ING Half-Marathon report

This won’t be short – you’ve been warned – since I want to capture this down for me.

On Saturday night, after dinner, I was running up and down the stairs trying to get all my stuff together for the morning.  But I was tired – I wanted to go to bed right then and there.  But I stuck to it and got my race clothes out, gear bag together, nutrition and water set out, and anything else I needed.  One issue was (a) how cold was it going to be and what should I wear, and (b) which shoes to wear, given my knee soreness.

Sunday morning came early – I know I woke before my alarm.  I decided to go with all the layers – compression shirt, a 2nd long-sleeve technical shirt over that, tights, gloves, and felt had that had covered my ears.  I don’t do well with cold wind in my ears.  I went downstairs and as I was getting the rest of my stuff together, I realized I forgot to put my contacts in!  I wasn’t going to get very far without my contacts!  Shortly after, my friend, S, was in the driveway, waiting for me.  We went to the train station – and it was cold waiting for the train.  The train we wanted never showed, so we took the next one.  We were at the first stop, and once we left, all the seats were already taken!  I am so glad we went to the first stop, so I could sit and not start making myself worried.  We had several more stops to go, and more and more people got on.  It made me more excited for the race, seeing everyone get on the train, all heading to the same place, all with the plan of running 13.1 or 26.2 miles!

There were at least 2 stops where we could’ve gotten off – we got to the first one, and about 90% of the racers got off.  We went to the next stop and got off – and still followed the rest of the crowd and made it to the park.  First stop – gear check.  Which really was a tent where you dropped your bag.  Next stop – port-o-pots.  We found some and waited – while waiting, the star spangled banner was sung, and then the wheel chair racers were off.  We had 10 minutes til start time for us! 

After bathroom stop, we head towards the start.  There were tons of people, everywhere.  I was trying to get us back to corrals 4 & 5, but we didn’t get that far.  We were maybe in the 2nd corral, with the 3:30 marathon pacers!!!  We got caught in the crowd and couldn’t make our way further back, so we just stood and waited.  Not long after, the guy says “ready, set, go” – so off we went.

We started off walking til we hit the mat.  Maybe 2-3 minutes.  Then once we hit the mat, we started running.  There were people everywhere.  And more people in front of us!  I was trying to pace S & myself  – I have a Garmin 305, which I wore.  I think S has only a heart rate monitor – so it doesn’t tell pace.  We both have problems with starting off too fast.  The pace on the Garmin was acting up – we didn’t change our pace, and it went from 14 min/miles to 7 min/miles.  I think that’s because we were downtown in the midst of several buildings.  Once we got out of downtown, it seemed to work itself out.  I did do well with pacing the first mile – got us to 11 minutes.  I stayed with S for a few more tenths of a mile, and then he was off – bye bye S, I hope you have a good race!  He was running his first marathon.

As I’m running, people are passing me.  I pass people, too.  We hit a bridge and watch the sun rise over the skyline – that might’ve been the only time I noticed the sun.  I just keep on running with the crowds – taking it all in.  Some people are running with friends – those who are, seem the most excited and chatty – and some are running by themselves, like I was.  As I look around, I notice a guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt, with no sleeves.  He looks familiar.  I shout out a name, and sure enough, it was my old roommate!  I have not seen him in at least 3 years!  He had no bib number, no timer, but he was still out there running.  He said a friend had it, but he never found his friend.  I have no idea how he did.  And like S, he took off and left me to people watching and chugging along.

Between miles 2 & 4 (not quite sure where), I started feeling hot.  I was feeling like I was over dressed.  And I figured I would just deal with it.  I prefer to be hot than cold, anyways.  Even though it was COLD out (for my blood, at least), I think being amongst the crowds waiting to start, and then actually running, warmed me up.  Later I would not be having those thoughts.

It was great to see all the people out – there were lots of people out watching and cheering us on, even though they were not part of a hydration stop or an official cheering section.  The cheerers would just be out lining the streets and in front of their houses, holding signs, making noise, and just cheering.  Kudos to them – we at least got to move, they were standing there in mid-40s weather with winds.  However, the did have some great signs that made me smile, and even laugh.

