what a ride it was.
That final week all I could think about was this half marathon.
I was nervous and anxious all week. Trying to lots of drink water. trying not to eat bad things but eating sugar because of said anxiety. I wanted the day to come so badly and yet I wanted it behind me.
I picked up my faithful running buddy at her house early- around 2.00 p.m. and headed to Phila. where we stayed overnight. Another buddy was already there. Arriving at the hotel, we had to beg for valet parking as the guy insisted they were full. We were rewarded. I think it had to do with my friend’s lower cut shirt. I was all sporty in a zipping wick, tho girly and bight pink, but NOT revealing.
Unloaded our stuff. I know, one night and we had to “unload”. It seems when we travel, we pack ungodly amounts of snacks. Pretzels, water, POM juice, peanut butter, one bagel, two yogurts, apple, two bananas, 2 muffins, almonds, etc. etc. We just weren’t sure what we might WANT before race day- so we wanted to have all our options covered.
Checked in and headed for our race packets and numbers.
Wow- i have to say their Expo was pretty good. I got the CUTEST necklace from www.onemoremile.net and snazzy girly sporty headband, too. Oh- and the race packet, yeah yeah yeah. Nuthin good in there save for the T-shirt and one soyjoy bar. Oh- and one Ben Gay patch. They were handing out Soymilk as well.
Back to the hotel where we changed (of COURSE!) and I put on my new headband and off to dinner. It was a MOB scene. I had chicken w wheat pasta and said no to the wine tho it was tempting me and calling me and teasing me. So hard to resist.
Feeling full of carbs, we headed pack to the hotel and I squeezed my full belly into my two race outfits, deciding which one looked best.
Laid out what i would need for the morning and we plopped onto the beds and I felt like Santa was coming. I was so excited. And exhausted. I slept, not very soundly, but I slept and woke up at 5.30 a.m. and ran to the window. No frost or snow. Before falling asleep- the weather channel said to prepare for CHILLY night and I freaked. Aside from that, Christmas was finally here! ;o)
There was quite a bit of girly drama having to do w someone accidentally slurping another girl’s contact. She had used the cup to hold the contacts and her roomie had filled it with tap water, promptly spit it out and said “Philadelphia water sucks.” Anyway, she ran into our room at 6.30 a.m. literally bawling until i said: Here, use my extra contact. No worries, i always have unopened packs with me as she was living out my biggest fear.
My race buddy was now having M A J O R gastrointestinal distress. TMI, you say??? not really when it starts to affect your run. I just wanted to get to the race.
Left the hotel at 6.45 a.m. and walked the 9 blocks to Eakins Oval. It was already hopping. Of course, had to wait in line 2x for running buddy’s GI issues.
My friends spotted me in my corral and pictures were taken and I got so HAPPY. Drama aside, we could not have asked for a better day. Beautiful weather. Perfect.
Race started PROMPTLY at 7.45 a.m. with about 10,000 runners. Energy energy energy. and then some.
We wound through the city, back to the start, and proceeded along the Schuylkill River. It was just gorgeous. I wanted to cry at about Mile Marker 8 when i heard a bag pipe player. Amazing. The bands and music were great, from Blues to Folk to Rock to a local H.S. band. I have to say, it was one of my easiest runs ever. Easier than some of my 5 or 6 mile runs. I could maybe have stepped it up a notch- but then perhaps I would not have felt so good during the run.
After mile 10, I put on some power. Still feeling great. even into the last mile…tho the the finished line was poorly set up: after a straight away it veered sharply to the right and suddenly a few hundred feet later there was the finish line. I wish it could have been a longer straight away- especially for all the people wanting to cheer on the runners. It was an awkward finish and, imho, poorly set up.
Having my chip cut off, crowded into one small area, i started to feel claustrophobic and shaky. and very very cold.
I wandered around a bit lost and then finally rememebred I had not gotten my medal, at which time I panicked a bit as no one was being let back in. I illegally squeezed my way thru a gate and grabbed my well-deserved medal. That was the reason I did it, afterall.
I met my people at the big blow-up SPENCO shoe and felt very very cold. Shivering. We went into the sun and there were shirtless people running around and I could not believe it. It seems we are react differently to the stimulus and excitement. I had had enough. It was strangely anti-climactic, sad, and yet freeing.
I am so happy with the run.
I am so happy I have done my first 1/2 marathon and that I stuck to it.
It is amazing to see so many people with the same goals but for many different motivations.
Thanks, Ooty, for your constant support. Much love.
I had an incredible show of support online, on the phone, in-person and text messaging. Oh- it helps to braodcast your goals!!!! I am not quiet about it. But the support is authentic and beautiful. I hope to return it and then some.
And, i can mark this as DONE!