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lls_mutantOkay, so a half-marathon is hardly impossible. But still!!!!
I had the joy of heading down into the city the day before the race. It was a joy because it made everything relaxed, and because I have not spent a night away from my children since Trevor was born. I love my two boys dearly, but I needed a BREAK. And my wonderful, lovely, amazing husband was kind enough to give me one.
So, my husband's best friend (running) and his wife (cheering) picked me up and we went into the city. At first, this was terrifying because my husband's best friend drives like a maniac. Seriously. I was sitting in the back seat, he was driving shift, and he took back roads. I swear I thought I was going to hurl. But finally we get there, and I check into my hotel room and then run over to the Health and Fitness Expo to get my packet.
I haven't raced in years. The last race I ran was the Arts Fest 10K in 2002. The last race before that might have been in college, but could have even been high school. So it's been a long time since I picked up a packet and got my number, but the little thrill of "now I'm really doing this" was still the same. The shirts were super bright orange this year- I refused to wear it pre-race. It amuses me that I still have that old superstition. (Erm, high school was back in 1992.) I wandered through the expo- it was the expected samples of energy drinks and gels, sneakers and running gear, and running t-shirts. I did buy two shirts- one that I'm wearing right now that says "One bad mother runner", and one that I wore for the race that says "I know, I know... I'm almost there."
We were supposed to meet best friend #2 for dinner, but he and his wife wanted to do Italian at 7:30, and the rest of us wanted to leave for Cuban at 5:00. So, we split up for dinner. I had a few minutes in the lobby to talk to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
aome- she called me from the front desk while I was actually sitting in the lobby, which amused us, and it was great to catch up with her. Then we went to Cuba Libre for dinner.
I would so go back there.
I didn't want to eat too heavy, so I ended up having an appetizer and then another appetizer as my dinner. My appetizer was these garlic potato croquettes stuffed with this beef filling and covered with sauce and friend onions. VERY tasty. My "dinner" was three empadas with different fillings, along with a small spinach salad with a goat cheese ranch dressing. They were very small, but it worked perfectly. It even allowed me to have some chocolate dulce leche blueberry compote thing for dessert, which, let me tell you, was the highlight of an already excellent meal. Sadly, I had to stick to water.
I had plans to hit the hot tub, but the pool was closed due to an engineering problem. I rifled through the free samples and race fliers in my goodie bag, scrolled through the movies on TV, and then crashed at 9:30. It was a good move, especially given that I didn't sleep great. Oh well.
The race was maybe a mile and a half from our hotel, and the day was gorgeous. I mean, perfect blue sky, not a single cloud, great temperature... GORGEOUS. We walked on down and got there "just in time." The race was about to start... but I was in corral 17, which meant I started about a half hour after the gun went off. (They have these neat chip things that you put on your shoe and they record when you actually cross the start line so you can get your REAL time.) The numbers went up to 18,000, and over 12,000 people finished the race, so it was a pretty big crowd.
I actually got to cheer for the guys- the race course consisted of one small loop and one large loop, and as I was going out on the small loop they were coming back in. Go guys!
Running is a weird sport for me. I truly love it, but it breaks my heart. See, I started running in high school, and I loved it. I thought I'd be a runner for the rest of my life. But I ran a lot with my dad, and then he died when I was sixteen. So running is very tied up in memories of him. I go through spurts where I adore it, and spurts where I hate it. I ran a lot around my wedding, and I wished I could run when I was having my kids. It makes me feel very close to him. I actually still have the sweatshirt he used to wear when he ran, and I wore it over to the race that day.
Anyway, the race course was awesome. It went through historic Philly- past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and all that good stuff, and started and finished at the Museum of Art (yes, the one that Rocky runs up the steps), and went up Fairway Park and back down Boathouse Row. There were bands playing at every mile, which was pretty cool. And I caughtaome cheering for me at least twice!
