Country Music 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I had origianlly planned on doing the full marathon for this race. Once I realized my IT band wasn't getting any better I decided to switch to the half. My main goal for coming to do this race was to support the girls I was mentoring from Team In Training. There were 7 girls on the course that day from our chapter,4 were running their first marathon and 3 were doing their first half marathon. I stayed with the marathoners and helped pace them. I had my garmin and we were trying to stay around 12 minute miles. Once I seperated from the marathoners, I ran my 2 fastest splits, so I'm happy about that. My husband ran this race as well and he wasn't trained for it either, but he beat me by 4 minutes!

I'll admit, I wasn't very well trained for this race. Other than running the ING half last month, the longest run I have done in 4 months has been 8 miles. My IT band has been giving me a lot of trouble these past few months and I was concerned I wouldn't fare well in this race at all. ING was less hilly and I had a lot of pain in that race. I did try wearing an IT strap this time and it may have helped.

I drank some accelerade, ate some post race goodies (banana, and a muffin), and got my gear bag. Then I went to the TNT tent. They had some awesome catered food and I ate some potato salad and baked beans. Once the other half marathoners had come in, and we had posed for a few post race pics, I headed out on the marathon course to check on the other 4 girls. I did this marathon last year, and It meant so much to me to have a friend find me on the couse and finish the last leg with me. I wanted to be able to pay it forward if I could. I stopped at mile 24 and waited for each one. I ran with each for a few minutes and then headed back to the 24 mile mark. Once the last girl got to my spot I ran with her. It was my friend Mandy and it was also her 25th birthday. She had been really nervous the night before, breaking into tears a lot and freaking out a little. She looked really good when I saw her, but she was happy to have some company. Around mile 25, our assistant coach met up with us and we all three ran together. Coming on the 26 mile mark, Mandy's sister and her friend were waiting with signs, cheering her on. They ran the last portion with her.


Pacing the marathoners, IT band issues, and lack of training.


This is my favorite race to do. The course is challenging, but it's very pretty, the spectators, bands, cheerleaders, and volunteers are great and the weather is usually very nice. I have done this event for the past 3 years and would easily do it every year if my schedule allows it. There is a huge Team In Training presence at this race and lots of camraderie. This year the Team In Traing Tent had barbecue and all the fixings and it was great! I also think this race is well oraganized and I love the free massage offered before the race to help loosen you up and calm down your nerves.