Phew! I made it! I have never been so obsessed about the weather as I have in the last few days! The warnings of possible thunderstorms which may have resulted in race delays and potential cancellation were a big worry! But it was all good!
I had about four and a half hours sleep the night before the race, just too hyped up! Hubby and I got up at 3h20 to get ready, have some breakfast and do a final check that I had everything I needed. Then we picked up my running partner at 4am and headed off downtown. It started spitting with rain when we got there but it was unusually warm and rather humid.
The start gun went at 7h10 and off we went! At mile six my foot problem decided to take centre stage and I decided this time that I was going to take it on! I had a very stern and angry conversation with it and told the foot that the pain did not exist and it was not going to get the better of me this time! And lo and behold, I ran through that pain and it must have gotten bored because it was not getting any attention, and voila, it was gone! Thank you Lord! Instead, I received a major blister on the opposite foot but there was no way I was stopping!
We got to half way in the planned time and now all I could think about was that I was heading home! And that was enough to spur me on, find some additional energy and try to go a little faster. So off I went and felt great until mile 17 and then my body started to ache, the knees and the hips! Oh boy, age does count! Things kind of slowed down from there and the last 6 miles were sheer determination that brought me through! It hurt, it hurt a lot, but it looked like everyone else was hurting too! Despite slowing down considerably I actually managed to get the time I wanted with some minutes to spare!
I was going to be happy with 4h30 because I really expected to stop several times because of my feet, and I got a very respectable 4h21! I was super thrilled!
Will I do it again? Not sure! If I can find a way to not ache so much, then maybe, otherwise I am quite happy to really aim at getting my half marathon times down. We'll see, it's too early to decide now. Right now my aim is to be back and running again, decently, by Saturday!
I am a happy girl!
10 comments:
I've been waiting to hear how you did. . . .Wow! Huge congrats to you, Brenda! You should be very proud!
CONGRATS on beating your goal, brenda! that is so awesome! you have my greatest admiration!!
Hi Brenda I really enjoyed reading about your race! Good for you! How long have you been running? What made you start? I run a bit and love to run but I am very chesty! Do you think you will run another race?
Hi Brenda, congratulations on getting through your race with a blister and aching body and in a perfect time too. Wish I was as fit as that, I have never been any good at any sport. Take it easy for a few days now (plenty of crafting will do the trick).
Hugs
Sally
Wow! That is quite a story! Congrats to you for taking on this endeavor Brenda! I'm so not good at exercising and doing outdoorsy activities, I really need to though! You inspire me!
Wow, good for you Brenda! You should feel so proud of yourself for pushing through the pain and acheiving your goal. I would love to run a marathon one day, but would need to actually start exercising for that lol- you've inspired me, maybe I could do it?! How long have you been running?
Wow, Brenda, huge CONGRATULATIONS for a successful race! Good for you, sticking through it all, and beating your goal!
WAY TO GO.... Brenda, I am so pleased for you... what an amazing thing to beat your expected time and with a blister too.... Rest up now and we'll wait with baited breath till you tells us of your next challenge.... 'cause believe me, there will be one!
CONGRATS.... Brenda! You bit the time! You are so determined to finish the race despite all your pain! have a good race .... oops I mean rest!
I'm sorry I missed this post, Brenda. I've been thinking about how you did...I can't believe you ran for four hours!!! Congrats to you!!!!!
I'm exhausted just thinkng about it!
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