Mission Accomplished!

Well, I'm here to officially tell my blog followers that my half-marathon run was a success! Despite my best efforts to not be prepared, I finished my half-marathon, the See Jane Run in Boise, yesterday in 2 hours and 38 minutes. That, if you are counting, is just over a 12 minute mile on average. A respectable pace for a first timer, at least in my book.

Overall, it actually was a really enjoyable experience. I was blessed with a running buddy, my girlfriend Sara, for over half of the race. We merrily chatted about everything as we ran the first 7 3/4 miles together...at which point my need to start incorporating more walking into my pace. Just before the Mile 8 water station, I sent Sara on her way ahead, while I slowed back.

In general, I felt really good throughout - I stuck with my Power Bar Energy Gel-Chew thingies, eating about one every mile and half or so. The only disappointment I truly had revolved around water station issues. I was unaware that water stations also were handing out gatorade, so I unsuspectingly got gatorade and not water at the first station. That's a bit of a shock when you damn near throw the liquid into your face...luckily I restrained myself. Then I patiently waited until the next water station, two miles away, only to find out they had ran out of water. WTF. However, this did little to dampen my spirits, although it could have. But when you are only 4 miles into a 13 mile race you probably should keep your cool at that point.

After that I made sure that I walked through each water station, grabbing two cups of water - one to throw day my back, and the other to drink. I was really thankful that it turned out to be a mild morning in Boise, mostly overcast, with a little sun and no wind. It was perfect for running.

As for my soreness, it seems to be isolate to my hips, and shoulder muscles, as well as the ball of my right foot. However, I did spend 6.5 hours in the car today - so I'm sure that didn't help my stiffness.

Getting to mile 10 seemed like my biggest goal - leaving me with only the equivalent of 5k between me and the finish line. Well, it was a slow 5k - I hit mile 10 at just about 2 hours - meaning my last 3.1 were quite a bit slower then my overall average. If your curious, the longest mile was the last one - I swear it dragged on forever. However, I managed to make a good sprint starting at the 13 mile marker, so for that last 1/10th of a mile I think I may have set a 6-7 minute pace ;)

In the end, I crossed the finish line at a sprint - I got a medal, and a glass of champagne with chocolate - it was worth every minute and ounce of sweat and it wasn't as hard as it could have been. The verdict? I'm so doing it again. But not until I can walk without my well earned limp ;)

I hope to write again before my wedding but I make no promises, and then I will be off to Thailand for my Honeymoon, but I will be back in mid July - hopefully with a new goal, and some new tales of running woe. Until then Happy Running!

Observations of an Observer

Well folks, the heat is on. My very first half marathon is Saturday. (Insert sound of my impending doom).

In anticipation of my upcoming muscle soreness and brush with what surely will feel like certain death, I shall revisit my weekend experience of attending my first marathon (as a spectator, obviously). My hometown, hosted its first ever marathon, half marathon and 5K this past Sunday- which I didn’t register for. I already had my brain set on the one in Boise, based solely upon its bribes of wine and chocolate. So, I declined to participate and can honestly say now, I am sad I did. This is for a couple of reasons. 1. I am actually fiercely proud of my little hometown, and still consider it home despite having not lived there full time for almost 8 years. Also, there is a total support system when you do things in a small town, and are from said small town – all the locals were cheering other locals – while I have no doubt I will get encouragement from strangers at my See Jane Run half (and from my lovely ladies running with me) but its not quite the same as feeling like you have a town behind you. 2. I am buried in wedding planning, so I sort of wish I wasn’t leaving town to go to Boise for a weekend that could be spent on the wedding to do list. Put these together, and I am truly sad that I was a baby and didn’t participate in the first ever St. Joe Marathon.

Since I didn’t get the privilege of running the St. Joe Half, I decided to do what journalists do – write about it instead. Here are a few of my observations of the differences between half marathons and marathons:

Clearly half marathons are more attractive. The number of runners in the half was easily 2 to 3 times the number of full marathon victims (I mean participants) – which leads me to the conclusion that there are safety in numbers, and thus half marathons are safer. Or less scary. Or both. Not to mention, when you are out for a run that will last more then a couple hours, do you really want to be by yourself? Plus I am a sucker for what is popular.

