Half-marathon catch up

As you know, I flew from Alabama to Nebraska April 30 so I could run in the Lincoln Half-Marathon. My goal was to finish in less than 3 hours, with the assumption that I would be walking a few miles. Since this was my first half, I didn't know what to expect.

The morning of the race was a chilly 42ish degrees and there were some 10,000 of us crazy people standing outside getting ready to run. Seriously. Who runs 13.1 or worse, the whole marathon? I rushed here and there to get my packet and to drop off my stuff in the stadium, and after a while, I couldn't really even feel the cold anymore, so I ditched the long sleeve shirt I planned to wear for the first few miles. My pal Casey had dropped me off and went to find the first check point where she could cheer me on, so I was just hanging out solo, stretching, getting myself prepped for the race. I was lucky to see an old high school friend whose dad is a regular runner of the half, and he gave me some tips about the course and what miles there was a big hill to run up. Very helpful information!

The first few miles were a struggle. My abdomen cramped up right away and I thought, "great, just great, after all the hype, I'm not going to be able to finish." I'm no quitter though, and I just decided I'd run through the pain for as long as I could, and after the third mile, it didn't bother me anymore. I just kept the pace I've been training at, and let my iPod and the amazing cheering crowd take me down the road.

**I must note here that the support of the Lincoln people was amazing. Throughout the entire route, there were people cheering, people playing music in their driveways, signs, chalk messages, benches, a jellybean stand, and there was even a kid playing his drums as the runners went by. The water and gatorade tables were prepared and the people were always smiling, even in the cold wind.

As I went down the road, I just lost myself in people watching. I scanned the crowds for people I knew, I watched other runners confidently run past, and those who struggled and it really helped me pass the time. I had forgotten to bring my watch along, so I had no idea how long I had been running and all I had to go off of were the occasional mile signs I passed. The first few miles seemed to drag, but the last 4 really went fast. It was crazy. Looking back, I know I could have picked up the pace the last few miles, but by the time I realized it was over, it was too late to really do much more.

My finish time was 2 hours 22 minutes and 26 seconds. I kicked my 3 hour goal's ass, and even kicked my secret 2.5 hour goal's ass. The best part about the entire thing is I ran the entire way. I didn't even think about walking. It was very empowering. My legs were jello once I stopped and I absolutely felt like I ran 13.1 miles, but I did it and I'm very proud.

Now that it's over, I want to do it again. And I will. I've found something I enjoy and something for which I can be proud. Next year, I hope to beat my time, and if I can keep up on the running over the next 11 months, I'm confident I will be able to do just that.

Run Log:
December: 18.26 miles
January: 15.42 miles
February: 23 miles

March: 28.7 miles

April: 46.6 miles