Thoughts...

So while I was running today I thought about the half marathon that I ran last Saturday....and about all of the surprising things about the whole experience. I mean, I guess the whole thing was really just one big surprising adventure, because it was something I had never done before! But, anyway, there were many things I felt like recording for myself...I bet someday down the road after I have run like 20 half marathons (or even marathons!), I will laugh at these things...so here we go!

1) I got emotional! When I saw the 11 mile marker and began running the 12th mile of the race, I teared up a bit. This completely caught me off guard and of course I kept myself in check and got rid of those almost-tears quickly ;). 11 miles is the most I'd ever run at one time prior to the half marathon last Saturday....so it was embarking on some uncharted territory at that point. It was pretty amazing, really....I was SO excited to be doing something that I had never done before. I didn't really get emotional at the end...just excited! Oh, and tired ;)

2) The bottoms of my feet didn't hurt. I had heard from more than one person that after completing races of that distance the bottoms of your feet typically hurt from the pounding. The right side (outside) of my right foot hurt a bit because I got a small blister, but other than that my feet were in really good shape. In fact, the pedicure that I got in early March before we went to AZ was actually still largely intact, believe it or not! Later that day when I went over to a friend's house for a party someone asked me, "Did you get a pedicure after the race today?" because apparently my toes looked more than decent. WEIRD! I think the whole thing was affected by the fact that I had gotten new shoes (Adidas Boost) the previous weekend and had just been running on them for one week. So, basically, they were perfectly broken in by the end of the race!

3) People throw away their clothes. I had talked to my sister a few days before the race about the weather (it was forcasted to be cold) and what to wear. Megan had done a half marathon in St. Louis a few years prior so I thought she would at least know what to do. She said that during that event, people wore layers and shed their layers as they ran. Basically, they must have worn things on the top layer(s) that they didn't really care about losing as much and just threw them off onto the road when they got a bit hot or uncomfortable. I didn't really believe this til I saw it with my own eyes. Indeed, during the race people were shedding long-sleeved shirts, jackets, gloves (even expensive-looking Nike gloves!), etc. WEIRD! I did wear a pair of inexpensive (maybe $3 at the very most) thin gloves that I did cast aside after the 3rd mile or so...and felt wasteful doing just that. I couldn't imagine throwing away a shirt or anything like that! As we passed many churches along the route I thought to myself that the churches should go around after the race and collect all of the cast-aside clothing items to donate to charities.

4) It was fun! Ok, I had a feeling I would have a great time and would think the experience was fun...or I wouldn't have signed up! However, I wasn't aware of just how much fun it would be! It was sooo festive, and just so exciting! I really can't wait til my next half marathon, or running event in general. I have definitely caught the running bug, if there is such a thing ;). The running community is fun...but of course it has its share of odd-balls as well! ;)

5) I CAN DO IT! I ran the ENTIRE 13.1 mile race WITHOUT stopping...no potty breaks (wow, pre-Celiac diagnosis I couldn't imagine such a luxury!!!), no walking...no giving up! I DID IT! It was really one of the proudest moments of my life. Ok, ok...I know it wasn't really THAT big of a deal. After all, lots of people run half marathons all of the time...heck, lots of people run marathons or even those crazy 200 mile super marathons. But, to me...this was a big deal.

Ok, that's all for now...I need to go to bed. I am TIRED!! I am sure I might have more to add to this later.

I am not sure how long I should let myself "rest" after a half marathon. The 25th we are running a 5k, the Race to Wrigley...so not a huge deal, but I don't want to be completely dead and not do at least decently at that event! On Sunday (the day after the half), I took it pretty easy...I just did 22 minutes on a recumbant bike at Jeremy's parents' house after Easter dinner. Monday I did 65 minutes on the eliptical, I took Tuesday (yesterday) off, and today I ran 4.5-5 miles outside (it was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!)....so I have stayed active for sure, but I haven't been working too hard. I am not really sure what the best thing to do is.

Anyway, bedtime for real now!

Bring on the 26.2! ;)

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

Me and my sister, Megan, before the Illinois Marathon (we both ran the half marathon) in Champaign, IL....
This was taken at 6:45 am, right when we arrived in one of the parking lots (you can see Assembly Hall in the background!) and met up with some high school friends of hers...she looks WAY too chipper for that early and for how COLD it was out there!!! :)

Afterwards....yeah, we were a little tired. ;)

...but we were SO proud of ourselves! This was my FIRST time running 13.1 miles and I did it in approx. one hour and 57 minutes. Not too shabby...I was pretty proud of myself! It was Megan's second time and she ran it in approximately one hour and 47 minutes. We stayed together for about 4.1 miles and then I slacked off ;). She ran a half in St. Louis approx 3 years ago.

And here we are again, looking all civilized-like this time around! ;)

I can't wait 'til the next one! AND, bring on the 26.2! I CAN DO IT!!!!!!

Well...

The moment of truth is ALMOST here! My first half marathon is just around the corner...Saturday!!! That means I have just TWO training days left. I ran 7 miles tonight and felt great. I hope that's a good sign :)

I am just hoping to finish without having to walk at all...and without dying ;).