I never wanted a race to end so badly, but I crossed the finish line at the Run to Remember with a smile on my face.
I didn’t set a new PR, but I achieved my running goal for the year! 
Yesterday’s heat and humidity totally kicked my butt, but I listened to my body and walked through every water station while taking in fluids.
My knee didn’t hurt AT ALL during the race, which reminded me that running is a gift.
I didn’t run my best half marathon (I finished in 2:03:57), but there will be more races.
And more chances to PR!
104 Comments
Congrats on a great run! I felt the same way during my 10 mile race on Saturday. I could not wait for it to end!!! But of course, as soon as I crossed the finish line, I was scheming to run my next race.
Way to go Tina! You should be so proud of yourself.
…and running really is a gift. One you don’t appreciate until you get injured.
@Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday: Totally!!!
I hate running when it’s humid out. I can deal with heat but humidity?? Ugh… congrats on getting through it and reaching your running goal!
Stop being so hard on yourself: 2hr03 minutes is a FABULOUS time! And PR or not, at least you rocked one of your goals!
Congrats on deciding to enjoy the run! With this humidity starting to creep in, the only choice we have is to run and smile… run and smile (and drip sweat).
Great job!! I’m walk-joggin my way to being able to run a 5k!
congrats Tina! Awesome job!! Yesterday wasn’t my best race either, it was so humid. I had to walk/jog the last 2 miles….I hate walking in a race. But at the end of the day, at least I ran a half marathon š
Congrats on a great race!
Congrats Tina! I think it’s awesome that you’ve done so many races this year. I’m still trying to convince myself to run one race…
It must have just been a relief that your knee was pain-free!
I’m glad you finished!
I am miserable in the heat — running or not running!
Congrats on the run Tina. The humidity in Atlanta is rough right now even without running! I hope you have a great day today!
Congrats on the race! š
I had an 8-mile long run scheduled this weekend and woke up late and had to do it in the heat…I have never felt so awful! Yuck!
Way to go, Tina! I’m so glad you weren’t too hard on yourself. You did it exactly right! Now enjoy the rest of this holiday weekend! š
So happy you finished! You should be proud of all your running accomplishments! š I’m running my first half marathon on Sunday!
Great job! Be very proud of yourself – even though you didn’t PR you finished and that is an accomplishment in itself.
Enjoy today – hopefully you have some time to relax!
Hey, even though you didn’t PR, you still did pretty darn amazing! Double amazing conisdering the conditions! There is nothing worse than running in hot humid weather. Ew! š
2hr3 is still an awesome time! And regardless, a half marathon is a half marathon – it’s an awesome achievement š
Well done!
I love how short and sweet this post is, because that’s all there is to say about that race! It was so hot and humid I think I blacked out about the rest of it. Didn’t finish near my goal, but I’m glad I finished because when I crossed people were collapsing left and right. Question, though, did you find the water stops to be highly unorganized? Several had no water when I was there and on a day as hot and humid as that I thought it was concerning. I also didn’t get a metal ;(
@gabriella @ embracement: The water stations were pretty good when I went through them. There were a ton of volunteers, so it seemed to go smoothly. What happened with the medals? Did they run out?
@Tina: I don’t think so I finished in 2:05 so I doubt they were out but I just found it very unorganized at the end and I think since so many people just wanted to pass out at that point the last thing I wanted to do was search for a metal. Plus, I got yelled at whenever I walked in a direction they didn’t like.
@gabriella @ embracement:
The water stations were a mess when I went through them! Too many volunteers with not enough arms. They were crowding in front of the table and not handing out the cups very efficiently. It was really frustrating to see rows and rows of full cups behind them but not be allowed to grab your own. Especially in that heat!
@Michelle C: That happened to me at the water stations too! I also ended up leaving the finishers area without a medal because I never saw where they were handed out. Once outside I asked someone who had one where I was supposed to go so I had to fight my way back inside and got in trouble for it. Just not the best way to end a long rough 13.1 miles
@casey: Same happened to me. I thought the people at the end were very rude. I tried to go back in to get another cup of water and wasn’t even allowed to do that let alone get a metal.
@casey:
That’s awful. The medals were being handed out by girl and boy scouts that were huddled in a corner. They were cute, but overwhelmed by all the sweaty, tired people. You shouldn’t have had to fight for anything at the end of that! (The end volunteers were kind of gruff and yell-ey.)
@Michelle C: EXACTLY. It was so annoying to see a jug of water and a cup empty, I just wanted to pour my own and move one! I’ve hear a lot of mixed reviews about it, but I just feel like a race at this time of year you should be more than prepared to hand people multiple cups of water if they want it in that heat, not to mention I think they should be every mile. I saw multiple people passed out with NO one helping them at all. I just feel like when you plan a race for the end of May you should expect and prepare for these conditions.
@gabriella @ embracement:
I said the same thing to my roommate. That as a 5 miler, it was fine, but you need to be better then fine in these hot conditions. I can’t believe there was no one helping the people passed out! That’s awful!
I also agree there needs to be water every mile at least for the half marathoners!
