As soon as I stepped out onto my balcony, I knew I should haveabandoned my time goal. But part of me (the optimist) was hoping that it wouldn't be that bad and that all my training in the heat of the day would hold up today trying to run 13.1 miles in 78% humidity.
But things don't always work out the way we plan
I knew I was in trouble when my first mile clocked in at 9:56 and I felt like I'd stupidly sprinted the entire mile. I backed off the pace a little and tried to keep it steady at 10:20. I was still around quite a few runners at this point and found a pack and tried to stick with them. Slowly, I fell to the back, then lost them at the water station. But I pressed on.
The course moved onto the bike path and was up and down, up and down, up and down. I was physically drained by the time I saw my friend at mile 6.5. She told me I was doing fine and to keep it up. So I did, even though my entire body was screaming to quit.
At this point in the race, the course repeats itself (one big loop we did twice). I mistakenly looked down the street and saw the finish line a quarter mile away, but still 6.5 miles to go. At this point, I fell apart a little mentally. I wanted so much to give up, I was doing so BAD! It was so HARD! It was so HUMID!
I kept on.
To say the last 4 miles were a struggle is putting it mildly. I shuffled through them and tried to keep it together but I felt like death. I started chatting with another runner (Amy) who was doing a run/walk strategy as part of her Team in Training program. We ran about the same pace and talking with her really helped take my mind off of how bad I felt, physically and mentally. She eventually beat me (not hard) but we agreed to try and get together in the future for long runs as she is also training for the Columbus Marathon in October.
The last two aid stations ran out of water and the last one out of gatorade as well. It's ok, I thought to myself, I'll drink when I'm dead. Which should be soon!
The finish line was on the top of yet another hill but I got there. 2.29.30 and honestly, I was a little surprised. While it was no where near the time I wanted to run, it was only 27 seconds slower than my 1st 1/2 back in April. Considering the conditions, I think I can be ok with that time. I wanted to clock a faster time to prove to myself that all the hard work I've been doing is paying off but what can I say? Somedays it just doesn't happen. I know in my bones, muscles, joints, brain, heart that I'm a stronger runner than I was 5 months ago. Today just wasn't my day.
In a strange twisted sort of way, I'm a little glad this race was so tough. (The humidity, the hills, the heat, the lack of fluids in the final miles, the lack of crowd support, the mental toughness of having to run that stupid loop twice, did I mention the humidty?) I think the experience of gutting it out to the finish even when my body and brain both agreed that it was time to stop will be a valuable tool in future long runs and, ultimately, the marathon.
Good grief. Am I really going to run a marathon??
9 comments:
Congrats on the half marathon. I found your blog through one of the posts at Runner's World and I will add you to my regular visits. It's nice to have virtual running friends even if my friends don't want to get out and do 5 miles with me!
Great job Kate!
It is the mental stuff that we conquer that allows us to get through the physical part. This race will indeed end up adding much to your overall marathon training.
Wait-a-go for hanging in when you wanted nothing more than to quit!
WEEHOO congrats. I came here through Pattys run blog we are doing my first 1/2 Aug 19th IN South Dakota, its an all womens marathon so if I die then at least it will be only women who see..lol
Congrats on your 1/2 and good luck on your training!!
Oh, Hon, I am so sorry this was so rough. Just what everyone dreads.... You did a great job gutting it out. I totally agree with Patty - getting through this adds a ton to your training both mentally and physically. Now you know you have the mental stuff, plus, if it was that hard, it HAD to of made you stronger (that's what I always tell myself!) Do NOT let yourself get down. You finished under terrible conditions. Who do I speak to about the lack of water and gatorade situation? Unacceptable. My friend, Kate needed water. They are lucky I'm not there to give them what for. :)
Kate,
Great job on the half. You had a lot of factors working against you. The worst factor however is yourself, the mind and the body. When they begin to rebel, it is hard to keep up the run. BUT, you did it for 13.1, you overcame. That in itself is a victory to be proud of.
Kate,
Congrats! on finishing. Not only did you finish, but you gained race experience and knowledge that will help you in your marathon.
Keep pressing toward the finish line!
gaj
I am the only one that's jealous! I wanted to do this one sooo bad!! Great job - I figured it was going to be hot & that loop KILLED me when I looked at it! :)
Great post! The three most inspiring words--"I kept on." We all get to that point and wonder how we can humanly finish. And by that point, I'm already trying to think up what I'm going to tell others about the race. Stay strong with your training. I look forward to following your progress to Columbus!
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Thanks everyone! I remember thinking at about the 7 mile mark that if I didn't finish, I wouldn't be able to wear the florecent green race tshirt on monday and I would have SOOO much explaning to do. Finishing seemed like the better choice.
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