Last Sunday, I finally checked off a big goal on my life list: I completed my first half marathon! The day was surreal and there are so many things I don’t want to forget:
I want to remember…how nervous I was the entire week prior to the race. I was so excited, but the unknown absolutely terrified me. Was I ready for this? Had I trained properly? Would I embarrass myself?
I want to remember…my two big goals for the race: Cross that finish line. Run smart so you don’t need to be in a medic’s tent with a thermometer up your bum. I had a preferred finish time as well, but that wasn’t nearly as important.
I want to remember…being wide awake at 4:30 after a restless night’s sleep. I got myself ready and ate my peanut butter toast with banana, then got the kids up with Mark and my dad. We were out the door by 5:30.
I want to remember…the weather! By 7am, temps were already in the 70s, with a real feel of 90 and 98% humidity. I was not prepared for the heat, but thankful that I chose to wear a Camelbak. It allowed me to bypass some of the water stations and helped me mentally, knowing I could hydrate at any time.
I want to remember…how my music suddenly stopped working right after passing the starting line. I keep my phone in my Camelbak, which is really inconvenient to take on and off (especially with so many people around!), so I was unable to figure out what went wrong. I remember praying, “Okay, Lord, you’ve got my attention. I guess we’ll be talking a lot the next two hours.”
I want to remember…my dad’s advice (he’s the runner I hope to be someday!): “Just focus on one mile at a time.” Because I didn’t have my music to distract me, I made Dr. Seuss-like rhymes for myself for every mile: “You’ve done three, now you can four! You’re doing great, what’s one more?” Ridiculous, but it worked.
I want to remember…feeling pretty strong throughout most of the race. My pace was much slower than I hoped, but it was also expected due to the heat. The course was beautiful, weaving through neighborhoods and downtown Fredericksburg. Fatigue did set in around miles 10 and 11, which unfortunately coincided with “Hospital Hill”, the hardest part of the race. I walked more than I wanted, but tried not to beat myself up over it.
I want to remember…mile 12, which was lined with photos of fallen soldiers and Marines. There were also at least 50 people from Wear Blue: Run to Remember holding American flags with the names of the fallen service members embroidered onto ribbons attached to each flag. It was moving and humbling.
I want to remember…coming around the last big bend to see my sweet little family waiting to cheer me on. I was so happy to see them, and then my dad a little further along the course! I definitely needed that little boost at the end!
I want to remember…when I hugged Sophia after finishing, she said, “You a good runner, Mama”. And when I thanked J for being so patient and waiting for me to finish the race, he said, “I wouldn’t miss your race ever ever.”
So thankful for a body that has proven to do so much more than I ever thought possible. I can’t wait to run another soon!
