My first Half Marathon, In Pictures

It was my first (and possibly only) half marathon yet I was rather strategic in my planning.

First of all I chose a location that would be pretty to look at while running and fun to re-cooperate at following the race.

Running the first Mile as the sun rose up over the Ocean!

 

Many of the 13.1 miles involve running under moss covered Oaks.

Next I invited a buddy who likes to take pictures so I could have documentation of the event. It also helped that she loves the beach making it easier to endure all my talk about racing and crazy pre-race preparation.  

Tammy, my travel buddy and a fabulous photographer

I spent the past three months training. I found a training buddy, actually she found me when she startled me on one of my runs.  Haley helped me push myself to go faster and longer when I didn't want to.  After some of our runs, I decreased my original target time. Therefore I set my I pod for a 2 hour and 30 minute run. I wore my running hat (John Deere because nothing runs like a deer) and followed the crowd.

And then I just ran and ran and ran and ran.  I had fun the first few miles and spent the last 10 swearing I would never do such a run again.  Truthfully all of my strategically planned music and the scenery didn't mean quite as much as I thought it would. I was just trying to get to the finish line without dying! And 13.1 miles later, I did!

Grateful for Tammy who captured my success for all to see.

Then I begged for water and a place to sit swearing this was my one and only half marathon. Pretty soon, the reward of it all began to kick in!   I got my finisher medal.  I realized that I had basically met my goal having run it in 2 hours 30 minutes and 55 seconds (gun time). Chip time was only 13 seconds! I was tenth out of 17 in the 45-49 age female category.  I was the 208 finisher out of 296. All what I consider respectable.  My college roommate's husband and  neighbor ran the half marathon as well.  Their families ran the 5K. It was Melissa (the roommate's) first 5K.  She was at the 13 mile mark of my race waiting for me.  I had not seen her in years and it was really sweet to have her take my hand and run the last .1 with me.  It was fun to visit with her and her family for a while after the race.

David(the neighbor), Me and Billy (Melissa's husband)

It was pointed out at some point that I was telling anybody who would listen that I was running a half marathon.  It is true.  I did want people to know.  I realized that this run was very significant for me. See most of my life I have considered myself a NON-athlete and a "quit when it gets hard" kind of gal.  Running consistently  for two and a half hours  covering 13.1 miles pretty much proves both of those beliefs as being false. And I wanted everyone to know.  However I did NOT wear my medal to the beach, dinner or even breakfast the next day as I witnessed other participants to do.

Exhausted put very proud of me!

I planned this half marathon to be my one and only.  That thought was confirmed adamantly during the last 10 miles of the race and the two days following.  But I confess that there are now thoughts of attempting another one (in another fun and flat location) floating around in my head!