I DID IT! I got my sub-2 hour half marathon! As I’m writing this, I’m still waiting on official results but it should be between 1:57 and 1:58. I could not be happier!
This race marks the 1 year anniversary of my first half marathon and will always hold a special place in my heart. Last year I ran it and knew maybe 5 people on the course~ my friend that I started running with, Alisha and the MRTT chapter leader, Jessica. We had just met. This year I was proud to be wearing a Rockwall Running Club race team shirt and be surrounded by countless new friends and running buddies!
It’s such an awesome experience to see and run with friends in a race! The ones that weren’t running were cheering us on and taking pictures.
Had a yummy dinner the night before with these awesome ladies I’ve been training with for months!
The weather was cloudy and a light wind at the start, we started promptly at 7:45 AM. I lined up with the 2 hour pace team hoping to keep them in sight and see if I could pass them near the finish. I’m so glad this was a local race that I could train the route each weekend. It’s such a tough course and very hilly. The humidity didn’t help either!
This is about Mile 3.
I run with a iFitness fuel belt with 2 bottles and this race was the first ever where I had to fill my bottles at several water stops. I think I did pretty well staying hydrated. I had a great pace team and they started us out a little under the 9 minute per mile pace to allow some extra cushion for the hills that would slow us down. I was feeling great, got to mile 4 and saw my BFF and her daughter there with signs! I was so happy to see them there!
Before I saw them again at mile 8, we had run some of the hardest miles of the course! I was able to pass the pace team a little after mile 8. I figured if I could stay in front of them I had cushion. Miles 10-11 are on a very long, hilly stretch of road and when we turned onto that road it was like hitting a brick wall, the wind was insane!
Mile 9
I had to walk at about mile 11 ish for a few seconds to catch my breath, my heart rate was up there and I was getting very warm. I’m kinda mad because I think it cost me a sub 1:57 finish, but I’ll get over it since my goal was 1:59:59!
I turned the last corner and one of my very dear friends and wonderful training partner was there and she ran me in the last 1/4 of a mile. She cheered me and told me I could do this and tried to get me to go faster (LOL). All I wanted to do was stop. Our MRTT chapter leader got this great photo of Alisha running me in, unfortunately I’m behind the girl in the maroon shirt! I am grateful to Alisha for that last 1/4 mile!
The clock was changing to 1:57 when I crossed, so I’m anxious to see the time! I crossed and grabbed hold of my husband, so I wouldn’t just collapse! Found out Ally beat her time from last year’s 5k! So proud of how far she’s come in the last year. I waited for all my friends to cross, got myself stretched and adjusted by our wonderful sports chiropractor. I think that will make a difference for me tomorrow, I can already tell I’m not as sore as I normally am. With the exception of one toe~it always gets angry with me after 13 miles!
My watch time shows 1:58 but I realized I un-paused it. (oops)
Here are mine and Ally’s bibs and medals!
Me and Ally post-race.
We hung out for a little while then headed to grab lunch. I was getting hungry but couldn’t make a decision so we ended up at Chili’s. Got home and showered and took a nice nap. I kinda miss not grilling and hanging out with friends this year, we will have to plan ahead next year and be ready. This day went way too fast!
This morning gun time shows 1:57:03! (YAY!!)
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
