Run to Remember Race Recap
I’m SO SORE today! But, I suppose it was worth it! 
My official half marathon time was 2:06:04, which isn’t too shabby considering my hip hurt for almost the entire 13.1 miles. I think if I had kept on schedule with my training, I could have easily broken the 2-hour mark. I hadn’t run in a month, so running without stopping for over 2 hours was quite the accomplishment for me!
The first few minutes of the half were awesome! I loved the positive vibe of the race– the sun was shining and everyone was in such a great mood! I felt strong and motivated for the first 1 mile, but my hip started to hurt on mile 2. 
It didn’t get too bad until about mile 7 or 8 though. I kept reminding myself to take it mile-by-mile and enjoy the experience– it was a beautiful day, I was running by the Charles River, and I had the support of the other runners and crowd. I even saw a pug during the race! However, by mile 11, my hip was giving me the big F-U! 
I felt like my legs didn’t want to run anymore. But, being so close to the end, I knew I couldn’t stop. My mantra for this part of the race was “Don’t you dare stop!” I knew once I stopped to walk, I wouldn’t want to keep running. So, I slowed my pace drastically and just kept trucking along until the last mile when I picked up the pace for the last 1/2 mile or so. The finish line could not come soon enough! I was psyched to cross the finish line, but also relieved that my hip made it the whole way. About 30 seconds after finishing, I saw Mal in the crowd. He gave me a big hug and told me how me how proud he was of me!
The half marathon was an amazing experience and one that I will remember forever. It was also a big goal for 2009, so I am very happy that I decided to do it– even with a bum hip!
Mal snapped a few pics of the scene at the finish line while waiting for me. It was a huge race!
For those of you who are interested in how my sister did at the half marathon, she did GREAT! She finished about 10 minutes after me– she even said running the half “wasn’t too bad!” However, she probably won’t run another one anytime soon. Even still, I’m glad she did it!
I have a massage and physical therapy on the agenda for next week, so hopefully, I will be running again soon enough! 
Jocelyn — May 25, 2009 @ 9:02 am
wow…I think a big congratulations should be said!!! CONGRATULATIONS…This is a huge accomplishment, and as you said…you will remember it forever!!!
Have a great week!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) — May 25, 2009 @ 9:06 am
Yayy!!! Congrats Tina! That is so awesome and inspiring and I’m so glad you were able to go out there and run.
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats — May 25, 2009 @ 9:09 am
Congrats again Tina – that is a great time too – and ESPECIALLY since you hadn’t run in a month?! That is amazing!!
Meghan — May 25, 2009 @ 9:16 am
Awesome job Tina, enjoy that wonderful post-race accomplishment feeling! You deserve it.:)
Amy — May 25, 2009 @ 9:25 am
Way to go Tina!
I put up my race report too!
K — May 25, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Aw the pug! Great recap – congrats again! That’s very inspiring!!
Amy — May 25, 2009 @ 9:37 am
CONGRATS Tina, you are so amazing!
The pug was your good luck charm
zestycook — May 25, 2009 @ 10:36 am
awesome job Tina!!!! Congrats and great job
Hangry Pants — May 25, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Tina, that is awesome!!! It’s really a tribute to how healthy and in shape you are that you were able to finish like that. You deserve that iPhone!!! And, of course, congrats to your sister as well.
Melissa @ For the Love of Health — May 25, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Congratulations Tina! That is an amazing time!!
I’m really sorry to hear about your hip though! I hope you aren’t suffering today!
Cinemarie — May 25, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Wow Tina that is AWESOME! Very inspiring that you stuck to it even with your painful hip – congratulations for accomplishing this goal!!
Sheri — May 25, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Wow that is awesome Tina…very inspiring! I don’t think I would be able to run a half marathon let alone on a bum hip! I am currently training for 10k thinking of your story will get me going that is for sure!
Ellen (Peace In Motion) — May 25, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
I jsut ran my first race ( a 12k) and it was such a wonderful experience as well. I can’t imagine a half marathon at this point! Great job, bum hip and all.
Jennifer — May 25, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Congrats, but I hope you learned your lesson, and won’t do a half-marathon again.
Tina — May 25, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
@Jennifer: I am likely running another with Mal this fall. Can’t wait!
Susan — May 25, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
@Jennifer: I completely agree. I think it’s a great accomplishment, but your body is trying to tell you something with all that pain.
Rose — May 25, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
Great job! You did so well!
tami — May 25, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
i am glad you kept running. my friend does a run/walk thing during races and i have no idea how he keeps going. i am proud that you stuck with it. i’ll be sure to let you know about a few more halfs in our area
Menden (Skinny Menny) — May 25, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Congratulations, Tina! Way to go!!
Jennifer — May 25, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Thanks Susan. I think it’s an oxymoron how the these blogs and others tout “listening to your body” when it comes to eating, but not the same when it comes to PAIN.
Sarah — May 25, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
Tina, that is amazing!
Lauren — May 25, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
Tina – what an AWESOME accomplishment! You must have felt on top of the world after crossing that finish line
Congrats!
Tanya — May 25, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
Ooh – congrats!!
Andrea (Off Her Cork) — May 26, 2009 @ 7:35 am
Awesome Tina!! That’s an amazing time for your first half! Congrats to you! I love running halfs, they are so fun! And I’m glad to read that you’re running another.
Pffftttttt to the Debbie Downers up there. Jeeze.
Marianne — May 27, 2009 @ 2:37 am
Congrats on your race! Hope that hip starts healing up soon
Elina (Healthy and Sane) — May 28, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Congrats!!!! I’m so proud of you for finishing despite your injury! You make me want to run a 1/2 now. I had a 6 mile from hell last week (planned on doing 7.5) which made me reconsider running alltogether but maybe it was just a bad day. Hmm. I’m definitely re-inspired to run!
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