EC Half Marathon
Back in February, I posted about my distance running class I was enrolled in this semester. It was a two credit class that met every Tuesday for an in-class lecture, and every Saturday morning for a group distance run. The final exam for the class took place this past weekend where my classmates and I ran the Eau Claire Half or Full Marathon.
Leading up to the race, the weather report was predicting 50º and cloudy. Somehow, the skies opened up right as the gun went off and by the end of the race it was 65º and sunny, a glorious day for running.
The race went so much better than I was expecting! My goal time was 2:15. With sunny skies above and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I ended up running a 2:02:09, close to my lofty goal of breaking 2 hours!
The course is absolutely beautiful, criss-crossing the Chippewa River several times before finishing through UW-Eau Claire’s campus on a stretch appropriately labeled “The Blugold Mile”. Hundreds of students line the course to cheer on runners all morning long, creating an experience unlike any other.
As someone new to the sport of distance running, it was nice to have the support of two dedicated professors who are seasoned runners and a class of over 100 students who are traveling the same journey along with me. The class has taught me much more than how to run with correct form and avoid injuries. I’ve learned how to set goals and be disciplined. I’ve learned that the most rewarding things in life require pain, sacrifice, and hard work. And I’ve learned a lot about myself, and what I’m capable of achieving.
Overall, this has been one of my favorite experiences of my college career, and I’ve had a lot of experiences during my time in college. It’s given me a new hobby and a new outlook on life, and I’ve made some great friends along the way.