The difference between try and triumph is a little umph. 

~Author Unknown

I did it!!!!! I finished my first official half marathon!  I have to say that the Diva race was a great choice.  Normally I am not a fan of courses that loop back. However, in this case, it created a great cheering section every time the Divas went by each other.  I also totally needed that mood boost with the tiara and feather boa at the end of mile 11.  (Even Randi, who thought it was stupid silly initially, admitted she was thrilled to get hers by that point)  It was SUCH AN AMAZING experience! I would recommend it to anyone!  The staff, spectators, and volunteers were all wonderful.  Just in case you’re still on the fence- there were hot, half-naked firemen handing out the medals at the finish line followed by people to give you champagne and roses…

Initially my far-reaching goal was to finish in 2:30- so that if I had the crazy inkling to sign up for The Pike’s Peak Ascent, I could.  The start was pretty slow due to all the people who lined up way in front and then proceeded to walk or jog at a painfully slow pace (clock blocking=pet pieve).  It took most of the first mile to get out where I could run at my pace.  They had a marker with a clock at every mile (I loved it!) and by mile one I was at 10 min.  I was completely stoked, but I wondered if I’d be able to maintain it.  By mile two I was at 18 minutes.  AWESOME!  I wasn’t even pushing hard.  It felt completely natural.  Mile three the marker was at 24 min, and when I hit mile 4 and was still turning out 8 minute miles I was completely overflowing with excitement.

I don’t run fast.  I used to, but it was years ago.  Even then, I was a middle of the pack runner.  I can’t remember the last time I ran a mile in 8 min flat, let alone the 6 minute miles I used to do.  I couldn’t believe I sustaining this pace, and that I felt GOOD.  I pushed through miles 5, 6, and 7 still holding strong.  I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY when I looked at the clock at mile 7 and it was just over an hour!  I was in disbelief.  I realized if I continued at that pace, I would finish in under 2 hours!

However, by mile 8, I was starting to hurt and getting tired.  I hit the wall at mile 9 and stayed there the rest of the race.  I was miserable- but nowhere near as miserable as I had been in training.  There was no searing pain, no limping, no numbness.  I wanted to walk desperately, but I couldn’t allow myself.  I wanted to run the whole thing.  I wanted to do my best.  Most of all, I would have killed myself if I walked and missed the 2:30 mark.  The clocks for the miles after 8 were all messed up, so I had no idea if I was on pace or not. I had a pretty good idea I was way off by how much longer the miles seemed to stretch and how many people were passing me.  I wasn’t sure how much I had slowed, or whether I created enough of a buffer to make my goal.   When I saw the finish line (FINALLY!!!) and the clock read 2:07- I was shocked and thrilled.  I literally couldn’t believe it!  I ran through the nausea, headache, back pain, and fatigue, and, in the end, annihilated my goal!!!!  I couldn’t believe I ran that fast!!!!  My official time was 2:06.  I think it was an impressive performance even by Adam’s standard.

Randi finished at 2:39:30, which was pretty remarkable given she had injured her toe only a week before and wasn’t sure if she’d be able to run at all.  I was so proud of her!  I had even made a charm bracelet for each of us  to commemorate our first big race.  She was so thrilled with hers!  She said it helped her push through to the finish because she really wanted to have earned it.  I know she hated me through most of it for coercing her into do it, but I am confident she will thank me at some point. lol

The best part about all of this is that I have raised almost $150 so far for CT-ALIVE.  Given that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I would strongly encourage everyone to consider donating or checking out some other ways to help raise awareness about Domestic Abuse.

As always, thank you for reading.  Comments and feedback are always welcome and appreciated.  Have a great day everyone!!!

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