A few times, early on in the run, I started getting emotional.  Real early, I looked down and saw a GU packet on the ground, which got me thinking – I am actually doing this.  And that made me start to tear up.  A GU packet, of all things.  Then we hit one of the first hydration or cheering stations – it was 65 roses, which I believe is a CF group.  And that made me tear up a little – not sure why.  Then we hit the Lupus foundation – I think they were actually a hydration station – and seeing them made me tear up.  Not as much as seeing the woman running with a 65 roses shirt one, to which she added “Running for my daughter Alana” – boy, that almost turned on all the water works.  I don’t know why these all made me start to tear up, but they did.  I was fine after that! 

So I was just cruising along, getting close to mile 7, which is where the half and full marathon split.  I had to make sure to listen and pay attention so I would only be doing 13.1 miles instead of 26.2 miles!    I made my turn and was going through the Highlands.  We took a left at Virgina Avenue.  For some reason, I was on the left side of the road.  As I’m looking at the crowds, I see a friend that I knew was in town!  So I veered to the right side of the road, ran up to him, and gave him a high-5.  I think I surprised him at that point!  It was great, and funny, to see him, as I didn’t expect to see him there.  So we’re running on Virginia, heading to Piedmont park.  As we’re going through the neighborhoods, I was thinking that I felt good, so I ignored my watch telling me I was going too fast!  I was just chugging along, feeling good, and enjoying the moment, so I went with it.  And I don’t really recall any hills, so that’s probably why I was just going with it.  We hit Piedmont park – and Mizuno was sponsoring that hydration station.  That was the only time I slowed down – I hit the water, grabbed a few cups, filled up my water bottle, and then kept on going!  After that, mentally and physically, it was tough.

Shortly after leaving the park, we saw the crowd from Grady HS.  The cheerleaders were out cheering, which was great, and they had some fun music playing!  That kept me going.  But I tell ya, I was getting tired.  But I just kept on going.  And going.  And going.  I think sometime after mile 11, I see a guy on the left side, with a camera, by himself.  Looks like someone else I know, so I well his name.  He looked over, I said it was me and waved, and kept on going.  I think I surprised him, too!  And I just kept on going.  And hit the hills, and ran along.  When we hit mile 12, I knew we were close.  I told myself – only 12 more minutes.  Those were the L-O-N-G-E-S-T minutes of my life.  I just kept running.  I was afraid to look at my watch.  My legs hurt.  My back hurt.  But I kept on running.  I was afraid if I looked at my watch, it would take me forever to get to the finish, so I just ignored it.

During that last stretch, I saw someone on the corner getting medical attention.  A couple minutes later, I heard sirens, thinking it was the ambulance.  Someone near me looked over his shoulder, and announced the Kenyans were coming.  I knew I’d finish among the fastest marathoners, but didn’t know where they were.  Well, there they were.  The first guy came by – and it was like he was gliding.  Long strides, moving fast.  I heard he even ran faster than his escort at the finish line!  And there he went.  And then the 2nd place guy came by, passing us, too.  Man, these guys are fast.  So because of this, I like to say that I almost beat the Kenyans!  ha ha

And then I saw the finish line.  I heard the announcer say that those finishing in 2:25 were coming in.  I finally saw the clock and picked up some speed, wanting to beat 2:25.  I finally crossed the line, and held my hands up!  YES – I did it.  I waited a few minutes to hit my watch – I did not want a finish line picture of me looking down and hitting my watch!  As I was hitting my watch, I heard my name, and found my wonderful husband!  He made it down there, got a good spot after the finish line, and was able to find me!  (He also said he took pics of any red head he saw because he didn’t know what I was wearing – cute, huh?)  I then got my medal and heat wrap, and eventually found Greg again!

I was happy to be done.  I was happy that I did it.  Afterwards we hung around to get my stuff, I tried to stretch a little, got my picture taken with the backdrop (I think that is on the previous post), got a little nourishment, and then we went home.  If it had not been as cold as it was, I might have stayed a little longer, just taking it all in.  But it was cold.  And I don’t like the cold! 

So that’s it – my first half marathon, with all the details!  I would definitely do this distance again.  I don’t have any in mind, as of now, but I know there are a few in the fall in Atlanta, which I’ll keep in the back of my mind.  Unfortunately for a few weeks, no running   I have runner’s knee, and since I don’t have any races planned, for at least a month , I’m going to let that heal, so I can continue running!