13.1
Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to do a half marathon. I know it’s a big deal, but it didn’t feel like a big deal. You see, back in the day (2001-2004), I completed five marathons equally as many half marathons and a bunch of 5-10 mile races. I was in my running prime.
And then I heard my body whimpering. Not screaming. Not going looney. But, definitely sadly pathetically saying it was time for a break. Little did I know that little break would turn into a five-year break. Which brings me to 2009…
In the time since my last marathon, I met the man I was going to marry; we got a dog; we sold one condo and bought another; we got married. And I’m finally feeling settled down. As if I can finally focus on me. On doing something for me.
I remembered how great I felt during my running prime. So, I decided a half marathon in early May would be a great way to kick off the year. Only, I got sick. For six weeks. And had to drop out of half marathon training.
I was bummed.
So, when some friends suggested an August half marathon in Chicago, my brain skipped over hot, humid, ridiculously uncomfortable Augusts in Chicago, and went straight to YES, SIGN ME UP. And I did just that; I signed up.
And then, just as my training was getting interesting,I fractured my elbow. And my training came to a halt. Again. When I was in the hospital for x-rays that fateful day, I remember crying. Not really because I fractured my elbow. Definitely not because of the pain. But, because I knew my half marathon training would be interrupted. I was so frustrated and disppointed.
A few weeks later, with my doctor’s blessing, I started half marathon training again. And even though that set-back was pretty big (for the girl who hadn’t run more than 5 or 6 miles over the past five years), I was determined to finish this half marathon. And so, while my training stopped short of what my original plan included, I felt I had done enough to finish my run.
Which leads me to yesterday. A sunny, but mild day in Chicago. Low humidity. A relatively perfect day to run a half marathon. Emily and I met her friend, Allie, and headed to the start line.
I knew they ran a slightly slower pace than me. I also know how difficult it is to run in a group of 3. Particularly in a crowded race of 18,000. So, I told them to do their thing and I’d likely see them at the finish.
My strategy for this race: walk one minute every mile. Take my GU energy gel before the race and at miles 5 and 10. And in a crazy ideal world, I’d finish the race averaging 10 minute miles (including my walking breaks – which means running a sub-10-minute mile). I knew the last one was a stretch. So, I was prepared to run a much slower race.
As someone who’s been around the block with races, this was a well-organized race. Packet pick-up the day before the race went smoothly (though official race running shirts costing $70 was a lot exorbitant). They had 8-10 bands playing along the route (always good for a 30-second blast of entertainment). It was well staffed and the staff was knowledgeable and helpful.
And most importantly, water was as plentiful as I’ve ever seen in a race. Not sure if that’s because the Rock N Roll organization does marathons and half marathons all over the country and has found a model that works. Or if Chicago has cracked down on race organizers after the Chicago Marathon gaff a few years ago when it was incredibly hot and they ran out of water towards the end of the race. Either way, water was not a problem.
There were a couple things I might have changed about the race that I’m not sure my friends would have noticed. Things like, the best planned races have as few turns as possible (turns tend to funnel runners towards the inside corner of the turn and slows everything down). This race had far too many unnecessary turns. And the second thing I might change is not having the race along the lakefront path. While it’s beautiful and scenic and even serene at times … funneling 18,000 racers from big city streets onto a small path is challenging. For runners, it’s crowded and definitely slows things down.
With that said, I still had fun. Some of the highlights included the girl running with the pink wig. The couple running with signs on their back. One said, “Four months ago, this seemed like a good idea.” And the other said, “I will never again sign up for anything in a bar.” Ahhh, humor! And the last highlight was when I bit it. Yep, I fell. It was awesome (and very much my own fault). Nothing like gaining a little road rash to bring home after the race.
In the end, I completed my goals. I walked one minute for every mile I ran (and maybe even 2 minutes for the last couple miles). I ate my GU on schedule. And I finished in 2:10:52, averaging 10 minutes per mile (I blame my spill for the extra 52 seconds!).
I’m glad I did the race. And while I definitely won’t be ready to run another half marathon in September (there’s another one here in Chicago I wish I had time to train for), I will train for another half in the near future. It felt great!
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 am
That is so awesome. I am so proud of you. It is not easy to set a goal in the future and then really do it when the time comes.
