Rockin' My First Half Marathon

About 6 months ago I made the decision to run the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll half marathon. I've been a runner half my life and figured it was time to run my first race. The thought made me nervous. Not because I didn't think I couldn't do it but because I would be running with 26,000 people. For someone who runs by herself to running with a ridiculous amount of bodies makes a person feel a little anxious. Like I might need a Xanax anxious. After I paid my entry fee and hit enter I thought holy shit I really have to do this. For reals this time.

Two years ago I was training to run the Portland marathon and three weeks before the race injured my knee and was unable to even walk it. Feeling defeated I stayed cleared of any races. I was advised to not run for three months which made me frustrated. However, I learned a lot about my potential and how far I can push my body and mind.

I seriously trained three months prior to the half. I started seeing a Physical Therapist to help get my body to perform to it's best ability. My body was responding well and I was feeling good about it. Then in April I got seriously sick with strep throat, a double ear infection and a sinus infection which held up my training for three weeks. It sucked. Luckily once I got back on the band wagon it didn't take long to resume where I had left off. 5 miles here 10 miles there I was running well with an average pace of 8:45.

Then it happened.

The one thing I was most fearful of. Injury.

Two weeks before the event.

Why? Why me?

A pulled hamstring. Not the worst of them but enough to slow you down. I was happy to know that I could still run although uncomfortable I could run! After a few therapeutic massages and the use of some crazy ultrasound therapy machine from my PT I was as good as I was going to get. Not 100% but good enough.

Since the race started at 7am we decided that it might be best to stay at a hotel as oppose to drive an hour in the morning. Smart move. As we got settled into our room butterflies started to kick in. I was both really excited and nervous.

June 25, 2011 4am

I'm awake. My mind is clear. Or actually freaking out. I can't tell the difference. But I'm ready. Funny thing was was that going into this all I cared about was having a great finish time. But once I got there my thought process changed. I wanted to have a great experience and a memorable one. I wanted to absorb what was currently happening and enjoy it.

Upon arriving at the start line at 5am I was overwhelmed by people everywhere. Thank God most of them looked like they were thinking the same thing I was

It's really f*cking cold.

It's cold 5am in Seattle. And I still had 2 more hours to kill. A few walks past the same person sitting on the curb eating their banana and bagel and making about 27 pit stops to the loo it was time to go.

Do I have time because I think I need to vomit.

Corral 7 in the back somewhere was me. As I crossed the start line I set my Garmin and was rocking out to Britney. I warmed up fairly quickly and had a pretty good pace. I was feeling like a champ passing people and skipping the first two water stations. It was pretty crazy with all the people around. There were people bumping me to get past and I got stuck behind slower runners with no way out. 26,000 people is A LOT of people. Crossing the 5k mark at 26:26 with a pace of 8:37 felt good. I knew ahead there was an elevation climb and all of a sudden I had to pee. Seriously? This never happens but I better go or else it won't be pretty later. Feeling relieved I started off again and didn't really feel the hills. Or so I thought. Coming downhill on mile 5 and onto Lake Washington I crossed the 10k mark at 54:54 with a pace of 8:50. A little slower but still making good time. As I crossed that point I could see the I-90 bridge and it was really freakin' far. I mean like HOLY SHIT far. I'm not even halfway there but my feet kept moving.

One thing I have yet to accomplish is drinking while running. This was not part of my training regimen and I wish it was because the runners that could run, grab a cup, drink and toss it aside are super cool. They're "real" runners unlike me the lame ones who have to come to a complete stop to sip water otherwise I might as well enter in a wet t-shirt contest. I'll admit I tried and felt like foolish amateur. Good thing my shirt was black!

And don't ask me about the bands playing. I had my IPod in my ears listening to JLo. I'm sure they were fantastic and I saw people waving at them. Once again in my attempt to be cool I waved a hang loose sign when I meant to throw them a rock out hand sign. At least I was recognizing their presence. I need to give a shout out to all the volunteers. Thank you for always having a drink ready for me saying encouraging things I couldn't hear.

I crossed mile 9 at 1:23:43 pace of 9:18. Something about the long flat stretch to the bridge was slow moving. However, it was at mile 9 that my hamstring started to give me problems. I had 4 more miles to go and was upset by this set back. Mile 11 was when my IT Band started to affect my knee. It slowed me down considerably but my mind had to stay on top of it so that I could finish. The last 3/4 miles was brutal and apparently it was clear that I was in pain because another runner came up behind me and gave me an encouraging pat on the back. It was all I needed to finish.

According to the chip time I finished in 2:05:31 with a pace of 9:34 but my Garmin had me finish a 13.27 race with a time of 2:01:07 with a pace of 9:14. That potty break didn't take that long. I swear!

Even though the last leg of it was a struggle I enjoyed every moment. Crossing that finish line was somewhat emotional for me. For the first time in a long time I accomplished something for myself. And to be part of something so big felt awesome. I am definitely going to do it again next year and beat my time but I also look forward to many more races and challenges.