We got to the top around 8:30am then had to stand around freezing for the next hour and a half. We kept ourselves pretty entertained and had fun people watching. After the obligatory porta-potty visit we were herded up to the start line only to wait some more and continue freezing.
I took 2 shot blocks at miles 6 and remembered how much I hate gummy things. It was my first time taking them which I realize was risky during a race but I wanted to have at least a little something in me to get me through after my initial fuel burned off. I'm not sure if they worked, if the caffeine in them was a problem or if I should have taken more. I'll definitely be trying some GU before my next 1/2 to try it out. I hit a wall around mile 10 and I need to figure out how to get past it and I think the shot blocks or GU might help me out (yes? no? suggestions?).
The next 4 miles were pretty much uneventful. I ran around the same group of people, looked at all the gorgeous scenery and just felt like I was in the zone. At mile 10 I was getting excited that I was nearing the end of the race but was also a little nervous about arriving at a distance that I'd never gone past. I was already feeling a little disappointed in how slow I was running (not sure how much of that was due to the altitude or how much I'd slacked in my training the 2 weeks prior to the race) and was just hoping I could tackle the next 3 miles at a decent pace.
Mile 10 was pretty rough. Mile 11 I realized I was in the depths of Hell. There was nothing difficult about the terrain but it proved to be the hardest, longest mile I'd ever run. I was so tired that I couldn't even run for a 1/4 mile without a walk break. My brain was telling me that the finish line was a million miles away and I'd have to crawl in long after everyone else had already finished. But the followup thought always went a little something like, "oh suck it up and keep running!" Which I did. I'm not gonna lie. I almost broke down in tears 3 times during this mile. I really needed my girls to get me through and I seriously considered just stopping and waiting for Chloe and Anne and finishing with them. But I also knew that Jen was in front of me and I'd later regret not giving it everything I had in me to just keep going. Mile 12 was an interesting one because we started seeing a lot of the locals sitting on their porches watching us all shuffle along. One group of people kept telling everyone, "Only 5 more blocks!" But, damn! Do you know how far 5 blocks sounds when you've just run 12-3/4 miles? It definitely wasn't as encouraging as they intended to be I'm sure.
I turned the last corner and finally saw the finish line. It felt like a mirage, never seeming to get any closer. Just before the corral at the finish line my awesome, exercise-crazed friend, Sarah, jumped out from the crowd and started screaming at me to "SPRINT, CHRISTY! SPRINT!" My only retort was, "Sarah! This IS sprinting!" And even though her screaming startled me a bit, it was just what I needed to carry me through to the finish line. Finally I crossed it! 2:45 minutes after I began I finally accomplished one of my life goals to run a 1/2 marathon! I did it!
As I said before I didn't finish as fast as I would have liked. I was really aiming for a 2:30 finish. But considering it was my first 1/2 and perhaps the elevation didn't help, I was still proud of my time and just darn right proud of myself for finishing at all.
5 comments:
Oh!! Yea for you!! Im so proud!! Be glad with that time! My roommate made it at 3.15. SO YOU DID GREAT!! :D
You are rad!
And...I just realized (because I'm a little slow) that I totally used your video idea and didn't even give you credit. I can't believe I'm "that girl". I guess we all are at some point.
Anyway, these were super fun to watch!
Congratulations!!!!! You're amazing! You really deserve a finisher's medal...
You really took a picture of yourself in the porta potty...that is dedication!
That was amazing. I felt like I was there with you. Congrats on the accomplishment.
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