RunTheBluegrass Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I actually felt decent for the first 4 miles. I wish I wouldve felt worse as I wouldve taken the right turn option to run the 7 miler instead of the full 13.1. As I turned left, to continue my 13.1 distance, I was greated with a tough, long uphill. By mile 5, I was wondering if I was going to finish. I was maintaining a 13 minute mile pace, as I was trying to finish at 3 hours, but right as I passed the 6 mile marker, the "3 hour" group passed me and left me struggling to climb yet another hill. Just another blow to my already damaged game plan.
Up another hill, down to another base of yet another hill, up that one and about half way up, THE HALF WAY POINT!! Holy CRAP!! (bad word choice there considering my last coupld days) I actually made it half way. Now if I wouldve taken that right earlier, I would almost be done. But I continued on.
Up, down, up, then up some more, these hills were relentless on my body and mind. I couldnt enjoy the surrounding areas as much as I wanted, because I was only looking forward a few feet as these hills have sucked my will out of me. I would look ahead and see runners heading up yet one more twisting, climbing FN HILL!! D-MN these hills and D-MN myself for not dropping out earlier! Stupid, stupid! WTF was I thinking? I knew I was in no shape to "run" and I HATED my current situation. But now, miles from no where, I had no choie to carry on.
At each aid station, I would try and eat a cliff bar, I took a couple bites and then throw the rest down. I drank some water, but not enough. I found myself being thristy and looking forward to the next aid station, but my stomach kept reminding me that I shouldve stayed home.
Mile 8 was tough, hell, this whole run was rough. But mile 8 just plan sucked. I was over half way, but 7 was not 10 or 11. I kept telling myself, one more, try for one more. So my tired, aching for fuel, legs kept moving. I was reduced to a slow walk as the hills and lack of any nutrition have left me in bad situation. Was this a BONK? I have no idea as I have nothing to go on. This is my first HM!! So in my ignorant state, I continued on.
Another aid station, some more water and NASTY "Gatorade". I would have Killed for a Coke or snickers bar. My stomach was acting up regardless of what I ate, so at least I would have enjoyed some yummy goodness going down.
Continue on, stop and bend over to do some stretching and just give my body another pose to make ALL my muscles ache. It actually felt good to have other parts of my body hurt...is that normal?
As I was squatting down, I actually had a car slow down and ask me, "Are you ready to quit?" "QUIT?!" Are you FN INSANE! I thought to myself. Im at mile 8 almost 10 and Im being asked if I wanna QUIT!! How DARE YOU!!!
I merely said "no thank you, I think I can make it" and off went my salvation to a blissful recovery.
I watched them head up a hill to two ladies that passed me earlier, and they got in. WTF!? You two gave up? You passed me and yet you two are giving up?!? Just one more nail in my coffin. Im slowly being torn down and stripped of any reason on why to continue.
I keep telling myself, I will quit if "this" happens or Ill accept the next ride if they come along.
No rides showed up, but a couple "angels" showed up and handed me a bottle of water and a bit later, a nasty tasting Gel. The lady and couple were AWESOME and told me, you quit sweating, you HAVE to give up! She said she gave up on mile 22 of a marathon as she was no longer sweating. I thought she wss crazy, but I considered her advice.
Mile 9. Ughh, when will this end? More hills, water and Nasty watered down "Gatorade". Believe me, it tasted nothing like Gatorade. I was cussing myself as I was needing fuel but my stomach was saying no way and this Gatorade was just taunting me even more. D-MN YOU, YOU DISGUSTING NON GATORADE TASTING DRINK! Im craving GATORADE and Im handed this CRAP!! Oh and Im at the bottom of yet another Hill...UGH!! Im done, where the hell is the safety cart?? Im ready to go the hell home and be done!! I HATE this race and I can take no more!!
I tell myself, just keep walking and someone will be by soon.
Mile 10. No cart rescue. So I continue on. Im "almost there" I think Im in some kinda of survial mode at this point. Almost is less than .1 miles, not 3.1 miles!
I pass another aid station (last one) and they ask me, Are you ok? Do you need anything? I tell them, "A ride" and keep walking. Although I grinned and kept walking, I swear if they said, ok, we can do that, I would have gave up. But they said taht I was almost there, good job yadda yadda. So I continued on. About 100 yards pass them, I saw looked down the hill and saw mile 11 marker. I stopped and stretched and looked back. Its uphill back to the aid station, so I dont wanna go that way. Its downhill for a bit and MAYBE Ill be lucky and be done with the big hills.
"ALMOST THERE!!" A ladies voice yelled
Huh? What? I was brought back to reality as I was contemplating walking back to the aid station.
I was being passed by an older lady who herself looked tired.
"WE ARE ALMOST DONE!" she said breathing heavy.
I felt bad as I wasnt breathing heavy, I was just wiped out.
YES WE ARE! I commeneted back as I picked up my pace to match hers. It was a struggle, but I was determnined she and I were going to FINISH THIS RACE!
We chatted back and forth and then it was like POOF, Mile 12 marker! That was quick! My aching legs, hips, feet and shoulders were on notice that this walking death is almost done!! Our converstion and small chit chat was making these last miles go by with less doom and gloom. I was thankful for her, but in my state, I didnt get her name.
I knew she is living in the Augusta GA area and she said a few times that this is the hardest HM she has ever done. She has done quit a few and this, although IS a beautiful run, is a tough one.
One more long gradual hill and then there is a right turn with a sign that says, "Final Furlong"
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT!! We make the turn and I see it, I see the FINISH LINE off in the distance!
She has a couple of her family members that have run and finished already waiting for her just ahead. So I tell her Thank you for the conversation good luck and I start shuffling my feet just a bit faster. I wouldnt call it a run, I wouldnt even call it a jog. More like moving my feet just a tad faster than a slow walk.
I come to the final right hander and I see it. Its the finish line just ahead!! But what hit me harder was seeing my friends and their kids on the side line! I was overcome with emotion as I made my way towards the finsih line and passing them. They were high fiving and yelling and cheering and even their 3 year old came out to cheer me on.
COME ON LEGS!! There was nothing left. I quick shuffled my aching body across the finish line! I got my D-MN medal for FINISHING!!
The time on the clock said 3:54. Which surprised me, as I thought it wouldve been 5 hours! My original goal, earlier in the week, was to be done under 3. But seeing as I had zero fuel for the run, I was THRILLED to just finish this.

I will NOT try this again if I am sick the night before and the day of the race.

Ate a banana, sat on a chair, stretched my legs a bit and made my way to the toilet. My stomach was fighting me for the past 2 days.


Being sick and no nutrition in my body.


I WILL be back next year! My being sick the night before and during the race put me through Hell on race day. It was my first HM so I knew no better than to give up. I just kept going and pushing just to finish, when I should have never started in the first place.
Im hoping next year to be Healthy and ready to race and conquer this Beautiful, yet very Hilly run.