I am officially a half marathoner!

Well, I did it! I am officially a half marathoner and I am pretty proud to be able to say that after starting running only three and a half months ago! I met my original goal of running a sub 1:45 half marathon with a 1:41 but wish I would have ran faster. But, as you all know, that’s the challenge of athletics and I can’t wait to run one again to have another shot at a faster time.  

A couple months ago I decided to run the Snohomish River Run outside of Everett, WA. It was a small race, well organized and flat and the timeline seemed to work for me. I didn’t want to run a huge race for fear that the sheer number of people and largeness of the event my crush my tiny little runner soul that’s still blooming. I was hopeful that the day would see sunny skies, or at least no rain. Training, as you might have read in my previous blog posts, went pretty well and was a really exciting experience for me. Leading up to the race, I would have bouts of nervousness or self-doubt but really didn’t get super excited or nervous the day of. This was actually a tad bit disappointing as I wanted to feel SOMETHING for the thing I had been working for. Swimming was this same way; race time was met with a sort of calm. I would think about a certain goal or time and feel butterflies or the swooshing and overwhelming feeling of doubt but otherwise felt rather ‘ordinary’ about the whole thing. Better than being a ball of nerves, I guess? I cut out alcohol and absurd amounts of sugar for two days before the race (I know what you are thinking – woah) and for the most part hydrated and attempted to lay low on the day before the race. Instead, I found myself scrubbing the bathroom and returning items at the mall out of pure boredom. A girl can only watch so many movies! The weather for race day was still calling for cloudy skies and a high of 52, which I was totally comfortable with. I prepped for my day and was early to bed for a 5 am wake up.

Wake up to a shrieking phone. Turn the damn thing off. Stumble to the shower and let the warm water wake me up. Make oatmeal, one scrambled egg, and some hot Nuun. Chug a water bottle. Pack up last minute essentials. Pile on three coats and a pair of winter pants. Leave house with tired boyfriend at 6 am. Drive for an hour. I curse that it is raining. Wonder how in the hell you will stay warm for an hour and half until the race starts. Reluctantly leave warm and dry car wondering what in the hell ever made you even think of signing up for something so miserable as you saunter over to the bus that will ferry you to the start.

Hiding from the rain, but not the cold.

Yep. Raining. And even though I was wearing THREE warm jackets, I felt so ill prepared. Just this morning the weather was still partly cloudy, I thought. What on earth did I do to deserve this? And poor Joel; I was misled in thinking it would be a warm morning doubled up with the fact that I thought there was a coffee shop nearby when in fact there was not. We wandered through the race area and found an umbrella to stand under to escape the rain. I total questioned my thought process in doing this; I was about to run 13 miles (something I haven’t ever done before), it was raining and cold (I hate being wet and cold), I didn’t feel like standing up let alone racing and everyone else was smart enough to stay at home or not sign up. Then, I get a text from Casey (our CFO at Nuun) that he had shown up and not so willingly admitted he was ready to run. He had wanted to run a half marathon, had hurt his foot the week before but signed up in hopes that Snohomish River Run would be his chance to get that goal crossed off his list. Now, I had a posse. It was Joel, Casey and me. I felt a little bit better that there was someone I would know out on course in the event that something went really wrong. I sat huddled under the tent clutching my hand warmers before going for a brief jog looking like a purple Michelin man in all of my jackets. I put on my race number, stretched a bit and kissed Joel goodbye. Now would be a great time to say how thankful I am for this guy; he planted the idea of being an athlete again into my head, supported the idea, has listened to me whine, congratulates me on pretty much every work out and picks me up if I am pissed off at how poorly I performed, if there is anything I say I need he is willing to help me get it, he woke up early on his one day of sleeping in for the week to drive me to a race and stand out in the cold rain for two hours to greet me at the finish line – in short, he’s an angel and without his support this would be a much different post.