@gabriella @ embracement: I was about 5 minutes behind you….and I saw a lot of people passed out with help…so maybe it just took a couple minutes to get the EMTs and police/help to the people. The end was a bit disorganized. That sucks you didn’t get a medal š They were after the food/water at the end before you walked out.
@Jules: True, but my sister who is a 4th year med student was at the end with my parents, saw a girl passed out shaking with dehydration, try to stand and collapse. NO one came to help her, my sister almost jumped the blockade but another runner actually ended up picking her up. I find that more that absurd. I don’t think people truly realize how dangerous both dehydration and heat exhaustion truly are. Those minutes are crucial to get fluids into a person.
I agree – running IS a gift! Congrats on reaching your goal Tina, and running this race pain-free. Happy Memorial Day!
Congrats Tina! I thought I was the only one who thought yesterday race was a bit hard due to the hot and humid weather. I was bummed out that I didn’t set a new PR, but it was such a fun race š
Congrats! yesterday’s weather was brutal for a race. that’s a great time and glad your knee held up!
I like your attitude. Not every run is going to be a PR and while sometimes that’s disappointing, I’m glad you didn’t let it get to you. Plus, running in the heat is awful.
It was so brutal out there. I managed to PR..by only 4 seconds. As much as I like running through Boston, I think I’ll stick to half marathons in the fall. š
Congrats on a great time!!
Congratulations! As someone who is also plagued by an IT/knee problem I agree wholeheartedly that running (pain free) is a gift! Will you promise to continue to keep us posted on what you’re doing to heal your knee? Thanks!
Congratulations! Great job! It is super tough to exercise in the heat/humidity, especially when it’s just turned hot, so you aren’t used to it.
Congrats! Despite being jealous at packet pick up that I didn’t sign up for the half, I was happy yesterday that I only had to run the 5 miler. At times it was so muggy that I felt like I was breathing water! Good job on finishing in that!
And I love the reminder that running is a gift. I’m coming off a quad injury and my first pain free run back that’s all I kept thinking. “I may be slow. I may have lost fitness, but I’m SO happy just to be running.” š
great job! It shows you need to be grateful & just live life to the fullest
Congrats on the race, Tina! I just admire the fact that you just got out there and did it at all. š
congrats on finishing! I did that race last year and it was very warm also. It totally changes the ball game when it gets hot out.
Great job! You finished (and you’re time is good too, just not your PR). I love your running headband! It’s so colorful!
Way to be! And so positive! Love that! Enjoy your Memorial Day!
It sounds like you did a good job of adjusting your pace accordingly. Remember, your pace needs to go UP to account for heat and humidity, or you are putting yourself in dangerous territory! You can’t PR every time, and my coach would tell you it’s dangerous to even attempt a PR if it’s hot and humid.
Not to sound like a total nutcase, but I saw you as we were driving in (I did the 5 mile). I thought I would seem like a crazy person if I stopped the car while you were waiting to cross the street to say hi, so I didn’t! It was a fun race, congrats!
Congrats! I’m trying to lower my half marathon time this fall!
I am sure that Mal and Murphy are proud just the same. I am sure are also icing the crap out of your knee today!
Congrats on finishing your race with a SMILE on your face…the BEST way to finish. Better than a PR for me anyway š
yey for finishing with a smile on your face, that’s most important! š
That Bondi Band is so retro! Great job with your half marathon and LISTENING to your body! š Also, do you think your running specialist could recommend one in NYC? We’re trying to find one for Bo!
@Ash Bear: I bet he could point you in the right direction! Here’s his email: admin@bostonrunningcenter.com
Congrats on finishing the race! š
And you still ran the half faster than I will ever run one in my life — congrats!!!
you’ve probably already covered this and i’m totally spacing, but WHERE did you get that adorable headband?! so cute!
@Heather (Heather’s Dish): OpenSky! We actually did a sweet deal on them last week! https://opensky.com/carrotsncake/collection/bondi-band-bundle
Congrats Tina!!! Every race can’t end in a PR. You said it best “Running is a gift”.
Congrats! The heat + humidity was horrible in Boston yesterday – go you for finishing in a little over 2 hours. It would’ve taken me way longer!
Awesome job Tina!! It was BRian and my first half marathon, and how and humid indeed!!! I’m suprised reading all those comments above! I didn’t have any trouble getting water/gatorade at any of the stations! It was scary seeing people passed out though, but we had fun š
I love you attitude!! š
That Boston humidity is KILLER, I’m impressed by everyone who finished!
Ran it yesterday- brutal weather and I’m still feeling the effects (1st half). Pretty proud of myself, though. The medals were so cool- can’t wait to show my husband’s grandfather, a former Boston cop.
I heard it was TOUGH! Good job pushing through and celebrating no knee pain. I have no doubt there will be many more races in your future you runna stunna!
Congrats!! Your knee not hurting may be the bigger accomplishment! We can’t always set PRs-otherwise life would be boring!
Congrats at a race that you completed despite the awful conditions! Maybe you didn’t PR, but finishing a half-marathon in a blessing in itself š
I ran a humid half marathon yesterday as well and really had to fight for it in the humidity! Congratulations on listening to your body and finishing it up. Glad to hear your knee didn’t bother you!