Well after weeks of heat and stress induced sickness, and thus time not truly training and a funk as a result, I ran my send 1/2 marathon. And I finished it! Not in a time that makes last's years race (the same course) a laughing stock, and not in a time that beats last year's, but I did cross the line.
I ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 11 seconds (lat years was 2:51:30). Or another way of putting it: I ran a 13:40 mile pace (13:04 last year).
So numbers aside, I did it. Once again I ran further than some ever consider.
And there were good parts. I ran at 11:19 mile pace (and ran the whole time!) for the first 2 miles. This is where a pacer is amazing. The next 3 miles were good as well, giving me an average of a 12 min mile pace! The fastest I've ever done.
But sadly the race didn't end there, and as I tried to keep the pace high. I just couldn't do it. I was doing ok, till mile 8, but my second wind never came at mile 9, or 10, or 11, or 12. So I walked, and jogged when I could. But my aching feet reminded me that I had not put in the road time, and had not been training on dirt and rock paths.
At the 13 mile marker, I was able to push myself to a run (out of sheer will), and I crossed the line in a wheezing state. But I did cross the line.
And to that picture of me crossing the line. --> New rule: unless you are a beauty queen or photogenic, do not look at the course pictures from a race. The image you have of yourself crossing the finish line is far better than the one caught on film.
I have no desire to see that belly or double chin ever again.
Tomorrow to the gym.
This is a blog about me wanting to get in shape for myself, keeping my curves, and maybe venting about how much it can suck trying to be a Fat Bottomed Runner.