Around mile 4 I realized that, wait a second, I was going a lot faster than the 12-13 minute miles I was shooting for. But I didn't feel like I was really pushing it. I was doing between 10 and 11 minute miles. I slowed it down a touch, but I really wasn't straining, so not much. I was definitely feeling good. I could have brought my headphones (and sort of regret not doing that!), but I must have repeated the quote "We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty" over a hundred times on that run. Go Joss!
I did get a stitch, and I had to walk a tiny bit, but it was less than a quarter of a mile. There are few feelings better than when you run through a stitch and that wonderful, dawning realization that it's going away now. I also walked through most of the water stations- I tried to run through the first one and spilled all over myself, so I slowed down to a walk for those. But otherwise I ran the whole thing.
At some point, maybe mile 8 or 9, I decided I wanted to make it in with a gun time of less than 3 hours. I'd originally been shooting for 2:45, and realized I might be going faster than that. As I got closer, it looked like I really was going to get that gun time of under 3:00. So, I did my best to really move on the last mile, although let me tell you, I was DEAD. I could not WAIT to finish.
To my surprise, though, when I saw that 13 mile marker (a half-marathon is 13.1 miles), I found myself... not sprinting, but really striding strong and hard and fast into the finish line. It was like I couldn't stop myself from running like that. I ended up with a gun time of 2:50 something, and I was grinning from ear to ear when I crossed. Then I grabbed the nearest offered bottle of water and drank the whole thing down almost immediately.
I went through the runner's circle, not in the mood for any food- just water. I got out, got my gear, and then tried calling the guys (they were long since done and showering) andaome. She'd tried to catch me at the finish line, but I ended up finishing a lot earlier than we'd expected, and her BIL finished four minutes ahead of me, so she was a little distracted :) I walked back to the hotel with them, which was really nice- got to see her girls, and get to talk to her hubby and BIL a little (very nice guys) and actually get some time to see her, which was nice. We definitely have to get together for a non-sweating event!
The guys left the city before I did (which I'd been planning on, and frankly kind of hoping for), so I showered and then limped over to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. I had a nice piece of spanikopeta, and then an ice cream cone. And OH, was that ice cream come GOOD. I meant to stay out later, but frankly I was exhausted, so I went and caught the 1:40 train home, and finally started reading The Kite Runner on the way home. (OMG- SO good so far!) I got lost coming home from the rail station, stopped and vacuumed out my car since hubby took the carseats for the weekend, and then had my triumphant return. My husband was very properly impressed- especially at my battle scars. (I've got some nasty blisters, and a huge chafe mark where my sports bra rubbed me raw, although that one's really more from last weekend.)
Once I was home, I was able to check my real time, and I was amazed. I finished 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 55 seconds. I was also psyched, because like I said, I was shooting for 2:45. Granted, the Philly course is flat and fast, but still- I was psyched.
So, yeah. The race was a total success and I really enjoyed it, and I'm seriously considering doing it again next year. AND signing up for the Philadelphia Marathon, which takes place in November. Because really... yeah. That's what I'm really after, isn't it???
26.2 miles. I could do it, don't you think???? :)
Edit- a few pictures! Click here. I'm wearing a blue t-shirt that says "I know, I know... I'm getting there." Some of the pictures are HORRIBLE- not only do I really need to lose some weight, even when I'm skinny I look like shit when I'm seriously running, and those are at the finish line. But there are some decent ones.
I had the joy of heading down into the city the day before the race. It was a joy because it made everything relaxed, and because I have not spent a night away from my children since Trevor was born. I love my two boys dearly, but I needed a BREAK. And my wonderful, lovely, amazing husband was kind enough to give me one.
So, my husband's best friend (running) and his wife (cheering) picked me up and we went into the city. At first, this was terrifying because my husband's best friend drives like a maniac. Seriously. I was sitting in the back seat, he was driving shift, and he took back roads. I swear I thought I was going to hurl. But finally we get there, and I check into my hotel room and then run over to the Health and Fitness Expo to get my packet.
