Run, Run, Run Part Three

In case you need a recap, here's the back story.

So, this past weekend marked Half Marathon Number 3 for the year.

Going into it, I was somehow even LESS prepared than Half Marathon Number 2 in September.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of runs I had done since then, not to mention the total number of miles run on both hands.

As with last time, things just seemed to get in the way.  I was still battling gastrointestinal issues and had that lovely colonoscopy and endoscopy last month, only to find no answers.  Then, like last time, Xavier got sick.  And then the day before the half, BOTH kids came down with fevers and I was thisclose to canceling.  Justin, of course, being the supportive guy he is, reassured me that he could take care of the sick children while I did my thing, and so I did.  Albeit begrudgingly.

I went into it with no expectations.  It was a cold morning, so I was optimistic that the weather would help me run faster, but with as little training as I had done, I wasn't really gonna sweat it either way.  I just wanted to do it.

What struck me while waiting to begin was a small group of women wearing matching shirts that read "Preemie Mafia."  I didn't talk to them, but from what I could gather, these women all had premature babies, and they banded together in friendship while in the NICU and decided to run the half marathon together.  Of course, that got me thinking of my sick 'lil imp at home, and I knew that this run was gonna be done for him.  And his sister.  And my husband who was taking care of them.

But, man, once the race kicked off, time just seemed to go by soooooooo sloooooooow.  I thought that I was pacing myself well, but since I didn't wear my running watch and there were no pace timers on the course, I really just had no idea how well/not well I was running.  And then there was miles 7-11.  It was an out-and-back stretch going into Shelby Bottoms Greenway and then back downtown.  It was long, and I was getting discouraged seeing all of the runners ahead of me.  To top it off, they ran out of water at mile 10.  As a result,  I got bored so I started walking.  And I am still kicking myself for walking because when I started running again after a mile or so, I felt great and ready to finish.  My final time was 2:26:51.....which only meant that if I hadn't started walking, I would have probably shaved off another 8 minutes or so.  UGH.....

Anyway, I did it.  After a very trying and difficult 2012, I am finishing 2013 with three half marathons under my belt.  My first was a PR (which happened to be done in the rain), my second was amidst health issues, and my third was for my family.

This time I really am temporarily retiring.  But I do have my sights set on a Ragnar Relay next year.  Anyone interested?

And, special thanks to my running buddy, Stacy, who ran all three with me and provided much needed encouragement along the way.