One Down...

...Who knows how many more to come.

This past Sunday was the Columbus Marathon. For the first time, I was a participant instead of a spectator. Steve was still participating, but he has his own glorious story. This was my first time running a road half marathon. I had been slacking in my training toward the end and I learned too late that I knew how to run faster, so this race was about finishing and finishing while still enjoying it all.

There were so many people there and it was exciting to be part of the masses to move along at the start of the gun. Silly me tried not to get emotional during the start. Silly me also tried not to get emotional at the finish too. Steve had instructed me to start slow so I could ease into my desired pace, but after starting in the last corral (since I had no previous qualifying time), I fought my way through numerous slower walkers and runners and found myself at an 11-minute mile at the first mile marker. Crap! That was a wee bit too slow. Not quite what Steve had in mind, I'm sure.

I picked up the pace a little, still dodging in between runners and meandered my way through the downtown course. I saw friends scattered here and there as spectators, all positioned unknowingly just-so so I saw someone about every 3 miles. It was perfect! I felt great! I chugged a gel at mile 7 and felt renewed energy either from my mind or the boost in fuel. Still fighting through the crowds, I passed someone telling their friend they were running a 9:34 minute mile pace.

Mile 10 came and went and I realize there was only a 5K left to go! Some of my closest friends were there to spot me on that uphill climb to the finish. My legs were tired and knees ever so slightly complaining, but I stayed focused until crossing the finish line (except that short moment when I almost got all soppy again at the thought of finishing). It was wonderful finally being on the participating side of things and realizing that I had completed my first half marathon road race and completed it having fun and ending with a respectable time (2:06 and change)! There is still room for improvement, but I know how to train more efficiently and my body is letting me push it into running faster. I'm excited to see what comes of it all and I thank all of those for being an inspiration to me.

To close, that was one of the things that struck me while running. A number of the spectators out there I knew who ended up spotting me and cheering were ultra runners. They had hung their trail shoes up for the day to come out and support their loved ones. They were stoic figures along the sides of the roads who stood as evidence for how one can push themselves to their limits. Push the distance. Push the speed. As I test the waters, I know there is a lot more than running. There is the supporting. I can learn so much more than running tips from these athletes.

P.S. Steve PR'd at a 2:53 marathon! Yet another silly me for getting almost emotional moment.