So as many of you know I ran my first half marathon last Saturday, February 15. The race was original set for Feb. 8 but was rescheduled due to ice and snow. I have been training for this race for four months now. I just want to share some highlights of the race and hope to give some encouragement to others who might want to start running.
The half marathon course was located at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge which is five minutes from my house. The name of the race was Fly With The Eagles Half Marathon. It was a beautiful course. No traffic, just trees and wildlife. I didn’t see any eagles other than the guy pictured above wearing an eagle costume (yes, he ran in it) but I did see a bunch of seagulls and a deer even ran a tenth of a mile in front of me.
The start of the race was a little chilly to say the least. I think the actually temperature was 18 but felt like 7 degrees. My hands and feet were definitely froze. At least the sun was out! I got to chat with a friend of my from high school while waiting for the race to start. I wasn’t nervous at all. In fact, I was just ready to get it over with. Training for four months is a super long time. The gun went off and we started.
I felt like I was able to find my groove and pace right from the start. I like to listen to my iTunes music loud and run. I don’t run for speed or time. I just run. It’s the only time I ever have to myself, so I like to enjoy quality time with me. The first three miles of the course was on a paved road. Oh, the nice flat smooth asphalt road. My hands and feet thawed out by this point and I was actually enjoying the run. After those three miles came a much different course.
I crossed over a bridge where water was surrounding both sides of the road. The road changed from asphalt to gravel. I mentioned earlier that the race was reschedule due to ice…well, the gravel road was in the woods where no sunlight was able to thaw out the ice. For the next four to five miles I was unable to run on the gravel and had to run off road where there was mud, leaves, gumballs, large rocks and falling tree branches. I felt like I was doing a trail run. It was very difficult running in those conditions. I tripped and almost fell several times. I just kept pushing through.
After that nightmare of miles I came upon mile 9. By this point I’m tired and my phone where I was listening to my music decided to die. Awesome…NOT! I was so ready to be done. I always listen to music. I have to have noise to help take my focus off of running. So, for the next five miles I was chatting with myself and God. I have these silly mantras I say to myself to help me keep going. Like: Slow and steady wins the race. The back of the pack is where the party’s at. The faster I run the faster I’m done.
I’m running, if you can call it running and finally have one more stinking mile to do. By this time I can totally feel the blisters on both of my feet but I kept running. And then where it was. The glorious finish line with my husband and daughter waiting for me. I did it! I actually did it. I ran the ENTIRE 13.1 miles. It took me 2:53:39 to run it but I did it. I only had two goals for this race: 1. To run the whole course without stopping and 2. To do it under three hours. Mission accomplished.
This had been a long and hard journey for me. You can read all about how and why I started running HERE. I never thought I would be able to run one mile let alone complete a half marathon. During training I suffered from a sore hamstring, large blood blister on my foot, two black toenails (one fell off). Running is not for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, drive and perseverance. The running community is the best there ever is. They know your struggles and strengths. I have a few running groups I am a part of on Facebook. The one thing I have learned from this experience is that I am stronger than I think I am. Not just physically but mentally. I believe running is 80% mental and 20% physical.
CAKE!
Now that the race is over I am going to try and work on my speed. I need to do some interval work and try to cut my 5k time by 3 minutes. Plus I’m still on a weight loss journey to loss a few more extra pounds.
Thank you for all the support! I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends and followers to get me through it. Mostly importantly I couldn’t have done this without God’s grace, love and unmerited favor.
Katie you did awesome! I knew you would. I was happy to chat with you before we started and to see you cross the finish line. You did great! Next year? Same place right?!?
Katie, I don’t know you but I ran this 1/2 as my first one too. I remember we were close to each other throughout the course ….this story is inspirational and you did great! Congrats sista and I love that I’m not the only one that repeats “slow and steady wins the race” 😉
That is SO crazy, Shea! Do you live in S. IL? I am always looking for ‘slow’ runners like myself. We might be slow but we are dedicated. Thanks SO much for stopping by and CONGRATS on your first half!
Congrats again. I love first half marathon stories!
Thanks SO much, Susan! Glad we were able to connect 🙂
Congratulations to you. Thank you for sharing your story. Very inspiring to me. My sister in law is a runner and she convinced me to do a race with her in May. I will be walking for most of it, but like you mentioned slow and steady wins the race!!
Thanks Brandi! Good luck on your first race. I doesn’t matter if you have to walk, you are still out! You got this 🙂
Congrats to you!!! I am doing a half in May and I’m already nervous, lol! What a great accomplishment for you, way to go!
Thanks Cara! You totally got this. Just remember you have been training so it’s just another run day. Remember to have fun and enjoy it. Good luck!
That is so fantastic! Great job at keeping going even with the rough conditions and no music! Been there, done that! I ran a half that was really hard as well…with no music as well. If you can do this one, you can do most any. Shaving 3 minutes off your 5k is a huge goal! That is a lot of time to shave. Good luck and don’t push too hard.
KC
Thanks girl! Keep up the running 🙂
This is so great! Congrats to you on your accomplishment! I just started running last summer, and I really haven’t run much this winter, but I can’t believe how much I’m itching to get out there! It really does get into your blood! I completed my first 5K at the end of last summer and it was all trail – no asphalt – and the end was a never ending hill that felt like a spiral staircase. I needed to walk portions and would like to accomplish another 5K without stopping. I am amazed at people who can do 13.1 miles without stopping! You amaze me! I can’t wait to click through the links and read about your journey!
We had a healthy living link party love now where we get together to share tips, tricks, experiences, and encouragement. I would love for you to link up this post and any others that you would like! We’d be thrilled to have you! Thanks!
Wow – typos! “We have a link party live now…”
I’m a horrible runner but I’ve got it in my blood. It’s so addicting. I never thought I would run a mile let alone a half marathon. Just keep at. Thanks for sharing your story. You got this 🙂
Congratulations! You did great! I went from complete non-runner to running three half marathons a few years ago. I was surprised that I wanted to keep running! Haha… I lost my running a bit when I had a baby a year ago, but I am training for another half in two months. I’m starting to get excited! I don’t think I could do it in 17 degrees though! Thanks so much for linking up at The Makers. 🙂
Good for you, Alexis! Once you get the running bug it’s all over. Good luck on your half! You got this 🙂
Wow that is amazing! I am in awe that people can run for that long! Congrats!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Heather! I really can’t believe I ran for that long either. It may be the first and last night…I don’t know. Have a wonderful night!
Congratulations, this is definitely a major accomplishment! Thanks for linking up again this week with us at the #WWDParty!
Thank you SO much!
Congrats! 🙂
Thank YOU!!!