My Journey to Half: April 2014

It's taken me a little too long to get this recap written but I finally forced myself to carve out a little time and work on it. Before I had even completed my first half marathon - before I knew if I was even going to enjoy pushing myself to achieve that distance - I signed up for two more half-marathons here in Kansas City the day before the price increased. I had heard from several people that Rock the Parkway was a great half-marathon so I added it to my race list and paid my money.

5th Anniversary of the race

My sister went with me to the expo the day before. We enjoyed walking around and checking out the booths. I hadn't planned on making any purchases, but a local running store's booth had a couple sales I couldn't pass up and picked up a handheld water bottle for the race and finally got myself a pair of compression calf sleeves. Since the husband was out of town again, my sister took my kids for me Friday night so I wouldn't have to worry about getting them up early in the morning and planned on coming down to the race at some point to cheer me on.

I got the race early so I could stretch out and relax. I was really happy I made that decision once I realized my shirt was on inside out and I had to hide behind a dumpster to flip it around...sigh... I took time to collect my thoughts, get my head in the right spot and just enjoy the sun coming up and the excitement that continued to grow as more people arrived for the races. I also had the chance to meet up with a local runner, and fellow Swirlgear ambassador, LaStacia who I met through the Swirlgear FB page. We had planned to get together for a photo with another ambassador Laura and I'm so happy we did - I didn't have a lot of photos from that race.

LaStacia, myself and Laura

As I was preparing for this race, I decided I wanted to try running with a pace group. I knew very little about them but had heard such wonderful things about the pacers during PHM that I decided to do a little research. It didn't take me long to decide that might be the best option for me in this race - especially since RTP has a 14 minute mile minimum. I knew my moving time at PHM was around 3:14 (finishing time of 3:33)- so I decided to try to run with the 3:05 group. My decision was further supported when I realized that one of the pacers for the time was a high school and college classmate from my little hometown in southern Kansas, someone I hadn't seen in possibly 15 years. We're FB friends, so I reached out to him in advance to inquire about his pacing strategy and to let him know I was thinking of joining his group. Bonus - I forgot my Garmin at home that morning, so running with pacers was fantastic.

When I headed into the corral I was excited to see Steve again, to meet his fellow pacer Becki and chat with the other ladies who were going to start the race with the pace group. Unfortunately, I would only see one of those women again, right after I crossed the finish line, but they were all a little faster than me and took off not long after the first mile.

When the race started, the pace was a little slower than I was prepared for. It took some adjusting in my mental state, but I kept telling myself it would help me in the end and to stick with it. I ran almost the first 2 miles and then began walking when I felt like I needed to. I sped up a little bit to a more comfortable pace, but stayed pretty close to my pacers. After we passed the 5K mark, I found myself speeding up just a little bit more. The 3:00 pace group was right in front of us and I decided as long as I could stay in between both pace groups, I would be doing well. And, up until mile 12, I managed to do that.

Overall, the race is fantastic. Quite hilly, but beautiful. The other runners were great - people were smiling and encouraging. And wow - the volunteers and spectators that lined the course, all 13.1 miles, were incredible. Hats off to them - they have no idea how uplifting it is to see them standing there, cheering loudly, ringing cowbells, etc. Not to mention, the signs were pretty fantastic the entire day.

My favorite signs of the day.

Around mile 4 we passed the Meyer Circle Fountain, and I couldn't help but stop and take a photo. At mile 5, we ventured off Ward Parkway and ran through a couple miles of residential area. During this run, I met up with the 3:00 pacers and managed to stay with them for a while. Then we hit more of those wicked hills and I had to slow myself down and power walk through them.

Meyer Circle Fountain

By the time we got out of the residential area and back on Ward Parkway, the wind was starting to pick up. Steve had warned a headwind would find us on the last half of the race, but I was hoping he was wrong. Welp. I was wrong. A headwind arrived around mile 7 and I knew it was going to be a rough finish. I cheesed it up for the camera at mile 7 and prepared myself for the tough second half of the race.

Halfway down, and I'm feeling good

I was feeling good and smiling. I really was having fun. I noticed a gal running next to me and she was struggling. I heard her asking a volunteer where the next water station was - I knew we were at least another 1-2 miles away. I ran over, handed her my bottle and told her to help herself. She protested a little, but I told her I was fine and would refill at the next station and that I wanted her to get a drink. She gave in and I'm so happy she did. I sure hope she finished the race.

