Back in January, I made you stick with me and do a running
plan- did you do it? How did you do?? Tell me about it!!
I vowed to you avid fans that I would complete a Half
Marathon after my son was born last December- before the end of the year- working on getting rid of that baby belly! My baby boy is 10 months old and it was
time.
October 19th, 2013 crept up on me very quickly. I
should restate that- came up on me very quickly (nothing creeps quickly, does
it?)!
The whole week had been wonderful running weather! I mean
fantastic! And then the weather started to show for Saturday on my wonderful weather app, and every day it
only got colder. I kept my spirits high- hoping that would motivate the
temperature as well- and got ready for my adventure. After all, the racing shirt I had made for me was a TANK TOP!
The day had arrived.... The alarm went off early--- very early
As I arrived downtown, and quickly-thank goodness- found a
parking spot, the nerves set in. I wasn't able to run the week before because,
well because life happened. And the nerves of “will I survive” were more than
present.
Quickly I found my sister and brother, and we set off to find the rest
of the family. What you may not know, this year was special, not only were my sister and I running
the half, but my mom, 2 brothers, cousin, sister-in-law and father were a team
for the full marathon! How awesome to be part of a family that values healthy
choices!
With the temperature coming in at a whopping 34 degrees
outside, even though I prefer to round down to 16 degrees to make me sound tougher, it was nothing short
of COLD! As soon as we got out of the car, we all knew the only choice would be
to do a warm up run to make sure all limbs were present- that didn't work.
Still cold. The time ticked down, and the masses began to file into the start
line- it was time!
We kicked off, and I was ready- sports beans and all- I was
going to do this! The first goal was clearly to survive it, but secondly I knew
I could beat my last time on this course- and that was the focus.
Kansas City was gorgeous as the sun came up and everyone was
in good spirits- the course was full of people, hills and fans- and I was
determined to nail it!
It was a great run over all- but don't you worry, I did learn a valuable lesson on this run... Throughout the course the race had their photographers planted to get good race shots of you, as most do, for later purchase options. As my sister and I had conquered the first hill, we saw one and posed- aren't we smart?! However, unbeknownst to us... That photographer happened to belong to the Kansas City Star- and don't you worry this picture was on their website and linked to my Facebook VERY QUICKLY! Yea....
Tragedy struck my poor left leg at mile 5… my calf muscle
was done and the pain began. When I stopped to check things out I was hoping for
blood, swelling or even a missing limb it hurt SO BAD… alas there was no battle
wound to speak of… Just a limp that lasted a few more miles (days really but I stopped
feeling it). Luckily, my parents were waiting to cheer us on at mile 5.5 and I needed
the boost! I fought back the tears, took a deep breath (turns out that's vital), received some sisterly encouragement, found my (slower) stride and kept on.
Before I knew it, I had passed mile 12… MILE 12!! I was
going to survive!
The last 1.10 miles were ahead of me and since muscle memory
had taken over and all I had to do was pray. I could make it. As the mileage
ticked by, I could taste the beer.
I crossed that finish line, and although I swear I was
sprinting, all I knew was one foot was still falling in front of the other and
for the most part I was upright.
My sister, who is also one of my biggest fans, was there cheering me
on at the finish, and if that didn't make me cry, the fresh smell of beer did!
Done, completed, accomplished…..
NAILED IT
PS.... Beat last year by 16 seconds... Hey a win is a win!
Lastly- a shoutout to a friend of mine that completed this half and put down in the books his first half marathon!! Woot woot Michael!! You rocked it!!
The 2014 goal is coming... it involves a certain series... are you in or are you out?
~K
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