Runners post race reports on forums and blogs, so here's what I remember.
Pre-race prep
My husband woke us up at 4:50 am. I actually slept through the night, which is extremely unusual for me. I took my time getting ready but couldn't eat much. Had my coffee and half a bagel. You are supposed to eat early so your food digests before you run, and you want to drink, but not too close to race time or you'll spend the rest of the morning before the race in the portapotty line. I was pretty nervous so I stayed away from everyone. My in-laws woke up and started to get ready. My father in law was dropping us off at the hotel where my running group was meeting us.
We both had a few trips to the bathroom and then we were ready to go. No, wait, my husband ran back to the bathroom and we waited. And waited. I started to get really anxious. I wanted to meet my running group and find my running partner. Finally he got out and I said let's go! I thought he'd be in there forever!
We got downtown and hopped out of the car. Then we noticed that the directions we gave my father in law to get back home would not be helpful at all as they were routing cars directly away from the roads he needed. My husband ran back to the car and tried to give him some new directions but we were pretty sure he'd get lost. No matter, we had a race to run.
We parted at the doors to the hotel and my husband went to his swanky pre-race meeting place with his runner forum buddies. I went inside and upstairs to where my team was meeting and found about 40 people milling about and stretching and lining up for the bathroom. I found one of my running friends and we talked. I stood in line for the bathroom. Then I finally found my running partner.
This is a pretty funny story. I have been running with this particular woman for at least two months, and I didn't remember her name. By race time it was too late to ask her name - that would be even more embarassing. Anyway, I found her and we went over to her husband. She introduces me - "This is the person I've been running with." That's it! She didn't know my name either. I held out my hand and said, "I'm Beth, nice to meet you."
We eventually got outside where it was a little chilly. I had on a singlet (no sleeves) and shorts but I knew it would serve me well when the sun came up. We handed our bags over to be put in a truck that our running group had made available. This was a really nice thing to have - they took our bags to the finish line so I had my things right after I finished.
We then made our way through the THRONG of runners and discovered we could stay warm amongst all the bodies. It got chillier as we made our way to the back of the line and fewer people were there. The walkers started an hour earlier so those of us in the back were it - the slow people. The penguins. Helicopters flew overhead. The mayor made a speech. Then we were off. We jogged a foot, and then stopped. We jogged again. Then we walked. It actually took a few minutes before we made it to the start. We finally got to the starting line and we were ready to roll!
The race
We kept a steady 11-12 minute/mile pace, stopping at water stations to rehydrate, take a break, and down some Gu (espresso love is my fav). I felt so good, I was giddy. The pain in my legs was nothing like it had been last week. I felt a mild burn in my shins but nothing I couldn't handle. I clapped and cheered with the crowd, and danced past the bands and the music. I gave a whoohoo to the kids who were cheering. I guess it was the endorphins and just being part of such an incredible experience that made me so happy and acting so crazy.
We ran right past the Governor's mansion and there he was, Governor Strickland, cheering us on. I told my running partner - that's my boss! I had to explain he's my ultimate boss, but there are lots of bosses between him and me. Still, it was cool.
I was careful to space out my Gu and my Gatorade so I wouldn't get sick. I felt really queasy at the end of my last half marathon, and I knew it was partly due to all the sugar I had had. So this time I was smarter about it. Training with the running team really helped. I learned a lot about how to keep yourself hydrated and keep your energy.
At some point in the race I finally found out the name of my partner - she was telling me some story about someone cheering her on and she said her name - "Alright Nancy!" Aha! Nancy!
Nancy told me around mile 8 she didn't feel like talking because she was tired. She didn't mind me talking but I wasn't supposed to expect her to answer. I was feeling great. I was tired, and my legs hurt a little more, but I knew I could keep going. I just kept chatting and chatting. I was probably pretty annoying.
Around mile 10 or 11 we came up to a water stop and Nancy said she was going to walk through and take a break. I knew the end was in sight, and although I was tired, my legs were numb and I still had the crazy endorphin buzz. In April, I hadn't felt nearly as good as this. I think the steady pace, and my training, really helped this time. I also had in the back of my mind my previous time and although my ultimate goal was to finish and feel good, I really really wanted to beat my time. So I told Nancy I was going to take off after the water stop - I hope she realized I meant to leave her, cause that's what I did. Apparently the "race tracker" online was predicting a 2:37 finish, but I picked up my pace at the end after I left Nancy. I knew I was almost done. I saw the Riffe Tower - a very tall building downtown that is right next to my office, and I knew I just had to run up High Street and turn the corner and I would be at the finish. I was in familiar territory and the end was in sight.
The only problem I had was dodging walkers. Not just walkers, but run/walkers. These people run and then stop and walk for a minute then run again. I am totally in support of this approach but not when they stop in front of me and I have to run past them only to have them catch up and do it again.
As I turned the corner from High to Nationwide, and the finish line was in sight at the bottom of the hill, I was weaving back and forth past weary runners and a lot of walkers. I even ran into the "Couch Potatoes". I was quite annoyed with it all. I kept thinking, "There's the finish line, people! Can't you move yourselves a little faster, downhill, with the finish line a few feet away????" I broke free and had a wide open space to the finish line. Right before I crossed I heard shouts - "Beth! Beth!" It was my inlaws, and my kids, cheering me on. (my father in law made it home, and back downtown!) I raised my arms in a victory cheer and said "whoohoo!" across the finish line. Then I quickly regrouped and found the photographer. I stared at the camera with the biggest smile and my best running pose. Then I headed for the medals! I picked up a bagel and some water and just moved in slow motion through the crowd. A friend called out to me from the fence and I yelled, "I did it!" and she gave me a hug.
Later, my in-laws just shook their heads as they waited patiently for my husband and me to catch up to them in the parking lot. We were really far behind and were just starting to tighten up. It was a long walk to the car.
What a rush! I remember why I love running so much. I had the best time and I did great. My shin hurt more than ever before, and it still does, but it doesn't matter. It was worth it. And the HUGE banana split I tried to finish last night was the best treat ever.
Today right next to my office door someone put up my race stats and had written on the paper, "Congrats, Beth!" I hobbled into my office, sat down and smiled. I kept my tennis shoes on all day but managed to get around pretty well. I showed off my medal and shared my stories.
I'm sure my euphoria is nothing compared to my husband's. A BQ is a huge deal. But that's his story to tell. We are all very proud of him.
A few weeks off and it will be time to train for the spring half marathon. And maybe, just maybe, there's a marathon in my future in October. Just don't tell my shins!
No comments:
Post a Comment