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!