My run isn't fast or pretty but I am determined to work on it even though I am not a natural runner and I don't particularly like running to begin with. When I first started training for this race months ago I was literally starting from scractch. My first week of training I ran 3 times a week at 1.5 miles each. I remember thinking back then how the hell I was going to get through 13.1 miles.

This is my first half marathon, shoot....first run over 11 miles period. I didn't have any time goals, I really had no idea how slow I would run. When I signed up for the RnR, I put my estimated time as 2:45:52, (12:39 mm) My goals were to just run the whole darn thing and not walk. Game plan: Slow, steady and finish strong.

Started off VERY slowly, even for me and even the walkers were passing me up! I kept repeating to myself that I needed to warm up first and to take the first 2-3 miles slow to warm up my legs. I started off with friend and teamate Lea for the first 3 miles. After the first 3 miles, my legs felt warmed up so I decided to pick up the pace a little. I ended up leaving Lea (after she gave me her blessing) and was on my own from there on out. I was going completely by RPE, I used my ipod instead of iphone, and didn't look at my watch.

Miles 3-9 I felt great, nice easy pace, breathing controlled and even. Found my zone and just ran, took in the scenery, bands, and actually passed some people who were NOT walkers, ha! Took first gu around mile 6ish. Took second gu at the first aid station that offered it which I think was after mile 7. This is the one and only time I took a few walk steps. Lots of congestion at this station for the gu so I had to wait in line for a few seconds.

Miles 10-13.1 were brutal, not going to even lie. This is where I started to feel everything, the bottoms of my feet, my toes, ankles, calves, hips, lower back, side cramp....I was HURTING. The last 3 miles I wanted to walk so badly and I had to repeat every mantra/saying that I knew so I wouldn't stop and keep moving forward. I knew if I walked the probability of me starting back up with running would be slim to none. So, I ran with all that I had left the last entire 3.1 miles even when my body was screaming to stop.

I would say, maybe hit the full 12 mile run that I had scheduled in my training plan 2 wks out from race, I only made 11 due to random issues. Oh, and smile at the finish line, I was hurting really badly crossing the finish, so I'm sure my pics are going to look horrible. Other than that, I'm really happy with my effort with my first half marathon. My half pace is only 19 seconds slower per mile than my 10k race I did in January.

Walked (shuffled) around, enjoyed post race food, stretched.


I'm just a sucky runner, but I'm a sucky runner that finished a half marathon! :)


Originally I balked at the price and I was a little nervous with this being the inaugraul race but it was worth it. Lots of water stations, tons of race support/volunteers plenty of post race food/drinks and nice goodie bag/freebies at expo. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed myself. I want to do this race again next year, PR of course :)