It’s official. I’m an athlete! Of course, that doesn’t mean that I broke any records or medaled in my age group. It does, however, mean that I can run a half marathon and I did! I had three goals for this challenge: keep a good solid pace with no stopping, complete in 2.35 hours and finish with a smile. Nothing else mattered. August 1 marked the big day—over 25,000 runners stepped up to the line to complete Chicago’s Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day—skies were sunny and, even with a chill in the morning air, the temps were perfect for a long run.
The starting line: It was early. When you plan to run 13.1 miles, you don’t want to risk over exhaustion. The early morning weather was perfect. We got to our corral at 5:30 am and at around 7 we were off. Over 25,000 runners participated this year. I’d never been in such a large run. Do we look focused?
Mile 5: We felt good. I was comfortable and Sarah and I were having a great time listening to the bands and people watching. We took advantage of every water station and slowed down when we needed to. The atmosphere was just remarkable. Our support group (boyfriends and fiancés) was waiting at the 5-mile mark, cheering and applauding. It felt so good to see their smiling, proud faces.
Mile 10: This was the mile that was really tough. This is where you (the runner) switch from running with your training in mind, to running with your heart. It started to become a mental challenge for me. My body ached. My hips were sore. I pushed though it. We never walked. We pressed on.
The Finish Line: I’m really sore in this picture but you’d never guess. We all were sore and tired, but it was important for us to finish strong. It was an exhilarating feeling to hear the crowd as we neared the end. The last mile was the toughest mile of my life. I kept trying to make myself pick it up, but my legs were dead. My goal was two hours and 35 minutes, and I finished just 10 minutes shy (bathroom breaks and sore legs were the culprit.) Our smiles were a bit tired at the end, but we were proud!
A special thanks to my running team: Amy C., Robin, Sarah, Barb, Andrea, Abby and Janet. I couldn’t have done this without you. A shout out to Amy B. (our trainer) whose motivation and encouragement was what helped me maintain endurance and focus. You’re tough–but it’s worth it.
To be honest, I’m not sure if can see myself doing another 13-mile distance run again. I know what to expect now and have ideas on how I could improve my training. Maybe I will down the road. Truth is—I don’t consider myself a runner.
So, what’s next for me? Well, something even more challenging (in my eyes) … Beach Body’s INSANITY®. Yes, my friends, I’m taking the Insanity 60-day challenge starting the week after Labor Day weekend. I’m looking to shed off more fat while maintaining muscle mass, strength and endurance. Stay tuned for the journey updates. I’m sure it will be tough.
I hope our journey has inspired you to set a fitness goal. No matter how long or short the journey, the feeling at the finish line is unreal!
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