I haven't raced in years. The last race I ran was the Arts Fest 10K in 2002. The last race before that might have been in college, but could have even been high school. So it's been a long time since I picked up a packet and got my number, but the little thrill of "now I'm really doing this" was still the same. The shirts were super bright orange this year- I refused to wear it pre-race. It amuses me that I still have that old superstition. (Erm, high school was back in 1992.) I wandered through the expo- it was the expected samples of energy drinks and gels, sneakers and running gear, and running t-shirts. I did buy two shirts- one that I'm wearing right now that says "One bad mother runner", and one that I wore for the race that says "I know, I know... I'm almost there."
We were supposed to meet best friend #2 for dinner, but he and his wife wanted to do Italian at 7:30, and the rest of us wanted to leave for Cuban at 5:00. So, we split up for dinner. I had a few minutes in the lobby to talk to
aome- she called me from the front desk while I was actually sitting in the lobby, which amused us, and it was great to catch up with her. Then we went to Cuba Libre for dinner.I would so go back there.
I didn't want to eat too heavy, so I ended up having an appetizer and then another appetizer as my dinner. My appetizer was these garlic potato croquettes stuffed with this beef filling and covered with sauce and friend onions. VERY tasty. My "dinner" was three empadas with different fillings, along with a small spinach salad with a goat cheese ranch dressing. They were very small, but it worked perfectly. It even allowed me to have some chocolate dulce leche blueberry compote thing for dessert, which, let me tell you, was the highlight of an already excellent meal. Sadly, I had to stick to water.
I had plans to hit the hot tub, but the pool was closed due to an engineering problem. I rifled through the free samples and race fliers in my goodie bag, scrolled through the movies on TV, and then crashed at 9:30. It was a good move, especially given that I didn't sleep great. Oh well.
The race was maybe a mile and a half from our hotel, and the day was gorgeous. I mean, perfect blue sky, not a single cloud, great temperature... GORGEOUS. We walked on down and got there "just in time." The race was about to start... but I was in corral 17, which meant I started about a half hour after the gun went off. (They have these neat chip things that you put on your shoe and they record when you actually cross the start line so you can get your REAL time.) The numbers went up to 18,000, and over 12,000 people finished the race, so it was a pretty big crowd.
I actually got to cheer for the guys- the race course consisted of one small loop and one large loop, and as I was going out on the small loop they were coming back in. Go guys!
Running is a weird sport for me. I truly love it, but it breaks my heart. See, I started running in high school, and I loved it. I thought I'd be a runner for the rest of my life. But I ran a lot with my dad, and then he died when I was sixteen. So running is very tied up in memories of him. I go through spurts where I adore it, and spurts where I hate it. I ran a lot around my wedding, and I wished I could run when I was having my kids. It makes me feel very close to him. I actually still have the sweatshirt he used to wear when he ran, and I wore it over to the race that day.
Anyway, the race course was awesome. It went through historic Philly- past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and all that good stuff, and started and finished at the Museum of Art (yes, the one that Rocky runs up the steps), and went up Fairway Park and back down Boathouse Row. There were bands playing at every mile, which was pretty cool. And I caught
aome cheering for me at least twice!Around mile 4 I realized that, wait a second, I was going a lot faster than the 12-13 minute miles I was shooting for. But I didn't feel like I was really pushing it. I was doing between 10 and 11 minute miles. I slowed it down a touch, but I really wasn't straining, so not much. I was definitely feeling good. I could have brought my headphones (and sort of regret not doing that!), but I must have repeated the quote "We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty" over a hundred times on that run. Go Joss!
I did get a stitch, and I had to walk a tiny bit, but it was less than a quarter of a mile. There are few feelings better than when you run through a stitch and that wonderful, dawning realization that it's going away now. I also walked through most of the water stations- I tried to run through the first one and spilled all over myself, so I slowed down to a walk for those. But otherwise I ran the whole thing.
