Accomplishment!

Before I talk about today - I need to thank Neal and Jackie for their lengthy phone conversations last night. Their enouragment - making me laugh, and putting my at ease - helped enourmously.

Today I set out and completed one more thing on my Thirty Before Thirty list. I completed the Grand Rapids Metro Health Half Marathon. I feel surprisingly well -though I could use a massage.

Today I woke up, ready to go but nervous as hell. I was able to get dressed and choke down some sort of nourishment and energy pills. It was freezing this morning, 32 degrees. The walk to the Y was a bit of a wake up call - good God it was cold.
As I made my way to the Y and stood there with the rest of the runners, I looked around and freaked out. Thankfully I had my parents with me. I almost turned around and went home. I was so nervous and freaked out that I nearly broke down into tears. What the hell did I think I was doing? I mean seriously! 13.1 miles - I must be certifiable.

Waiting in the runners chute was pur agony. I was cold and scared - two things I don't want to be. I know to some people it may seem silly, but I wore my Grandmothers Ring - I always wear it when I feel like I need extra strength or something amazing is happening - she was and always will be my hero. Good Ol' Grandma was looking down on me and sent me Pam. Pam was great - a total seasoned runner, who actually ran the Chicago 1/2 last year and the Grand Rapids full last year. This year she strained her calf muscle, so she was only doing the 1/2 - and at a slower pace. Bless her - Pam paced me and enouraged me the whole way.

I was able to focus on those I dedicated the miles to, and she was always ask me, at each mile who this one was for.

Miles 1-4 were a breeze - I was averaging about an 11 minute mile and feeling good. The sun was rising and the trees were changing - it was really a great sceninc route. At this point I was feeling great - then came the hills at mile 5 - mind you these weren't big hills, but ask anyone who runs - inclines SUCK! However, there were gummy bears at mile 6 so I had to keep going. I love gummy bears! So to mile 6 I made it! I needed that glucouse boost.

My knee was feeling great and I was plugging along. My legs were still feeling strong. Then there was mile 9 - again glucose levels were way down. Then it was time to choke down some GU - damn that stuff was nasty! I could feel the sugar all over my teeth. I was ok but by the time mile 10 hit I was hitting the wall. My legs were like jello and I really just needed to quit - I wanted to quit - but all I had left was 3 miles - I had to do it.

Miles 10-12 were tough. I walked some of them and slowed my pace to a 12 minute mile. Mile 12 I dug, dug deeper than I have ever dug before. I didn't think I had it in me. By this time I had sent Pam ahead - I needed to do this on my own. So with tears in my eyes, I dug - this last mile was for me - I deserved it, I needed to do this. And 2 hours and 36 minutes (officialy times not in yet) I saw mom standing there cheering me on and dad at the finish line with a camera - and a huge hug. It took all I had not to completely burst into tears. I had done it! My knee held out (hurts like hell now) and I completed my first half marathon!

The feeling of accomplishment and strength I have are unbelievable! Yes, even though I feel sore and I'm in some pain, I am looking forward to hitting the pavement again.

My next race will be on Thanksgiving Morning - the Pumpkin Plod in Highland, a 10k.

Official results and photos to be posted soon.