My First Half: Before & After

It's been a little over a week since I ran my first (and probably not last) Half Marathon on July 4th, and I'm reflecting on how I feel after all the running, planning, stretching, and thinking.  In some ways I don't feel any different and it was all a bit anticlimactic, but in another way I feel so very different than I did before the race.  Here is what I have realized...

Before Race Day:  (going back to January, when I signed up for my running group)  I was pretty doubtful I would actually sign up for the half marathon, forcing myself to get out of a funk and just run, enjoying seeing the miles pile up each week, frustrated when I couldn't get in the training I was supposed to be doing, scared at seeing the longest runs of my life looming on my training schedule, nervous about getting injured, excited to have a friend to chat with on long runs, and getting prouder by the week at what my body and mind were accomplishing.

My 15-week training schedule

Waving and running = awkward photo

RACE DAY!   I was just plain ready to do this, but still in disbelief that it was actually happening.  I was so happy the weather had cooled down, confident that I would finish this distance, and thrilled Sam, Kim and the girls would be there at the finish line.  Mid-race, I found myself torn between supporting my friend, Jenna, who was hurting and needed to walk, and feeding my ego and wanting to ditch her and run the race my way.  While I kept waiting for her to say, "It's ok, go ahead," that never happened.  I was really getting conflicted about my own goals, but in the end, I made peace with my emotions and realized that Jenna is a big reason I enjoyed those long runs so much, and supporting her at a tough time was just as important as crossing the finish line.  I knew that regardless of my time, it would still be a PR (personal record) for me.

Meanwhile, back at the farm . . . .   Kim, Sam, Morgan & Sasha were having fun riding the cow train, visiting the animals in the barn, and VERY patiently waiting to see me at the finish line.  It took longer than we planned, but I felt so lucky they would be a part of this day.  

I did take off on my own for last mile and it felt great!  I definitely had a lot left in my tank and was really glad to finish strong like I had envisioned on those rainy days running on the gym treadmill.  And seeing Sam and these beautiful, smiling faces was the BEST!  I started to get a bit emotional as I was rounding the corner to the finish line, but happiness soon took over as I got my medal.  I did it!

My cheerleaders!

Almost to the finish line! 

Running is definitely a team sport!

After Race Day:  I feel relieved it is over, elated I did it, a little disappointed that I didn't run faster, very proud of myself for doing it, fitter (physically and mentally) than I ever remember being, glad to go run for the heck of it but a little lost with out a training plan to follow, and wondering how I ever doubted that I could complete this goal.  The best part of this journey has been proving myself wrong!

Jenna & I - we did it!