What Does It Take to Run 13.1 Miles?
Thanks to Hollie for the encouragement and the idea, I signed up and ran a half marathon this past weekend. It was windy, I got there seconds before the race started and I had to fidget around with Travis' MP3 player while running (which gave me some neck cramping and maybe a near stinger), but it was a great run. I have run this distance many times, but I haven't actually raced this distance since having kids. Leave it to some upbeat music, some packets of GU, and a little training and you get a great run.
To get through the long races, I like to make a game out of passing people. If possible, I use the running strategy my Dad taught me, which is: finish faster than you started. So my first mile was about 8:35 pace. When I get to about mile 7 or 8 I realized I had alot left in me, so I kicked it up a notch. Towards mile 10, I was feeling it in my knees and hips (I had only been training on a treadmill), but with the help of an awesome "Disturbia" remix, I managed to keep plugging away. Only one guy passed me and I tried to catch him, but he was clipping along faster than I was willing to go. So the last quarter mile I gave it my all, passing this guy about my age wearing an all black sweatsuit. I ended up finishing 3rd in my age group and I was shocked. My overall time was 1 hour, 44 minutes, plus a few seconds that I couldn't even be bothered with at the moment.
I thought about alot of things while I was running. How good it felt to not be pregnant and running. How good it felt to not be pushing a heavy jogging stroller. How funny a man's shirt was that said, "Run like a God." In a way, running makes you feel like a god. A god because you conquer the weakness of your body and you endure in strength. And those endorphins probably help too.
At any rate, it felt good to finish something I started merely hours before (unlike child-rearing where the results come years, maybe lifetimes later). I love the feeling after a run where the sweat is dripping off of you and your body aches and you know you've tried your best. Then you eat bagels and bananas and life goes on just as it had before.
11 comments:
WOW! That is amazing - congrats!
You are keeping me motivated - you are an inspiration - I just started running - will do a 10k race in May and hope to do a half in Sept.
Wow! Way to go Sarah! That's awesome!
seriously you are amazing. That is so cool that you ran a half marathon and did so well!
WOw! You are AMAZING!!! I am so impressed!
Recently I've wanted to run a half marathon or something, but I can't--breathing issues. That is awesome though! I'm so impressed! And isn't it amazing what music can do to help keep you going?
Incredible! Way to go once again.
You are a champ!! I have to agree, that covered in sweat feeling is amazing!
I'm so impressed...congrats!!!
June 27th, come to Seattle and run the Rock N Roll Marathon with me. Just a few minutes faster and you might qualify for Boston or NY! SB
Sarah! I'm am so impressed with you - you never cease to amaze me :) Way to go, you really should be so very proud of yourself. Also as a side note - if you're running that much I really think it's fine to eat as much cake as you'd like!
I Just realized yesterday that you had probably already run your race! So, I quickly checked your blog (I am the worst at keeping up on others' blogs). Then I felt bad that I did NOT ask you about it on Friday! I"m a flake! I watch you run at the gym and admit that I have even peaked at your speed! Ha ha! I am so impressed and so glad that I have someone like you to inspire me! Way to go! Are you going to do a marathon with Hollie later this year?
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