It has been a little while since I have blogged YET again, but this girl has been busy! Not to mention ending the after school program I was involved in, and my training for a half marathon, its been busy and crazy lately! After yesterday I had to get a post up here about The Helvetia Half Marathon! I can not tell you how amazing it was to finally get to this point! When I completed my 10k (6.2 miles) last month, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do the half marathon. All the mental and physical processes that go through your body are sometimes amazing, but sometimes not the most fun. For a second, I did doubt that I would be able to add on another 6.9 miles and if I would make it and not have someone pick me up along the way!
Yesterday morning was race day. Not only did I have the amazing support of my dad, but two of my awesome friends and co-workers were there to run the race with me! It was wonderful to be there, and even to share some of the same nerves they were experiencing as well. The race started at 8am and it started off great! Wasn't too crowded at the start line and my Dad shot ahead of the girls (I told him he could..;)) and we paced ourselves around the 10:30 min mile pacer area. Once I got to mile 2 the nerves immediately started falling away, and I remembered to myself that this was the final step in my journey this year. I had ran a 5k, 8k,10k and now the half marathon. I wanted to do my best and I was ready to push forward and kick some booty in this half marathon! With that being said, I did move forward from the other girls (which they were of course OK with!) and took a little faster pace.
It was really interesting to me to realize how fast you would pass and get to some of the mile markers. I took advantage of most of the aid stations always getting water or taking a gatorade like- drink that helped hydrate you too. (I can't seem to remember what it was called, but I'm sure someone that is reading this could tell me) At first, I felt on top of the world and feeling like maybe I could run a marathon. Then I hit the HILLS on the course. Oh my god! Talk about incline of maybe 20 on a treadmill?! Since I knew that the first hill that I hit would be one of many (I think there ended up being 4 or 5 steep ones) I decided to run as far as I could up the hills, but if I needed to stop I would. My pace even for walking is at about an 11:30 min mile, so I knew I wouldn't be losing too much time.
The atmosphere and aura around this race is one that I will always love, and who knows I may come back each year and do this race. Everyone was so excited, and all shapes and sizes of people were running along side of me! For me, it was amazing to be ahead of someone like a body builder, or a woman that was much smaller than me! As bad as this may sound passing them felt AWESOME! I had trained long and hard for this moment and even when my feet, knees, and body felt like I could not take anymore I pushed through that so I could get to the day of running the Helvetia Half Marathon!
When I got to about mile 10 I hit the famous "road block" that everyone talks about when running a half marathon or marathon. My feet were sore (heels especially since that was the main issue through my training that I had been having) but my CALFS were rock hard and tight like no other! At this point, I had a little over three miles to go, so I walked till I got to mile 11. After that, I knew I wanted to finish strong and run the rest of the way. I tried my hardest to push all the stiffness and soreness that I was feeling away, because all of that didn't matter. I was SO close to finishing my first half marathon and I couldn't help to think of how far I had come.
When I got to mile 12 I couldn't believe I had almost made it! For the last 2 or 3 miles I had to reflect on how far I had come. Almost a year and a half ago, I had never thought I would decide to do anything like this. From struggling with my weight my whole life, and not being able to do the things that I believe I truly wanted to do deep down. This step for me proves how strong I have become and how ready I am to take on new and exciting things in my life!
Running into the stadium where I was about the finish 13.1 miles was the most inspiring moment I have had in a long time. People are lined up to cheer on their friends at the end, but they also are sitting there clapping for you. I had a lady yell out to me, "Great stride, what a good way to end this for you!" This woman did not even know me, yet her encouraging words helped me push through the last little bit of the way. When I finished I did not know whether to scream, cry, or just laugh. I HAD DONE IT! All the pain, running so many times throughout the weeks, and everything has paid off! Not only had I finished, but I had made a hope and promise to myself that I would finish under 2 1/2 hours, and I DID!
My final official time was 2:23:48...Meaning I had definently ran it under 2 1/2 hours, and even a few minutes to spare!!
I know I keep on saying this, but I can't believe how far I have come. I finally look at myself and see what I have accomplished in the past year and a half. I've lost the weight that I needed to, and now I finally feel like I can live the life that was always there for me! The next step for me is possibly doing an all women's triathalan sprint in July with a friend, but we shall see where the road takes me. I'm going to get back in the gym for awhile, and just enjoy taking some classes, and lifting again. Also may go skydiving in August with some friends too!
Nothing is off limits for me anymore, and that is the feeling and saying that I have always wanted to hear.
Here are some photos that were taken by my wonderful boss, Brandi and also some from after the race:)
Me finishing at the Stadium. Brandi added the creative art around my picture:)
Lisa and I after the race with our medals! We rocked the Helvetia Half for sure!
Dad and I after the race! He has been with me throughout almost all my races and I can't tell you how awesome it is to be able to run with him!
This has been an amazing experience for me! I only hope that there are many more of these experiences to come!:)
