I woke up at 3:00 am race day... Got ready... ate some oatmeal, and had everything ready to go... my bib, HRM, pre-race snacks (banana and granola bar), phone, ear phones... I was NOT forgetting anything today... I had to wake my wonderful husband up at 3:30 to get me to the high school so I could get on the bus by 4 am.. to be bussed up to the starting line.. I was really nervous... Because I was heading into this by myself... I hadn't met anyone before besides my trainer Ty, but he was pushing this amazing girl Elsha in the half so he wouldn't be on the bus he was riding up with her...! So I got on the bus on my own... but I did have a little guidance from another running group buddy named Robert... (still not having met anyone was a little nerve racking..) when this buddy of mine got there he got on the 1st but now almost full! and made sure I was on the bus.... and made sure I knew he was on there.. I also met 2 more running group buddies Joshua, and Susette that got on the bus shortly after I did... and later we had one more join us on the first bus Sonja.
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| These are just some of the Run Aways' |
Okay, so I had made it on the bus and my nerves had calmed a little.. it was a very quite bus ride for me... still dark out and very cool... we finally made it to our destination... the starting line.. and it was beautiful outside with all the stars still out... and the race jitters really started in on me... I still had about an hour and a half or so left till the race actually started.. Instantly Sonja started talking to me about my racing history.. and she reassured me that I would do just fine... and then the group welcomed me with open arms... we chatted for a while.. and went back and for to the port-a-potties... When I get anxious I feel like I constantly have to pee... One of the times I went to use the bathroom... I left my gatorade chews in there... and I knew they were lost! Dang it!! As it got closer to the race we started taking pictures.. and more and more race buddies showed up... I tell you this race group is AMAZING.. so happy to have been part of it.. so welcoming to me... Finally Ty my trainer/coach/long time friend showed up.. gave me a hug and just continued to pump me up.. telling me I had this.. I had trained long and hard and was going to be amazing... he is such an amazing person, I am so lucky to have him for a friend... He then reminded me that he was going to push Elsha and try and get her to place... and then he would come meet me at mile 11 and we would finish the race together... (I was so excited to think I get to finish with this awesome friend!!) My new friends Joshua, Susette and Sonja were all pacing the race Sonja being at 2:10 (2 hours and 10 min) Susette pacing 2:30 and Joshua pacing 2:40. I figured if I could stay in between Susette and Josh I would feel really good about my time... I knew that my last 12 mile run was finished at 2:48 or so... and that was with a lot of breaks... so I decided to go with the longest time I wanted to be at was 3 hours... So as we got about 5 min before the race we all started lining up according to our pace times... I was right with Susette and Josh said he would keep me up ahead with him... I was good with that... The race started... and we were off... So, on this course the first 8 miles is pretty much all down hill... I wanted to make sure I wasn't rushing myself too much and exerting all my energy... since running downhill makes you go fast.. I just really paid attention to how fast I was going... but took advantage as well... I started... and I was feeling really good... I passed Susette who was at 2:30 and just kept going.. I wasn't feeling like I was going too fast... but just going enough where I felt comfortable.. I then passed the guy that was pacing 2:20.. and I thought to myself... WHAT!??! I didn't prepare myself to finish as this pace but this is AWESOME... and best part was my heart rate was good and I wasn't breathing heavy at all... and then it hit me...! I HAD to use the bathroom... ugh!!! I didn't want to stop... I was only pass the 2 mile marker... but I wasn't for sure where the next bathrooms were.. and I didn't want to take any chances.... I was so bummed to have to run off the trail and wait in line to use the bathroom... I watched as the 2:20 guy passed me.. and then not to much longer the Susette passed with the 2:30 group... stopping really threw me off my game... I hurried as fast as I could... good thing was that I never saw Josh.... not once the entire race..!! So after I used the bathroom I headed out... I wanted to get backup to where I was... but I didn't want to run too fast... and use all my energy... so I just kept a nice steady pace... it took me a while to catch back up to Susette... but I did.. and passed her... and was ahead of her for a long time... I found some old friends along the way.. it was good to chat with them and run along the side of them.. Besides the bathroom break, I am pretty sure I made it a good 10 miles without really stopping... I remembered to hydrate at each station... but kept trucking along... I must say though those last 3 miles was killer!! I was getting a blister on one of my toes and the top of my foot was hurting pretty bad... I was getting really frustrated... but still tried to run through the pain... I got to mile 11 and there was no Ty... I kept thinking, he's going to come... he will be here.. (but I was ahead of my original planned pacing time..) I had to keep taking breaks cause I just couldn't keep up with the running.... I got to mile 12 and still no Ty... I just thought to myself.. I gotta keep going.. my family is going to be at the finish line... I saw Susette pass me by and I tried so hard to keep up but my body was just so tired.. and worse of all.. I had gotten a side ache... and it would not go away!!! I kept trying to push hard and keep going... and then I saw him!! Ty!!! He was running towards me!! He had his arms out and looked at his watch saying "What the Heck!" how are you here!!! He was so surprised to see me and how far I had gotten!! It was awesome!! He stopped with me and walked a little bit.. and then when we got to the school.. I had 1 lap around the track left.. and he said "we are going to push through and run the entire way... you can do this!!" And we did... I told him how important it was for me to have my family see me actually running and finishing strong... I pushed through the pain and my family was right there close to the finish line!! He told me to push hard and cross that finish line strong.. and I did!! I pushed through the pain and gave it everything I got!! Sprinted through the finish line at 2:32!!!! I was so happy!! So proud of myself for doing something like this!! I NEVER though I could do anything like this 2 years ago... I know I have always wanted to run a marathon..but actually do something like this... just seemed like it was so far away... I got my medal!! and it's an awesome medal!! Got some pictures with my friends.. .got some water and powerade.. it was done!! I was happy!!! I walked back to my family!! Where Ty was visiting with them... he gave me another hug and told me I was awesome! We took some pictures.. and I told him I wanted to race again!!! (crazy right??) All in all.. it was an amazing day!! I loved it... it was hard and challenging.... but now I know how strong I can be!!! I am looking for another race.. and really plan on doing a marathon just over a year from now... and guess who is going to be by my side... Ty!! He plans on training with me again... and said he would run it with me too! I met some amazing people while running this race.. and I am so lucky to have met them... and I have the most amazing and supportive family and friends! It has been an amazing ride!!!
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| Me, after I crossed the finish line... scary hair..but super happy!! |
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| I could not stop grinning! |
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These lovely ladies kept me going
at the end!! |
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| my first half!! With this amazing friend!! |
