Pain in the Asphalt

After many athletic endeavors over the last three years or so I can finally say that today I accomplished something I doubted I ever could. I ran my first Half Marathon! Possibly my last, depending on the development of my current aches and pains over the next few days.

The biggest lesson I learned today was that I need to train a lot more for long distance races. I've been told if you can run 10 miles, you can run 13. While I believe that it is in fact possible it is most definitely not advisable. I should also mention that I stretched this notion by thinking 9 miles is basically the same as 10, so if I can run 9 I should be able to run 13.1. Not the greatest logic as my barely  functioning legs can attest.

I have always wondered why some days are good running days and some leave you struggling to finish 2 miles. I can never seem to figure out what factors into those rare good days, and today it would have been helpful. At the two mile marker I was already trying to ignore pain in my groin and feet. Normally I get a break on the aches and pains until at least mile 5. By mile 8 I was just telling myself to get to 9 because I knew I could. Every minute of every mile afterwards either found me hobbling up hills, wishing for water stations, maneuvering steeply slanted roads and just in general avoiding becoming marathon roadkill. All this while a raging battle to walk or keep running was being fought between my common sense and will power. I'm happy to report will power won out and I ran the entire race. Unfortunately having poorly prepared for this race my body took a beating and I can honestly say, I've never had to fight through so much pain in a race before. From my lower back to the bottom of my feet everything hurts. I have been picking my legs up with my hands to lift my foot up high enough to climb stairs. It's a bit dramatic I know, but I feel it's necessary until my groin decides to reconnect my left leg to my body.

It wasn't all pain and no fun though, there were a lot of people and huge cheering sections. As I've never been to Philadelphia it was an interesting way to see the city and there was a lot of interesting architecture, statues, parks and of course the Rocky Steps! We had a great post race sandwich at the Reading Terminal Market and a nice dinner at Maggianos. I really liked the shirts we got for this race but the medals could be a bit more interesting... but I suppose the point is to run and meet your goal not get a medal, but it' still a perk :)

Angela finished 2:24:59 and I finished 2:21:31

My longest run thus far was 9 miles and hers was 7... I'd say we did pretty well considering!

Kris finished the Marathon in 4:09:00 even with the killer second half!

And Dan was there to cheer us on, all in all a good weekend!

Mind over Milage

I woke up this morning in a less than pleasant mood, anxious over a long run I was pretty sure would be torturous. After taking a short afternoon snooze to attempt to clear my head I finally dragged myself out into the brisk 42 degree windy day and began my run. At first I thought maybe I would cut corners and run a shorter route if I wasn't feeling up to my lofty goal of 9 miles. There were many points that I thought about the short cuts and slowing to walk but I forced myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other and get the run over with. I ran what I thought was slightly slower than my normal pace and at about 5.5 miles I think a bit of runner's high hit me as I imagined myself coasting through the finish line at the Philly Half. Then miles 7-9 I got a reality check as my knees feet and right Achilles began protesting while my right arm slowly started going numb. Luckily I had Honey Stingers to distract myself and managed to find two working water fountains along the way. By the time I hit the last half mile I knew that this race is going to hurt and probably be the hardest physical challenge yet (and that's saying something since the flyer). As I gave myself a preemptive pat on the back for finishing my first ever 9 mile run I hobbled into the house to see that it had taken me an hour and 45 minutes... much slower than I had hoped. At least I know I can do 9... this half will take me 2:35:00 at my current pace. My goal had been 2:15... I'll have to reassess I suppose... finishing might just be enough for me!

Listening to: Now is the Start/ A Fine Frenzy