So, Casey and I meandered our way up towards the front of the start line to around 8 minute pace. Luckily, I was starting warm. Having had Scleroderma and Reynauds for a couple years now I have learned a few tricks that seem to work for keeping symptoms at bay (for the most part); I wore a lot of layers, I warmed up in layers, I kept my head warm, I wore gloves and I kept foot warmers in my shoes directly on my feet for two hours until right before I started running. I felt good starting out! I ran with Casey for a little bit but wanted to start at an 8 to hold and then speed up a bit. After about ¾ a mile, I bid farewell and took off. I felt good. Focused on calm breathing and running tall and found a groove.  I also thought it was cool I could run in the middle of the road and even on the wrong side of the road – RULE BREAKER.

About mile 3, I came up on a heavy breather with headphones in (you know the kind – has no idea how much noise he’s making) and he sprints to keep up. This annoys me for two reasons: first off, let me just pass you and I promise I won’t tell anyone (if that’s what you are fearful of), and secondly you are throwing off my pace by attempting to sprint every ten seconds to keep up with me. So, I put in a good 20 seconds of effort and pulled away from my neon-heavy-breathing friend. Then, cows. We run by a pasture full of cows mooing their heads off. It was cute, I felt like they were cheering me on with their stink and noise. My tummy was a little unsettled so I was trying to calm it down and came up to a water station. I wasn’t planning on taking water until mile 5 or six with my gel, but I grabbed a cup in an attempt to ease my tummy. I squeezed the top of the cup together with minimal sloshing and held it up to my mouth to take a swig. Instead I poured most of it all over my face and self and choked on what did make it into my mouth. Well, that didn’t work too well, I thought to myself. Onward and upward. I found a guy to duck behind who was holding a good pace for me, and settled into a nice rhythm until just before the turn around. He slowed up a small incline, and I passed him to keep on with my pace. Sure enough, here comes my neon clad heavy breather friend. By this time, I was annoyed. He was pounding his feet and his breathing right behind me was unsettling. And then he made a surge past me where he stayed for about 10 seconds before falling back once again. He hung on to my back, let out a toot amidst all of his effort (he probably didn’t hear with his headphones), and then fell back off.

I readied my gel for consumption as I checked out my watch. I was happy with where I was. I wanted to maintain 7:30s until the last two miles (ideally) where I would then spend whatever I had left. I took my gel, washed it down with a better attempt at drinking some water and kept on running. I liked all the people cheering for others and did the same. It made me feel better and almost felt like I was cheering on myself. About a mile after the turn around point we were back in the open and a little exposed. It had been raining on and off but I had managed to stay pretty warm. Now there was a slight breeze, and the rain/mist was getting to me. I was starting to cool off and other than running faster I couldn’t manage to keep warm. I was shaking my arms and working on picking up my knees. I was really happy with my fitness though; my heart rate was still pretty low and my breathing was easy. I just couldn’t pick up my legs. I tried not to panic and kept working on running tall, breathing and picking up my knees. I start to feel my turnover slow as my stride seemed to shorten, and my pace started to fall off. I comforted myself in knowing I had so far done well, I would still be under my original goal and just told myself to maintain 8s. It started to rain more and I got colder; my shoes were drenched and my legs were cold to the touch with the rain and breeze. I was pretty disappointed with my body; I knew I could run faster but just couldn’t manage. My legs just wouldn’t go anymore.  I attempted 15 second intermittent efforts to try to find fire, but found it was resulting in more tightness in my legs. My calves were pulling on my shins and my right hamstring was tight. Finally, I started to recognize some of the landmarks out of the clouds and rain and knew I was close to the start line, which was going to be about ten miles. I hoped Joel would be standing there so I could see him and hear him cheer; I figured this would give me a little energy for the last 3 miles. I stopped looking at my watch and just paid attention to my legs and arms and breathing. Coming up, I saw a little kid all bundled up on the side of the road who saw me running. I didn’t have anyone around me, but he said ‘way to go runner! You are almost done!’ and I said ‘you want to finish for me?’ to which he just curled up and laughed. Damnit kid, I was serious. I saw my Joelybean standing up about 300 meters from me and saw when he noticed me. I heard him yell and cheer and saw his phone out taking video. Gosh, I hope I look semi decent so I can show it to other people, I thought. I have always thought I was a relatively ugly runner, and my ‘athlete’ face doesn’t help me much in that department.

Running towards Joel.

 

Running away from Joel, and passing a lady.