At some point, maybe mile 8 or 9, I decided I wanted to make it in with a gun time of less than 3 hours. I'd originally been shooting for 2:45, and realized I might be going faster than that. As I got closer, it looked like I really was going to get that gun time of under 3:00. So, I did my best to really move on the last mile, although let me tell you, I was DEAD. I could not WAIT to finish.
To my surprise, though, when I saw that 13 mile marker (a half-marathon is 13.1 miles), I found myself... not sprinting, but really striding strong and hard and fast into the finish line. It was like I couldn't stop myself from running like that. I ended up with a gun time of 2:50 something, and I was grinning from ear to ear when I crossed. Then I grabbed the nearest offered bottle of water and drank the whole thing down almost immediately.
I went through the runner's circle, not in the mood for any food- just water. I got out, got my gear, and then tried calling the guys (they were long since done and showering) and
aome. She'd tried to catch me at the finish line, but I ended up finishing a lot earlier than we'd expected, and her BIL finished four minutes ahead of me, so she was a little distracted :) I walked back to the hotel with them, which was really nice- got to see her girls, and get to talk to her hubby and BIL a little (very nice guys) and actually get some time to see her, which was nice. We definitely have to get together for a non-sweating event!The guys left the city before I did (which I'd been planning on, and frankly kind of hoping for), so I showered and then limped over to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. I had a nice piece of spanikopeta, and then an ice cream cone. And OH, was that ice cream come GOOD. I meant to stay out later, but frankly I was exhausted, so I went and caught the 1:40 train home, and finally started reading The Kite Runner on the way home. (OMG- SO good so far!) I got lost coming home from the rail station, stopped and vacuumed out my car since hubby took the carseats for the weekend, and then had my triumphant return. My husband was very properly impressed- especially at my battle scars. (I've got some nasty blisters, and a huge chafe mark where my sports bra rubbed me raw, although that one's really more from last weekend.)
Once I was home, I was able to check my real time, and I was amazed. I finished 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 55 seconds. I was also psyched, because like I said, I was shooting for 2:45. Granted, the Philly course is flat and fast, but still- I was psyched.
So, yeah. The race was a total success and I really enjoyed it, and I'm seriously considering doing it again next year. AND signing up for the Philadelphia Marathon, which takes place in November. Because really... yeah. That's what I'm really after, isn't it???
26.2 miles. I could do it, don't you think???? :)
Edit- a few pictures! Click here. I'm wearing a blue t-shirt that says "I know, I know... I'm getting there." Some of the pictures are HORRIBLE- not only do I really need to lose some weight, even when I'm skinny I look like shit when I'm seriously running, and those are at the finish line. But there are some decent ones.
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Date: 2009-09-22 03:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 03:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 03:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 03:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 04:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 05:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 10:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 11:45 am (UTC)You worked very hard for this. You definitely deserve your sense of pride. I'm very impressed. AND you finished your Big Bang while training for this. :D
no subject
Date: 2009-09-22 11:50 am (UTC)Glad you made it out safe. We hit a snag when, on our way out of town to 676, we ran into a Chinatown parade (celebrating 60 years of the PRC). So, on the one hand, we were stuck in traffic for a good 10 mins. On the other hand, we were 2nd in line so we got to watch the parade as it went past, which was kind of fun. :)
Will try to download our camera pics and send you some more photos soon. How are you feeling, physically?
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Date: 2009-09-23 03:54 am (UTC)Definitely not this November. Aside from the fact the race is sold out, we weren't planning on it, and some of the training runs are long and brutal. Next year.
That's cool that you got to see the parade! (Well, lemonade out of lemons cool :) )
Feeling pretty good physically, actually, although a few muscles are very much protesting!!!!
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Date: 2009-09-22 04:27 pm (UTC)You can totally do a marathon! Go for it!
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Date: 2009-09-22 11:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 02:42 am (UTC)YAY YOU!! *\o/*