2 super powers I discovered after completing my first half marathon.
(My first one, as in, there will be MORE)
1. I can not loose weight while training. Call it a gift. No matter how much I run, how carefully I eat, nothin' happens. Weight does not budge. Don't be jealous! It's a slow thyroid. For real, I've been tested. Dumb dumb dumb.
2. I have a special skill for running UPHILL. What? I don't know. All my life with these big heavy thigh muscles - wondered what purpose they'd ever serve. Well, there it is. I can fly past people uphill. And then continue to zoom downhill. That and all the breakneck trail training I did this summer. PAY OFF!
It was a chilly, lovely fall morning. As I stood at the starting line, I thought, "Well. At least I'll never have to do this again."
Then I thought, "Man I'm cold. I wish I was home. Why do I do this?"
And then I thought, "What better way to spend my precious weekend mornings than crammed in with with thousands of strangers running in the delightful New England autumn?"
I started slow, it seems I really hit my stride after mile 4. Then zoom zoom zoom past all the people who whizzed past me at mile 2. And then continue zooming. The last 2 miles were a little work. But when I ever heard that crowd and saw that finish line, that put some serious wind in my sails and I just went for it. I didn't really want to sprint at the end (bad for the ole ticker) but I just couldn't help myself. What's the purpose of pacing yourself then? Burn it up, I say!!!
I saw some amazing people chuffing along. Skinny butts, fat butts. Midget butts, one-legged butts. Old, young, fierce and timid. Everyone was there. I was proud of all of them and silently wished them all a safe & healthy race. I smiled a lot. It didn't hurt that bad. I felt good, felt love for my fellow runners. I cried the first mile out of joy and gratitude and remembering my lost loved one for whom I was running. I wanted to cry at the end again with gratitude and joy. I can move my body, I can do this, I DID this, and for that I am blessed and grateful.
Showing posts with label Half Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Half Marathon. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Topography
Well I flippn' DID IT.
I ran 13.1 miles. I mapped out my course, measured it with a car, checked the road and weather conditions, and set out to do it. And I did it. I was slow, I didn't quite hit my target time - but hell, I delivered a 9 lb baby earlier this year so I think I will give myself some credit for getting my butt out there instead of focusing on missing my time goal.
I started strong. In fact, the first 9 miles whizzed by almost effortlessly. I was making amazing time - for me - I thought - whoa girl! Slow down if you're going to hold out! The Husband put the kiddos in the car and met me at some appointed meetup spots along the route - and some surprise spots too! It was great having them yell and cheer and random intervals. I drank water the whole time and sucked down a gross gel that actually had fabulous effect on my disposition as I got a little tired. One of the benefits of running an unofficial half marathon, ie; "The My Own Damned Half Marathon" marathon was that I could sleep in a little extra, go when I was ready, get the kids fed first, and head out on my own time, coordinating around feeding times and naps. I left around 11:45 am. I had hoped to pull in around 2pm with a perfectly respectable 10 min mile average.
Down the river, over the bridge, and thru the woods spanning three towns and tons of delicious fall foliage. The weather was crisp and cool - perfect for running. The visibility was great - just mildly overcast enough so that I was not awash in shadows as I ran along the shoulder of the road. Cars could see me well.
And so for 9 miles I flew along. And it was good.
Here's something to think about - TOPOGRAPHY.
You know, hills?
A little something I didn't consider to heavily while charting my course. Sure, I knew there was a mild grade in the road near the end. I knew there were a few little hills at the very very end. No biggie, I thought. I've run up hills before. They do not scare me. Well, driving up a mild grade for 4 miles in a truck and running up them straight up for the last 4 miles are glaringly different experiences. Needless to say - I began hurting bad. My excellent 9.5 min miles got slapped in the face as I ground down to a shuffling chuffing huff. But the heck with it. I kept going, albeit slow, I talked myself through it and I FINISHED. My knees yelled at me, "Hey! You are NOT 20 anymore! Whaddya think you're doing to us?!" I told them to shut up they've been through worse marching around the Appalachian Trails of New England and carrying me through two giant pregnancies. They protested, but I slogged on, er, up. I finished. Shaky, happy, sore. My family cheered. I iced my knees and today I feel fine.
Next time, yes, there WILL be a next time, I will go in reverse order and give myself the lovely advantage of heading downhill for the first 4 miles. I earned it. ;-)
I ran 13.1 miles. I mapped out my course, measured it with a car, checked the road and weather conditions, and set out to do it. And I did it. I was slow, I didn't quite hit my target time - but hell, I delivered a 9 lb baby earlier this year so I think I will give myself some credit for getting my butt out there instead of focusing on missing my time goal.
I started strong. In fact, the first 9 miles whizzed by almost effortlessly. I was making amazing time - for me - I thought - whoa girl! Slow down if you're going to hold out! The Husband put the kiddos in the car and met me at some appointed meetup spots along the route - and some surprise spots too! It was great having them yell and cheer and random intervals. I drank water the whole time and sucked down a gross gel that actually had fabulous effect on my disposition as I got a little tired. One of the benefits of running an unofficial half marathon, ie; "The My Own Damned Half Marathon" marathon was that I could sleep in a little extra, go when I was ready, get the kids fed first, and head out on my own time, coordinating around feeding times and naps. I left around 11:45 am. I had hoped to pull in around 2pm with a perfectly respectable 10 min mile average.
Down the river, over the bridge, and thru the woods spanning three towns and tons of delicious fall foliage. The weather was crisp and cool - perfect for running. The visibility was great - just mildly overcast enough so that I was not awash in shadows as I ran along the shoulder of the road. Cars could see me well.
And so for 9 miles I flew along. And it was good.
Here's something to think about - TOPOGRAPHY.
You know, hills?
A little something I didn't consider to heavily while charting my course. Sure, I knew there was a mild grade in the road near the end. I knew there were a few little hills at the very very end. No biggie, I thought. I've run up hills before. They do not scare me. Well, driving up a mild grade for 4 miles in a truck and running up them straight up for the last 4 miles are glaringly different experiences. Needless to say - I began hurting bad. My excellent 9.5 min miles got slapped in the face as I ground down to a shuffling chuffing huff. But the heck with it. I kept going, albeit slow, I talked myself through it and I FINISHED. My knees yelled at me, "Hey! You are NOT 20 anymore! Whaddya think you're doing to us?!" I told them to shut up they've been through worse marching around the Appalachian Trails of New England and carrying me through two giant pregnancies. They protested, but I slogged on, er, up. I finished. Shaky, happy, sore. My family cheered. I iced my knees and today I feel fine.
Next time, yes, there WILL be a next time, I will go in reverse order and give myself the lovely advantage of heading downhill for the first 4 miles. I earned it. ;-)
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