 

I ran away from Joel, but for good reasons, and rounded the corner. Secretly, I hoped I was almost done and my watch distance was off. Sure enough, I round a corner into a parking lot and see that the half course continues out on a paved path. I kept on and told myself to just try to pick up the legs a little bit. The path was rolling (barely) but the slight inclines killed me! It’s like I immediately stopped moving every time I had to run downhill or uphill. I tried to pay attention to the faces of the people running by me the other way who were on their way to the finish line; I was searching them for some kind of answer, some kind of secret as to how to make these last three miles clutch. I saw pained faces, I saw pumping arms and tense hands, shuffles and high knees. I started to think a little too much, but I was just trying to keep myself company. What I wouldn’t give for a glass of wine right now. Dang, I just started running and here I am, running a half marathon. How much longer would it take me to get down to a 1:33? Could I do this after a swim and a bike? If you’re curious, the answer was: Hell yes! When would I run another one? How can I plan the race out better? Is my nose running or is that rain? What workouts do all these fast kids do during the week? Do I look as unflattering as I imagine I do?

Eventually I reached the turnaround point where I jokingly begged the guy in his car making sure we all ran around the cone for a ride. He declined. And just when I was feeling bad about not being able to run faster and sprint to finish for the last 3 miles, neon clad heavy breather man with his heavy feet passes me. I tried to keep up, but let him go. I couldn’t keep on anyone and resolved to keep behind the other people who weren’t sprinting to get to the finish. I rounded a corner and could see the finish arch. Quick, look pretty. So I wiped my nose and ran on in past a cheering Joelybean. I finished with what I am sure is a terrible finish line face and attempted to walk on to the ladies handing out water and space blankets (well, that’s what they look like) and suddenly my legs wanted to give out. Ok, guys, I know you just ran 13.1 miles but let’s keep the party going. The announcer yelled out my name (cool!) and followed it with an ‘awesome!’ Yeah, announcer man, I am awesome. Eventually my legs moved on through the finish chute and Joel gave me a big hug and kiss and congratulated me on a solid run. I really wanted to sit down, so I did. Then I was like, wait, I can’t get up. Casey finished just behind me (we cheered for each other on the course every time we had a turnaround) and wandered around to find warmth and food before deciding to actually leave.

Flyin' by.

All done. Running makes me look skinnier, according to Joel.

DONE!

Modeling my blanket.

Comin' in hot.

Love this picture of my finish - note: time not accurate.

But not before I performed this little number: http://youtu.be/Rlf6nx-b5Zg

We waited a good 45 minutes for the bus shuttle to pick us up, and after a short 2.5 hour journey home I was finally able to take a hot shower and lay in my bed tucked under my warm covers!

 

Now that I am done and have been able to take a nap, I can reflect on my first running race. I ran a 1:41:43 with a sub 8 average pace , over three minutes faster than my original goal time! I am really happy with this, but even during the race saw areas I could definitely improve on. My overall strength as a runner can improve, which will only come with more miles. I definitely think my ability to pick up the pace towards the end could have been better (I thought I would be good at this) but who knows, that could have been due to some external factors as well. I could use to keep working on my fueling process and really hammer down what works. I think getting more miles under my belt will help my body adjust to the shock of the end of the race and will help my brain plan the whole thing out before beginning. I had a hard time stomaching thinking about the whole race because it seemed so big to my brain, like it was too much to handle. So I broke the race down into thirds, which seemed to work. I think my overall fitness level will continue to improve, and I want to continue to work on my endurance. I plan on putting my suit on a few times a week and hoping in the pool for some yardage as well as hoping back on the bike. I also plan on taking up some methods to help soothe my tight muscles and relax (trigger point and yoga) as well as doing some strengthening a few times a week. I do NOT like conventional weights and prefer more of a fast paced semi-cardio workout that targets individual muscle groups and works on balance at the same time. I do believe that as I continue to hone things down and focus even more energy and attention on my fitness, I will not only be able to break a 1:40, but will improve my stats in the water as well as on the bike.

 

But for now I will relax, stretch, eat whatever I fancy and drink some wine because:

I kicked ass in my first half marathon!