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 am
Awesome! Congrats on meeting all of your goals even with the minor set back!
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 am
That is fantastic! Congratulations!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Whoo! Congratulations! Would your goals have changed had you not hurt your elbow? And if so, how so? I think you did great though, and I really enjoyed reading about it. I’ve only ever been to one marathon, and I was bored, so I ended up volunteering to be a water girl. My boyfriend at the time, who was running the marathon, was super surprised to see me handing out water, needless to say.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
I am SO IMPRESSED! As you know, I’m training for that half in September and feeling VERY grim about it (this weekends 8 miler did not go so well!) so this is great to read. Nice job, lady!
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Congratulations! I love how awesome you feel after you do something like this. The day after a triathlon, I always feel so good I wish I could bottle the feeling.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
Congratulations! Running anything is something you will never, ever catch me doing, so I stand in absolute awe of your strength and tenacity.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Good for you, girlie! I’m still at the watching stage… I’ll stick to swing dancing I think.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 am
That’s awesome!!! Good for you!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:00 am
If I could, I’d give you a high five followed by a big hug and then buy you a beer. :) Congrats!!
Also, love the new picture on the side!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Congrats on your accomplishment! If I ever run a half I’ll have to take the walking concept into consideration. Hope the road rash heals soon =)
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 am
So proud of you! That’s so awesome. :-)
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
That’s super fast, Nilsa! How on earth did you walk and still run it so quickly? I ran my entire half in 2:27 -- my goal for the one in October is 2:20…maybe you are on to something with the walking thing?
In any case, ROCK ON! Yay!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
YOU rock!!! 2:10? Seriously? and you walked 1 minute per mile? Do you think that was the trick? I am training for a half in November and my time goal is 2:30 which would shave 14 minutes off of my time last year. Congrats!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
Great job!!! You have so much to be proud of--and wow, you had PERFECT August weather for a half-marathon! :)
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Go you! I’m so impressed.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Wow! That’s awesome. I really miss running with you.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I hope you didn’t hurt your elbow again when you fell! Seriously you are awesome and amazing. You were sick and injured and you whooped my half marathon ass by 6 minutes! I am sulking away with my tail between my legs now… Congrats on your great performance!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Congrats!
A coworker just spent 10 mins at my desk telling me how awesome the race was! It sounds like a fun one, except for the whole funnleing thing ;)
Congrats on getting back into the groove of things! I am excited for you!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
YOU.
GO.
GIRL!!!!!
So proud, God knows I could never do anything like that!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
daaaaaaaaamn girl! that is freaking AWESOME! i mean it, i am actually in awe.
getting AWFULLY familiar with the frustration of training being interupted by injury. i hate it. the weirdest part is that until i started running this summer, i would have been THRILLED to have an excuse to stop trying to run… but it got under my skin, somehow, and now i want to keep training.
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Congratulations!!! You go girl. that is so awesome!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
HIGH FIVE!
congrats on your race completion my dear!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Yay! I’m so happy that despite the obstacles that might have derailed others, you pushed through them and kicked ass. Congrats! :-)
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Congrats! I’ve never been much of a runner so I’m always so impressed with anyone that can do even a portion of what you did -- yay you!
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Congratulations Nilsa!! That is so great! My grandfather is a race walker, seeing other people do races while wearing funny hats or shirts is always part of the fun. I hope you weren’t hurt when you fell. 10 minute miles though is amazing.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:11 am
wow congrats. 10 min/mi sounds pretty good to me! with that much mileage, i’d be lucky if i did 11..
August 4th, 2009 at 12:38 am
You did it!!! This is so great, congratulations!
August 4th, 2009 at 12:42 am
I am so excited for you!!!!
August 4th, 2009 at 6:41 am
BIG congrats on a job very well done!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Congratulations! And I’m way more impressed with the way you pushed through all of the obstacles thrown in your way than I ever could be with any time you may have finished in!
August 5th, 2009 at 2:21 am
thats awesome! congratulations on your success. since i started working out more frequently, i have decided that i want to do something similar. i have never run in a race before though so i will start will something small and less intimidating like a turkey trot in the fall.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am
woo! that’s awesome! i’ve been dying to hear how it went!