Well, I did it. I survived the half marathon! Truly, the lesson I have gleaned from this whole experience is that training, consistently and correctly, is an absolutely vital component of running a solid race. Clearly, this is a fact I was well aware of before the race, however, it became undeniable in how my body reacted post-race.
I truly am a Taurus, in that I am stubborn as the day is long. I put in nearly three months of training, only to have knee and ankle issues in the last two weeks - I certainly felt that, despite my injuries and lack of running before the race, I should still be able to complete the half successfully.
I completed it, but I don't know if one could call it successfully...my body broke down around mile 9/10, and it became a struggle to run 200 feet, let alone the 3+ miles still left on the course. It was an extremely hot day, which played a huge role in my massive dehydration as well. Unfortunately, after the race I was a completely nauseous mess. I managed to hold it together for the final sprint and pictures with my parents and hubby, but two steps in to walking towards the car, nuclear meltdown happened.
Cut to eight hours after the race, when I was finally able to keep water down and consider eating Saltine crackers.
Whoops.
Needless to say, I will be much better trained and prepared in the future. For now, I am simply pleased that I finished my very first half marathon and that I had my wonderful husband, mother, and father there to cheer me on :)
I'll be running another race (since I just can't get enough of running!) in a week and a half - this time, a 15k. Definitely less than a half marathon, but still a challenging distance. I sincerely hope that it is significantly colder for this race, as the half temperature neared 70 very uncomfortable degrees. I did end up with some pretty ridiculous running shorts tan-lines, though!
And a few weeks after that, my first Turkey Trot! This race, held on Thanksgiving, will be just a 5k that I can run with my hubby! Hopefully, I'll be in swell shape and I may even be able to keep up with him for a bit...
One can dream :)
Speaking of dreaming, I am DROOOLING over Stella and Dot's website right now - the jewelry! Unbelievably adorable. Here are some of my current faves:
The elephants! The bright colors!
I'm seriously obsessed with this wallet and this color!
So simply stunning. Swoon. Sigh.
Since we are approaching that holiday giving season, I have now lost privileges for buying items of personal use, according to the mister. Mister, you better notice these things, and in a hurry!
Tiger's baseball beckons me (we're in the World Series! Game 1!!!! EEEEEEKKKKK!!!!) away for now.
Ta-ta!
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