People seem to actually have enjoyed themselves when they crossed the finish line of the half marathon, versus the finishers of the full. Runners of the half were smiley and cheerful, and tired, but not at all down trodden. After a little recuperation, most appeared to be able to function normally, albeit a little sore. Runners of the marathon seemed to be relieved, exhausted, and confused as to their location. I am fairly sure that I didn’t see any marathon finisher who did not have at least minor limp. Most marathon finishers appeared to have a weariness that I would associated to the feeling of being beaten with a stick. The half marathoners at least appeared 3.6 times more happy. A first time marathon finisher was overheard saying “never doing that shit again” – oh joy. More then one half finisher said – “that wasn’t TOO bad.”

However the silver lining was the observed similarity between the two groups. The overwhelming sense of camaraderie between participants. People cheering and clapping for folks they had never met, stories of strangers giving words of encouragement to those struggling. War stories of the route were shared freely. Everyone who had a finisher medal seemed to be genuinely proud of their little badge of honor – as they should be. Most made sure it was still visible on the outside of their clothes as they donned jackets and sweatshirts post race. They all seemed to smile just a bit brighter, realizing the enormity of achievement.

So when I say I am nervous for my race, it’s the truth. But it was quite the sight to see some many people, all shapes and sizes, so proud of their accomplishment and sporting their medal. I wanted to be one of them. I wanted to feel that pride – so whether I run, walk, limp, crawl and or cry my way to end on Saturday – I want to finish more then anything. So, if you get the chance, on Friday night or Saturday morning – send me some good vibes, thoughts and or prayers. Happy Running!

The run that almost wasn't

The last couple weeks have been really shitty running weeks. I truly believe I have back peddled and am where I was at the beginning of May. That's a real crappy realization to have when my upcoming half marathon is looming -- just 17 days to go. However, that crappy realization was followed quickly by my reminding myself that the goal is to finish the half marathon- perhaps not run the whole 13.1 -- a bit of a lower of the expectations that I started with - but considering the hit my dedication to running has taken - its reasonable.

Wow, this post sort of started with a rant - but it was a long time coming. Clearly i have not blogged in a few weeks. Yes, i have been running ....a little - not nearly as much as I should be. There is something they should emphasize to brides-to-be....all the free time you thought you had will evaporate into the ever growing to do list that is planning your own wedding. The closer the day comes, the more you realize you have to do. And when you do have a free time, you feel like doing nothing, not doing something say running. But I am list maker, and finally I feel like I have gained control of the wedding to do list - but it came with a price. One item being my running. Gah. Tonight, I promised myself a run -- and in an effort to just get going again I set it for a time rather than a distance - one hour. And folks I barely survive 25 minutes. I felt that I had the speed of a giant tortoise and the energy of a sloth swimming in concrete. I ALMOST gave up. Then I did something I didn't expect - I kept going. Now, I'm not sure if I should be writing Power Bar and thanking for their gummy product things (think oversized gummy bears that are raspberry flavored) and offering to give a testimonial but I somehow (probably with those little gummies' help) got through the slump - and managed to go for an hour and 7 minutes

....now I know what you are thinking "you badass." Now before you start patting me on the back, know this: yes, I walked about 10 minutes after the 25 minute mark (you know right when I wanted to quit and die simultaneously) -- but I managed to run out the remainder of my time. The only bad part is that this is no where near where I had hoped to be by this point in the training. Sure, trips to Vegas for an amazing bachelorette party, dress fittings, and a variety of other activities are fun - but they do little to encourage me to go for a run (and or leave little time to do so). So while I am not convinced I am going to be able to run 13.1 miles in 2.5 weeks -- I do know that my resolve is getting better - and that power bar's gummies are the best tasting energy thing I've tried so far.

Happy Running!