We had a wicked climb approaching mile 8 and the course finally began to flatten out, maybe even go downhill a little. I was slowing down and the 3:00 pacers were nowhere in sight - and with it my brief thoughts from earlier of a sub-3 hour half - but neither were Steve and Becki so I was still feeling confident and strong. I wanted to finish no worse than 3:05 and knew as long as I stayed in front of them I would. And then, it happened...again. Around mile 9 or 9.5 I got incredibly sick to my stomach, just like at PHM. With every step I took I thought I was going to throw up. Add in the fun of the strong headwinds and the final 5K of the race was miserable. We passed by the fountain again but I paid little attention. I was more worried about finishing on my feet, finishing in 3:05 or under and not throwing up. I began searching out people in front of me to pick off one by one, challenging myself to not just get in front of them but to put distance between us once I got passed them.

Mile 9

I sent Mark a text at mile 10 and asked him to remind me why I want to run half-marathons. I was also sending my sister mile updates as I ran so she could find me on the course. The last 5K I walked more than I ran, and more than I wanted to. But, I was going to finish no matter what. Steve and Becki caught up to me around mile 11.5 and I explained to them why I was struggling. They continued to encourage me to keep going and I did my best to stay with them. At one point, Becki pointed up at a group watching us from a structure above - I guess they were yelling my name (thanks to my bib) and cheering me on. I wish I would have heard them but I didn't. All I could hear was my own thoughts, telling me to keep pushing, keep running. Steve and Becki got in front of me a little but I was determined to keep them close. Then, around mile 12/12.25 I saw the most glorious sight I could've seen - my little man in his Superman shirt waiting for me. He saw me at the same time and started waving - and then he took off running - and it was fantastic.

My biggest fan - I just love him.

My sister, my niece and Logan were waiting for me and cheering. They had made signs and were jumping up and down. My brother in law, daughter, nephew and other niece, were down the course closer to the finish line waiting. This hug was the perfect fuel to get me through the rest of the race. I took off running toward the finish line and they crossed to the other side and ran along side yelling at me to keep going. I almost yelled at them to shut the hell up at one point, but used my better judgement and just kept running.

My niece picked a flower for me and handed it over as I passed by

I ran, ran as hard as my legs would let me that last .6 miles or so. Those who had already finished were cheering us all on and I just loved it. It's so humbling to have those people stick around and cheer for you - they probably finished 90 minutes earlier, yet they want to help encourage everyone to cross the finish line. As a slow runner - and a new runner - it's one of those things that continues to impress me about the running community and helps my love of running to continue to grow.

As I got closer to the finish line I noticed Becki had slowed way down - almost to a stop. As I approached her she told me to keep running - she wanted me to cross the finish line ahead of her. And I did - but wasn't sure if I met the 3:05 time. I hoped I had, but wasn't sure. I turned after I crossed and hugged Becki - what a wonderful thing she did by waiting just a couple seconds for me. I probably would have cried if I hadn't been so tired. I happily accepted my medal, fist bumped with Steve and walked over to my sister and my family.

Almost to the finish line. My music had stopped, so I pulled my headphones out of my ears - love the Dopey look I'm rocking here.

BOOM! Half-marathon #2 in the books. 9 months after I started running.

I ran up to give my daughter a hug and saw the signs each of the kids made me. We walked over to get some water, food and my printed receipt. That's when I realized I managed to come in at 3:05:53 and I almost cried. It was a PR by more than 28 minutes from PHM (9 minutes if you use the "moving time" my Garmin reported) and I was incredibly proud of myself.

This is a race I will definitely do again - even though I got sick (and I have some new ideas on how to keep that from happening thanks to suggestions from this incredible running community) I really enjoyed this race. The course was beautiful, the people friendly and the experience was awesome. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a half-marathon to do in the area - and I'll be one of the first to sign up as soon as the 2015 registration is open.

I spent a lot of time thinking during this race. I know I will never be the fastest person on the course. I will never come close to winning my age group in any race at any distance. But, I'm lacing up my shoes and I'm walking out the door. I'm crossing the finish line and I'm having fun. And at the end of the day, that is what is most important. I'm proud of myself and accomplishing things I never thought I could - or would. It was during this race I realized that I'm a half-marathoner------ and no one can take that title from me.

Today's Stats:

13.1 miles
3:05:53 minutes
14:17 avg min/mil

4752 out of 4932 total
614 out of 644 F 30-34

My Journey to Half

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

14 in '14 Goal - Update

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Half #2 done - and I Rocked that Parkway