisher's medal!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations Emily! That is a wonderful time!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congrats Emily! That's great. The medal rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great job! I love the medal. As a flip flop enthusiast, I have to say it is one of the best I've seen.

    ReplyDelete