Emily is miffed at me cuz I didn't tell her until last night that I was running a 1/2 marathon this morning.
I'm at work right now and have been here late all week. I didn't want anyone to feel obligated to come since I wouldn't be much fun with all the work I need to do. And watching long runs are pretty boring.
So yes, I ran 13.2 miles this morning after all of 7 weeks of training. I wasn't getting out swimming or biking (too much effort apparently), I needed a goal for my exercising, and this was a pretty low-key race so I chose it. Melissa, her mother, and her sister all did it last year and told me it was really nice.
They also told me there was the big hill, but it wasn't that bad and the area was beautiful.
I chose to ignore the "big hill" part of that sentence and focus on the "wasn't that bad".
Every hill we went up (it was an out and back) I thought to myself that maybe this is the hill they were talking about.... then the road went DOWN into the valley and I knew the truth of the BIG hill.
I bet it was more than 12% grade.
Yes, I walked back up it. When the going gets tough, the Melanie slows down. This is why I can recover quickly after my events... I don't actually ever push myself.
My original time goal was 2:30 but after trying a "long run" (just over 7 miles) one Saturday my goal changed to "I hope I can finish", although I was hoping for under 3 hrs. I did it in about 2:43! Pretty proud of myself.
Now I am dead tired (I never sleep when I'm nervous/excited) and pretty sore (I need new running shoes but didn't want to get them right before the race), but I have a medal and that's all I care about right now.
Go me!
PS. They only had 3 porta pottys there at the beginning for ALL the runners. I didn't want to wait in line for 30 minutes since the race started in 20 minutes so I figured I'd go out on the course (this race included a full marathon, 50 miles, and 100 miles so they had porta pottys out there for them) but unfortunately everyone else had that idea too. I kept telling myself I'd stop at the next one since there was always a line... even at the end. Boy was I ever glad to get home I can tell you!
PPS. It started out SO COLD and then got hot and windy. For the last couple miles I could barely hear my book on tape. Dumb changing weather.
PPPS. I don't have any pictures, but I'll post something once the race puts some up.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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10 comments:
Yeah for you!! Congrats on running a half marathon that is awesome. Now you have to start training for a full marathon. I can't believe you didn't tell Emily either I bet she was mad.
You listened to a book on tape during your half marathon? Karl and I are laughing out loud right now. You are so funny! I love your stories and I am soooo proud of you for running a 1/2, a hard one at that it sounds like. Most of the ones in Utah are pretty much all downhill. Lame, I know. I had been wondering what the long training run was for that you mentioned in one of your posts. Now I know! Way to go, Melanie!
What the what? I did not realize it was today. What a bad friend I am. I would have come to cheer you in Emily's absence but I was busy selling my useless junk to unsuspecting people.
You get a very big gold star on your forehead. Way to go girlie.
Your race description did nothing but make me glad I wasn't running. My half marathon days are dead and gone!
With that said---any tips for training for a tri? Especially the swimming?
We are so very proud of you! Who knew that our Melanie born with a purse on one arm and a doll in the other would run a 1/2 marathon. Chalk up one more first for you.
wow ... yea .. i really want to run now ... hmmm ... i think i'll stick to my bellydancing!
a big WOO-HOO to you!
U R Awesome!
For the record I think that any one that runs more than a mile is crazy and one that says a 1/2 marathon is "low-key" is just kookoo, BUT I'm super proud of you. Way to go!!!
Way to hold it! Maybe it was that thrilling book on tape that distracted you from how bad you really had to go!
Ok so I have though about each monring as I have been lying in bed dealing with over powering allergies thinknig, she's there running and training for her next race, and I am still in bed. Then I roll back over and go back to sleep for another hour. I have been working out later in the day, allergies just make it near impossible in the mornings. Great job on your race though!
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