Tri-ing: 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