Churchill’s Half Marathon 2015!
Heeeeeeey! i did it! I finished half marathon #6!
If you recall, I’ve run this race before and did not have a good time at all. It was my first half marathon, and I was not really ready to deal with the challenge of the hills. That paired with the wind and running the whole thing completely alone, I can’t say I was looking forward to returning.
I did, though, and I’m glad I did! I actually had a good time running this race? What??
I was so fortunate to have family and friends support me on this course. It was amazing. My husband and his mom came with me in the morning, which was so nice! We even saw someone she used to work with. She took a photo of us from above:
it kinda looks like i’m scratching my hiney so, that’s ...something XD haha.
Here’s me and John in the high school at the starting line :D he’s been too sweet to me during all this, because I can really be a monster at the end of training.
We gathered out in the chilly morning and got underway!
Around mile 1 or so I noticed a girl having some trouble, I thought she might have had a dry mouth and I offered her my extra piece of gum. Turns out she just had allergies and had it under control. This started a 10 mile rabbiting friendship where we kind of paced each other and chatted occasionally. I liked her a lot! She even found a way to contact me this morning, which was so sweet. You can see her here with me around mile 8 as we crossed the bridge:
The first 10 miles really flew by because I had such nice company. Unfortunately I was going a little faster than I should have, and the last 5k really kicked my ass. It’s very hilly at the end, and mostly uphill, and then uphill again..and again...
It also helped that John and his mom went to a few spots along the way to cheer for me! That was so cool!! I felt so lucky to have support out there! The lady that runs our gym at work was also visiting many corners to cheer for all the work folks, so i saw her 3 or 4 times as well! Also saw another coworker who was volunteering at the 7mile water station who had some really nice encouragement to shout :D
Around mile 12, in Sidecut park, I saw a former professor of mine who i always see in the races around town. I’d wondered if she was at this race, but she seemed to be volunteering or maybe just cheering near the end (there was a water station there). I actually stopped to say hi, because i was already falling apart and everything was so tight. I’d walked a bit of the hill at 10, then ran to the park, and had to walk up the really steep ramp to the street. It’s a tough climb.
When i crested the hill i saw Tom and his wife Dore cheering for me and they even brought a sign!! I’d never had anyone make me a sign. it said “Give yourself a hug!!!” xD which is some advice my sister picked up from her pacer at her first half marathon. It helps stretch out the muscles in your back and arms and helps you stand up straight - it’s a really good reset tactic. I always feel better after I do. Here’s me seeing their sign and obeying:
Tom shouted, “you look so much better this time!” - last time i was at mile 12 of this race, my face was, as he said, “a mask of horror” - haha xD
The last mile was tough, I even had to walk a bit on flat ground. I was really out of steam. I managed to run it in though, and the announcer even got my name right! That’s always a plus! Everyone was there at the end for me. Apparently my 10 mile friend was there too, but she had to go recover after cheering me in. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice her.
Here’s the finish line! I was finally done.
As far as pains go, I had practically none. My feet hurt like they always do at the end, and I really could have used more water. John brought me several cups of water as i sat on the curb xD couldn’t get enough.
the medals were nice! I was happy to be done. It was so great to have so much support out on the course.
My finish time was 2:34:22, which is less than 2 minutes away from a PR. Shouldn’t have walked those hills! haha, ohwell. You can’t PR them all!
Here’s the garmin tracking of the course:
And here are my splits:
\o/ Now i get to rest!
