I ran 195 miles to prepare for this race. From July-Nov 1st.
Initially, I was disappointed with myself on race day. I know I am my toughest critic, and I am very very hard on myself, but my problem-some left leg didn't let me finish the race like I wanted to. Granted, the odds were stacked against me from the start- and today, after I've had time to sit on it, I'm proud of myself for doing what I did.
...Ok, race day!
I set my alarm for 5am, but didn't really need it. I woke up probably every half hour throughout the night because I was so anxious and afraid I would sleep through the alarm. I got up and ate a bagel and a protein bar. I wasn't hungry, but I always eat breakfast and everyone has told me not to change your routine on race day.
The race was set to start at 7:30am, and it would take us 35 min to get there from our house. I woke my husband up at 5:45 and we left around 6. The drive over was uneventful, and we parked in the parking garage they had reserved for us, about a half mile away from the start line.
We found a place to sit down, and only had to wait about 20 min. before it was time to line up. I decided, last minute, to join a pace group. The race was put on by a running club in Clayton, and they had some of their most seasoned runners designated to run the race based on goal times.
I chose the 2:45 goal time-
1. Because it was one less than I was actually trying for (I wanted 2:30 finish time and the groups went in 15 min intervals)
2. I overheard several of the runners in that group saying it was their first race as well
3. The 'seasoned runner' in charge of us was this wonderful 60-something year old woman who was so full of life and happiness, it was just contagious. I was drawn to her.
After a quick selfie with my support rock, my biggest fan, and my best friend (my husband) it was time to line up and start the race! I was a ball of nerves, standing there waiting for the GO!
The moment passed, and we were on our way. The Clayton police and several other volunteers had taken care to shut down the main street of the city so we could run down the middle of the road and through all the intersections. I wish I would have taken more pictures while running. The sun was just starting to come up, and for the first 5 miles or so, we ran to the east so we could watch the sun come up and dry up some of the fog/mist that was lingering around from the cool night.
My pace setter's name was Rae. (Or Ray, I didn't ask how she spelled it). For the first 5 or 6 miles, we spent time talking. Telling each other about ourselves and looking around at the scenery. I had never been to this area before, so it was all new to me. The other runner's name that stayed with myself and Rae was named Marneen. Marnie for short. This was her first big race as well.
We found out that our motivator, Rae, was running 'only her 12th' half-marathon, but she had just completed her 101st MARATHON. This woman was truly amazing.
The first 5 miles went by pretty uneventfully. Rae told us to alternate water and Gatorade at the stations along the race, and we had been by two of them already. I was feeling good, and soon I saw the sign for:
Mile 7 went well, but I was starting to feel it..by mile 8 I was ready for the next water station, and we kept going. Rae continued to give me encouragement and also all the runners around us. She knew everyone! The volunteers, several of the runners, she was amazing me more and more.
Mile 9- yep, I'm feeling it. I had taped up my leg before the race, as I knew my Achilles tendon would give me trouble, but it was my knee that was causing the problem at this point.
Mile 10- I'm done. My leg can't do it. I had to slow down and Rae stayed with me. She said we had some time in the bank, and we would still finish around our 2:45 goal time. By Mile 11 I'm limping, and the last two miles were uphill so I had to walk some. I was so mad. I walked about half of mile 11, then at mile 12 I somewhat painfully started up again.
Rae was ahead of me, telling people it was my first race because when I came by to where the volunteers and police were blocking traffic, they cheered for me. I was so honored by that. These people, standing in the middle of an intersection doing their job, are cheering for me?! I got more water and Gatorade at the 12.5 mile station, and limp/walked on. At this point, my knee was shot and both of my feet ached like crazy.
Mile 13. I did it? Wait, I've still got that .2 mile to go. The finish line is right around the corner, my husband is texting me telling me to keep going, I'm limping and surely look ridiculous..but:
As soon as I saw it, I took off. I didn't care how silly I looked limp/jogging along. I finished the race at 2:48:04, and my husband and Rae were waiting for me.
The top picture is my husband and I, and the bottom is Rae and I laughing after I crossed the finish.
This race was lots of fun, overall. I loved running and meeting new people! I was mad that I didn't run the whole thing, but I sort of knew going in that I would probably have to walk at some point. Rae kept telling me that today was a 'base line' day. She said 95% of her runners always beat their first race time. Today was a learning day, and I learned what my body could do, and where I needed to work on. You can see my time splits, and sure enough, I slow down around mile 10.
Thank you, St. Louis for making my first major race a success. Also, thanks to my parents, my amazing friends, and my husband for giving me encouragement before, during, and after the race. You guys(and girls) make life wonderful! Yes, I was mad at myself for having to slow down and even walk some. But yes, I'm still happy I did the race, and I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to beating my new 'base line' time.
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