Ok, didn't want to leave you hanging. I made it through my first half marathon and what a race it was. Got some time? Let me tell you about it......
After obsessively checking the weather app all week hoping for a miracle, it finally became quite clear that this race was going to happen in the rain. Ok, accept it and figure out what to wear.
Got my Buddy Fruit!!!! Big shout out to my friend Robin, who used her brain when mine was stressed and panicked and told me where to go get my damn applesauce...thank you friend.
I wonder if Buddy Fruit needs a spokesperson? Anyone out there got a connection? I'm available Buddy Fruit!! Call me!!! I have nothing but good things to say!!!!
It was so cold before the race started, but not raining yet. Finally caught up with my friend who was starting in my wave, and we just stood and hugged each other for warmth. I was getting ready to start asking strangers to stand closer to me, but thankfully didn't have to go that route.
Wave start was great, I've never been in a race big enough to need one. There were 6 waves, each started within 2 minutes of each. It helped to thin the herd.
We were so happy to just start running so we could get warmer. It started raining lightly, so all good at this point. My sweet friend stayed with me for the first 3 miles as we planned and then I told her to go on, I needed to slow down. She was outta sight within a minute. BYE BYE
The course is nothing but hills. Up and down, up and down. I wish I had pics for you, but didn't want to pull out my phone in the rain. I tried to only look a few feet ahead and not at the top of the hill on the worst ones and it worked pretty good as a denial strategy.
What drove me crazy were all the people that walked up every hill and then would blow by me on the downhill. Was very annoying, as I would creep past them on every hill and then, bamn, there you go by me again!!! Ugh!! The downhills killed my knees. It got to the point that I dreaded going downhill. It's so funny during a race how to start to get familiar with the runners around you, especially in something this long and if someone new runs by you, you start to panic :-) "Have I slowed down? Who is that person? Where did they come from?"
It started raining really hard around mile 9, just before the worst hill on the course. I swear I felt some small hail hitting my face. And it was so windy!! Just made the rain feel even colder. From mile 9 to the end was pretty miserable. Even though I was running, I was starting to feel colder, especially my hands. I started having to mentally motivate myself by thinking of certain people I knew that were having a hard time in their lives right now and dedicating a mile to that person. It helped.
The highlights of the race:
*Having someone with me the first 3 miles to help get me started
*Gear check!! Never had this option before, but it sure was nice to have that bag available after the race to put on dry shoes, socks, and shirt. And a big ole towel
*Seeing 3 deer come running from behind a barn between miles 4-5 and watching them sail up into the air to jump over the plank fence and keep running through the field
*The numerous aid stations along the route. 3 different drink options at each, some even had porta potties and music. I made a point of thanking these wonderful volunteers who were out in the horrible weather for us. Amazing
*Speaking of music, thank you drummers for getting us up the hill at mile 9. So cool
*Beer at mile 11!!!!!! Of course I went for the Bourbon Barrel Ale instead of the Michelob Ultra. And then I was scared to death my stomach would revolt, but all was well. I was just hoping it would warm me up
*Getting that medal around my neck at the end
Lowlights:
*I've never been so cold. I know it was because I was wet too, but it was misery. I really think I was a little hypothermic at the end, couldn't use my hands for about 45mins after and was shaking uncontrollably. Could not open the water I grabbed at the end, couldn't think clear enough to get myself inside, couldn't find my friend.
*It's a beautiful course, but a lonely one. The only crowd support is at aid stations and at the end
*Did I mention all the hills?
I'm sore, I'm stiff, I've been eating like a horse and I took the longest hot shower of my life yesterday. But I will do this race again. I will do another half in the fall. This distance is amazing. It challenges you, but it is unbelievable what your body can do. All the training in the cold and the snow and the early morning hours and going to bed with the chickens and people thinking you are crazy......
All worth it. Every minute.
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