My cell phone alarm went off at 4:15 yesterday morning just before my dear friend, Jen, came barreling through the door to her guest room and jumped on the bed. With me in it. It was time to make final preparations for our half-marathon.
We dressed in layers, mixed our electrolyte drinks, and slammed down some coffee as we waited for the ice to thaw on the windshield. It was cold...so cold, in fact, that my toes were completely numb and I could not feel my ass. I was so glad I had not shaved my legs for a few days because I needed every last bit of extra layering I could get.
I had no idea what to expect. This was not only my first half-marathon; it was also the longest distance I had ever run. My longest run has been 6.2 miles. A half-marathon is 13.1 miles. That's a huge distance in the running world. I had fully intended to complete a 10 mile run like my training schedule listed, but life got in the way, and it just never happened.
But I'm a woman of my word, and I said I run this race. So I did.
I followed the Galloway plan of running for 4 minutes and walking for 1 minute as I listened to my iPod and took in the sights of Gainesville. It was a beautiful course that wound through downtown, tree-lined residential areas, and the University of Florida campus (including the football stadium).
It was also surprisingly easy. Even the hilly section was completely do-able. I hit my stride around mile 6 and did well until I developed a massive headache around mile 10 that stayed with me until almost the end.
My collection of Pearl Jam (with a few odds and ends thrown in) was the perfect companion for the run. I actually listened to music for most of the way, especially Pearl Jam's "Rearview Mirror" (the song). One of my favorite people recommended it for the run, and it was so appropriate that I listened to it from mile 10 to mile 12.
I know that not everyone likes running, but I'm telling you that there is something about it that just works for me. I like proving that I can do something. I like competing with only myself. I like the solitude of my feet pounding the pavement. I like the feeling that I can do ANYTHING.
It's not lost on me that not only did I complete my longest run every, but I finished the race with 42 minutes to spare. I'm still in shock over that one. What started out as a silly exercise in my yard has turned into what I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments.
Wow.
We dressed in layers, mixed our electrolyte drinks, and slammed down some coffee as we waited for the ice to thaw on the windshield. It was cold...so cold, in fact, that my toes were completely numb and I could not feel my ass. I was so glad I had not shaved my legs for a few days because I needed every last bit of extra layering I could get.
I had no idea what to expect. This was not only my first half-marathon; it was also the longest distance I had ever run. My longest run has been 6.2 miles. A half-marathon is 13.1 miles. That's a huge distance in the running world. I had fully intended to complete a 10 mile run like my training schedule listed, but life got in the way, and it just never happened.
But I'm a woman of my word, and I said I run this race. So I did.
I followed the Galloway plan of running for 4 minutes and walking for 1 minute as I listened to my iPod and took in the sights of Gainesville. It was a beautiful course that wound through downtown, tree-lined residential areas, and the University of Florida campus (including the football stadium).
It was also surprisingly easy. Even the hilly section was completely do-able. I hit my stride around mile 6 and did well until I developed a massive headache around mile 10 that stayed with me until almost the end.
My collection of Pearl Jam (with a few odds and ends thrown in) was the perfect companion for the run. I actually listened to music for most of the way, especially Pearl Jam's "Rearview Mirror" (the song). One of my favorite people recommended it for the run, and it was so appropriate that I listened to it from mile 10 to mile 12.
I know that not everyone likes running, but I'm telling you that there is something about it that just works for me. I like proving that I can do something. I like competing with only myself. I like the solitude of my feet pounding the pavement. I like the feeling that I can do ANYTHING.
It's not lost on me that not only did I complete my longest run every, but I finished the race with 42 minutes to spare. I'm still in shock over that one. What started out as a silly exercise in my yard has turned into what I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments.
Wow.
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