I'm happy to report I ran the Belle Plaine Scenic by-way 13.1 half marathon in under 2 hours. It was my goal to run it in less then 2 hours and I ran it in 1 hour, 56 minutes and some seconds.. I'll have to wait until the race results are officially posted as I can't recall how many seconds right now!
Here's the break down of the race!
Checked in around 8am.. The race started at 9am.. Plenty of time.. It was drizzling.. and it felt cold. I went back to the car to warm up and change into just my new rain jacket and tank top. I decided to wear my visor just in case it did rain. I didn't want to chance having my eyes burning from the rain and not being able to see. As it turns out.. I didn't need it!
I started up conversations with 2 people. A guy who was also standing there putting on his bib while I was doing the same. There was the young mother who was waiting at the starting line who was running her first 1/2 marathon before she planed baby #3. Sometimes its the people you meet at these races that have a bigger impact then the race itself. I'm always nervous so I want to talk to someone.. anyone! It helps calm me and I get to hear their running story....
I'm so glad I had that woman to talk to at the start line. Time seemed to stand still.. and drag on and on.. we all just wanted to run.. and it was the longest wait! I've never run a race where I start farther back in the crowd. I usually go right up front as I don't want people in my way and I don't want to run more then I have to.
This race had people running to pace yourself. They hold a sign while running so if you want a 2 hour time to run by this person and they help pace you. Well, I kept up with the 1 hour 30 minute pace person for 3 miles and then I let them go......
I passed plenty of people along my way.. each time I'd lift my visor. I did this on accident the first time I started passing up people. I decided why not keep doing it. I had to lift it up to see since the hat kept sinking lower and lower when I ran. That hat made it on my head to mile 12.. then I took it off. It was soaking wet! YUCK!
It was nice to see my family at mile 1, waving to me.. I looked so happy.. fresh in that photo! I would not see them again until I was 100 feet from the finish line. I wanted Logan and Celina to run with me to the finish line and they did!
I tried to dedicate each mile to someone.. I never got past my father.. I over come with too much emotions so I decided, it's his birthday month.. the whole race will be dedicated to my father.. who I truly miss. I miss his constant phone calls.. and just hearing his voice. Dad this one was for you.. I wanted to make you proud! I kept him in my thoughts every time I passed someone up!
The race route was nice, rolling hills, farm land, sand pits, beautiful fall colors, crossing the river on the bridges, past the country homes and people working in their yards, a dead stinky raccoon 5 horses that came over to the fence to watch all of us run past, there were also the many volunteers in costumes who gave me water and offered kind words of support.
I still remember passing up the old guy in the black knee highs.. I was thinking to myself.. I have to pass this old, knee-hi wearing guy.. then the 2 women who had the funny looking run.. they had to go! I tried to count people ahead of me and thought I was in the 40's.. I finished at #66 so a few more I couldn't see in front of me.. Probably a good thing! I ran a good 7 miles behind a woman I determined to be my pace person.. she was in hot pink too and looked around my age from her backside. She was always at least 20 paces or more in front of me.. then to my disappointment.. she started to slow and I passed her. I was hoping I could tell her after the race.. she helped me.. but I never saw her again.. I felt let down when I ran on by but never said anything..
I was expecting some un-godly hill at mile 12.. I read some on-line comments and even the guy before the race I talked to mentioned this hill. Well, it was long but not steep.. I would pass another woman I considered a pace person... She came in some where behind me.. #67...
I just wanted that metal of completing a half marathon 13.1 miles around my neck! I just wanted to reach the finish line.. that last mile felt long.. probably because it was so close.. I had ran so far.. I just wanted to be done! I turned the corner and there was the big red finish line with Celina and Logan smiling and waving to me. I just had to keep running and cross that finish line!
That was probably the hardest part of my race. The last mile.. the last 100 feet.. or now maybe it's the recovery?? I cross the finish line.. white as a ghost.. dizzy.. needing water and needing it NOW! I ignored the woman who tried to hand me the metal I so wanted.. Thankfully, Steve grabbed it for me. I was in no condition.. to get it. I was on a mission to get water. I felt sick! I had to get food but I could not eat. It took a good 30 minutes for me to feel some what normal and eat a banana. I am still recovering.. 2 toe nails that feel and look like they could fall off. I ate a salad, took a hot shower, and napped for an hour.. now I'm on the couch..took some Advil am waiting for the race results so I can pour over all the statistics. I just love that part!
So will I ever do a full 26 mile marathon.. no.. Its too much. I might be back again for the half but now I'm thinking maybe I should do a 10 mile race. A bigger race with lots of people to experience that... it's going to have to wait.. I won't run again in a race until next summer. Well, maybe T-day race in Hastings. It's only 3 miles.. easy stuff..
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