If I wanted an excuse not to run this race this year, I wouldn’t have had to look very far to find one. On my best day, this is the hardest of the 20 half marathons I’ve done. On a day when my lung capacity is compromised compliments of the flu, my hip is jacked up from chasing a beach ball down a hill at the park the day before and temps are already in the 60’s and climbing at 5am, I could easily have justified staying home. Surely a saner person would have. But this was my first half ever back in 2007. Despite it’s unrelenting hills, no frills/no timing chips and spray-paint starting line, it has gotten in my blood. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try to run, you know easy.
So I went, vacillating between grabbing my packet and going back home to bed and actually staying for the race. I chose the latter. It was a gorgeous, sun-filled day, far better than last year’s gale force hail.
This post March Madness 2011 drowned rat pic is one of my faves.
But was the combination of heat and hills really better? Still, I lined up way in the back and plodded along. The first mile went well. By mile 3 I began taking regular walk breaks, something I promised myself I would do so as not to stress my lungs more than they already were. I still hated doing it though. Did you know one is more susceptible to respiratory infections and pneumonia right after the flu? Yes, I should have stayed home.
By mile 5 (where the hills start to get really hairy) I was thinking about where I could cut over and head back in. I’d had enough of a workout for the day. I couldn’t fathom going another 8+ miles. The sun was strong, trees still in winter mode offered no shade but I was grateful for a breeze. More than a couple of runners had the same idea and were walking back the way we came. Oh but not I.
As much as I wanted to stop, I just couldn’t. Color me stubborn. I thought back to previous years when I spanked this course hard. I’d actually never walked a step of this race before. Were these hills always so giant?
I ran/walked along and appreciated the increased crowd support the nice weather brought. I contemplated what would be the lesser of the evils: DNF or a DFL? I wanted badly to look behind me to see if there was anyone left on the course. They’d probably have someone from the running club bring up the rear anyway.
In the last 5k I started feeling nauseous anytime I ran. So mostly I didn’t. My fingers swelled up like sausages, which I know is either an electrolyte imbalance or hyponotremia. I was drinking Nuun and Accelerade…but I was sweating like a hog as well and had the sodium crust to prove it. I was thankful this wasn’t a full marathon. Plus it could always be hotter…been there done that…and survived….and I will now too.
Don’t let the fake smile fool you.
At last the agony was over. It was a tough day to say the least. A full 50 degrees warmer than last year. Madness for sure.
Finish time: 2:15. A new PW and almost 25 minutes off of my course PR, but not a DNF and far from DFL. Oddly I’m not disappointed in my performance. I’m maybe even a little bit proud of not giving in and quitting because I badly wanted to. Running has definitely helped me develop pitbull-like tenacity that has carried over into other areas of my life. By far it wasn’t my best day. But I still made the best of it.
What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
I’m impressed good for you. Might I add it increases your risk for bronchitis (just monitor just in case).
I would say this is your PR with being sick!! Somtimes the bad races teach you more than the good ones.
Congrats!
Dude. So SO impressed that you gutted that out. I am whining about this heat/humidity already. If it doesn’t get cooler, I am so screwed…NOT READY!
Congratulations on a smart race that you FINISHED. Sometimes that’s all you can do. I hope you are feeling good!
Holy crap, I’m definitely impressed you finished (but also played it safe!). Let’s hope you never have a race like that again.
It sounds to me like you treated that race exactly how it needed to be treated this year. These kinds of races probably do more to make us stronger than the PR ones anyway.
Sometimes just finishing is all you can ask of yourself on a bad day. Go you!!
Your mental toughness is amazing.
That’s a tough one, but way to power through to the end. It shows a lot of guts to eke p going when you are feeling so awful.
You are awesome! A great never give up story! You should be very proud:)
Good job Marcia, you hung in there longer than I would have. I hate heat/humidity and would have whined and bitched the whole way (too bad Beavis and I weren’t there with you to whine in your ear huh?). Congrats for digging deep and powering through a tough race!
Great job! I just raced the Miami Beach 13.1 race at the beginning of March and it was rough for so many reasons. It took everything I had to make the decision to finish.
You should definitely be proud! Way to hang in there and finish the thing. I hope you aren’t feeling any more worse for wear after the fact.
That performance is worthy of the stubborn, pig-headed award. Good on you for not quitting but I hope there are no repercussions and the run helped scare the bugs out of your system.
Way to go Marcia. A 2:15 with walk breaks? That is a really awesome time – especially with all those hills. I hope you are feeling better!
I am proud of you! I feel the same about my PW 1/2 as well. I feel like I did the best I could on that day, the best the conditions and my body would allow, and that each race teaches us something about ourselves- no matter the time.
That sounds miserable! You should absolutely be proud for slogging through and not quitting. I love your last line about the pitbull-like tenacity…like you, I’ve found that determination to get through a tough run or race carries over into the rest of my life. Hope you can rest up and feel 100% soon!
Oh I know how we get once the race starts … I’m here and I’ll finish, no matter what. Still a pretty fantastic time despite feeling poorly and walk breaks – I’m absolutely impressed.
Great job! A 2:15 with lots of walking!?! Far from dead last for sure
You absolutely should feel proud and NOT disappointed! You had everything lined up against a good race and yet you started and finished. Tough day out there, but you are tougher!
Making the best of challenging situations is a testament to one’s depth of character…you are very ‘deep’ in that regard 🙂
Yeah, I ran one of those 2:15 (okay, 2:14) doing the same thing as you with the walk/run thing…but in opposite conditions – like 6 degrees. But I love how you stuck with it and never gave up and looked for a shortcut :). You be badass!!!!
And PLEASE, text me for heaven’s sake ANYTIME! I miss ya tons!
Congrats girl!!
I LOVE this…such a great message and lesson to be learned that running makes us stronger in ways we never imagined possible! great job pushing through everything! amazing!!!
Way to be strong, Marcia – and smart! I’m so impressed you gutted it out and finished!
I totally get not wanting to stop and would be proud to finish as well. Congrats! That is a tough course, it was a freakishly hot day, and you are sick!
I wonder how many people did not finish. What a weird March we are having!
This sounds very hard! You are one tough lady. It is even harder to entertain the giving up thoughts and then not to do it.
Way to stick with it! That race will always be one you will be proud of for your perseverance.
You should definitely feel proud of yourself! Love that “pitbull tenacity!” Great job!!
Great job getting out there! My husband and I also had a tough half marathon this weekend. It was 75 and sunny the entire time! Way too hot, we both had PW too (but it was only our 2nd half so that’s not saying too much).
I’m glad you still got out there and did what you needed to do to take care of yourself!
Wow, great job on the race! I’m always so impressed with your mental and physical toughness. Congrats on the course PR!