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I Ran a Half Marathon!

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So I did it…I ran a half marathon.  And just four months ago I couldn’t even run a mile.  And I did 13.1.  I wish I felt a little more impressed with myself, but I guess I’m just that person who can never be satisfied.  But it’s what keeps me going, keeps me motivated to do better and try harder.  And this is possibly the most unflattering picture of me ever…enjoy!

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So here’s the play-by-play.  I woke up at about 6 am and got dressed–black running tights,  Albion Fit tank, the “Haunted Half” long sleeve shirt, and my Mizuno running shoes.  Oh, and my trusty Ryobi hat.  Gotta represent my DIY!  Sure, I could have dressed up in a funny costume but I couldn’t think of anything to wear before I ran out of time.  Plus it would be hard to run in a costume.

So I drove up to the Utah State Capitol where I waited for a bus to take me up the canyon.  It was freezing and the bus took forever.  But I made a friend while I waited and we kept each other company, even after we rode the bus up and then had to wait another half hour in the canyon, which was probably 25 degrees.  Good thing there were over a 1000 people there to share the body heat!

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The race began and I started off at a pretty good pace…I’m not fast though.  It was downhill for about 6 miles and all was well…until about 5 miles.  I felt pain in my gut and I needed a bathroom.  I stopped at the checkpoint but the line for the bathroom was long and SLOW.  I figured I could just ignore the pains and maybe they would go away.

Nope.  I HAD to stop at mile 7 and waited, and waited, and waited.  Then finally it was my turn and I wasn’t exactly quick either.  So that put me WAY behind but I felt so much better after.

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The next five miles had lots of steep hills which I wasn’t expecting since they didn’t appear on the elevation map.  To be honest, I walked up most of the hills, just like 95% of the runners did as well.  It was fun to gauge myself according to who I was behind–whether it was the Duck Dynasty girls or the Crayons.

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I tried really hard to run the entire last 3 miles but I was SO tired so I took a few breaks.  But I sprinted the last little bit and my final time was 2:29.  Like I said, I’m really not a fast runner.  And that bathroom break took at least 15 minutes.  But I finished, and I got my Ghost medal and hugged my family.  And my husband said, “Wow, you’re soaked.”

After it was over, my legs were pure liquid and my stomach ached.  Plus I was chafed in all sorts of places.  And the rest of the day I had Halloween parties right and left.  It was sort of torturous.  My legs are still sore but at least I’m not walking like a newborn pony.  I actually think I could do another one sometime.  But not for awhile.

I’m going to switch up my exercise routine for the winter, since I don’t like running outside in the cold and dark.  Plus I enjoy doing other things like yoga, weights, and interval training.  But I’m sure when the spring comes I will start up again.  I really love getting up with the sun, even at 6 am, and running alone outside in the sunrise.

I know–this post was so inspiring right?  I know, I know.  But I’m not going to lie and say that running is all runner’s highs and butterflies.  It’s kind of like being pregnant:  Starts off a little rocky, gets better, gets worse, then when it’s done you don’t want to do it again for a long time.  But it is worth it.  Running a half marathon is something I never, EVER thought I would be able to do.  I always hated running and was always terrible at it.  I’m not great at it now, but with a little practice, I achieved something amazing.  And I really believe that anyone with reasonably good health can do it.

12 Comments

  1. It was inspiring!! I’m so bummed, because I don’t do treadmills—like ever. Even when I was cross country runner there were no treadmills. I finally built up to 2 miles and am feeling good, but I don’t like the dark or the cold, so time to switch it up. I’m thinking weights, elliptical and maybe some Jillian Michaels. Congrats on your half!

  2. Thank you for telling the whole story! I keep hearing from friends that marathons are all roses and candy… That would be me at the five mile mark too! Glad to know that I wouldn’t be alone 😉

  3. That so awesome Heidi–congrats! I am not a runner, and have no desire to become one, but I’m trying to get healthy in other ways. Definitely a cool accomplishment to have!

  4. Congrats!! I just finished my first half marathon on the 20th and your analogy about it being like pregnancy is spot on! 🙂

  5. Kathleen Lambert says:

    Congratulations…you did good. As long as you accomplished your goals (no matter how big or little) you are amazing. Loved you description of pregnacy….lol.

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Totally, just like pregnancy. Ha!

  6. Hi there,

    I ran my first 1/2 in like 2004 and at the event the Program Manager for the Marine Corp Marathon was there giving away free entries to the MC Marathon. Now I had said no marathons but after my 2d 1/2 6 months later I thought, no problem! Well 2 marathons, countless 1/2’s later, the half is still my favourite. And your time is amazing for a first timer. Like you, I am a fair weather runner, and so in the winter I do Bob Harper Warrior and now his Skinny workouts because they are great for cross training and I do 2 short runs during the week and a longer run on the weekend to maintain. Next year, probably another half. So keep going, you are amazing!

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Awesome! You sound like you’re super fit. I hope I can keep up with running during the long harsh winter months!

  7. Good job Heidi, at least you did it. I find most people talk about doing something, but do little of it. Keep us posted on future events.

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Thanks! That’s what I thought–it wasn’t the best time ever but I did it, and I did it after only 4 months of running. I love being able to accomplish things I never thought I could do.

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