ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

Marcy and I completed the half-marathon this morning. It was tough. But we did it.

Race Results




The race started at 8 but I had read that they expected 1000 runners this year so we left a bit before 7 to get there a few minutes after 7.


The weather was great and after stretching and walking around for a bit, we got to the starting line and put ourselves at the back of the pack knowing that's where we'd mostly stay.

Miles 1 - 4 weren't too bad but Marcy had a couple of shooting pains in her knee that were particularly bad any time there was a down slope.

Miles 4 - 6.5 were long especially since the path looped around at the half-way point and when we were at mile 4, the leader was going past us the other direction at his mile 9.

Mile 6.5 was a drink station and everybody seemed to walk for a few seconds which is hard when your muscles aren't used to stopping and starting again.

Miles 6.5 - 8 were ok until Marcy's knee just wouldn't let her keep running. She told me to keep going so I did. I thought she would probably take one of the bridges across the river to shortcut back to the finishing area where we could meet up.

Miles 8 - 11 were long for me as I ran alone.

Miles 11 - 12. At mile 11, I just stopped running. My body didn't feel like it could continue any further and my legs felt like lead. Eleven miles is the furthest I had run prior to this race and my body knew it. I did a combination of running and walking during this mile to try to get through it.

Miles 12 - 13. At mile 12, I just wanted to get it done as soon as possible. I started seeing spectators again and could hear the crowds assembled at the finish line. My friend Carrie was up ahead right before the finish line cheering me on as I turned the corner. Then I saw Andy and Blake and then the finish line and ran through the arches. They handed me the medal and then I saw Payton and she was thoughtful enough to have a cup of water ready for me. I guzzled it down and had to find a place to sit.



Andy asked where Marcy was and I said that I wasn't sure but I thought she probably would take one of the bridges because her knee wouldn't make it. By the time I grabbed a banana and another water and found a place to sit, I saw Marcy coming and couldn't believe it. She was running and she was finishing. She was clearly in pain but she made it. Unbelievable. I didn't have any injuries and it was very hard for me. I can't imagine how hard it was for her.

Post-race, we came home and took the best showers of our lives and then ate the best pizza of our lives and then took the best naps ever. It felt so good to rest. The blisters and aching legs and feet are going to linger with us for a bit. Good thing we both have Monday off!

It will come as no surprise to anybody that I'm really glad the half-marathon is over. I haven't been in a good state of mind about running for about 4-6 weeks and had to go into manual override to get this far. In hindsight, I do wonder if it was a bit ambitious to train for a half-marathon within 6 months of being unable to run 1/8 mile. I think it was physically possible (obviously because I did it) but mentally it was probably what made me really hate running recently. If I were to do it over again, I would probably have taken it slower - train for a few 5k races, train for a couple of 10k races and then maybe do a half-marathon within a year instead of 6 months.

As I've said before, I plan to do 12 weeks of the Body for Life plan which will let me get back to lifting weights and doing just 20 minutes of cardio at a time. I'm told I will miss running. I can't see it right now but look forward to taking the time off to find out.