The Hollywood Half Marathon...and the hills go on...

I will begin this entry by saying that after the race Heather read an article that said to write about your experience after a major race such as this...but not the day of the event. You should wait a few days to reflect and then put your experience into words. So, here goes...

Friday morning, April 5th, Heather (my sister-in-law) headed out at 3:30am to the New Orleans airport. We arrived in Los Angeles around 11:30am pacific time. We made our way to the rental car area and then put-putted along in the terrible LA traffic to Universal City where we picked up our race packets, bib number and shirt included! I start my experience here because this is where I really began to get nervous, excited, pumped up! This was the beginning of the race for me and the experience will stay with me for a lifetime.

We were very tired, so we grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the hotel. We didn't want to do much the night before so that we could save our energy for the big day. The race started at 6am pacific time, so again, we would have to wake up around 3:30am and head out about 4am to get parked and to the start line on time. 

So, Saturday morning came. We woke up, showered, and got dressed. I prepared my nutrition and camelbak for the race. We headed out with only coffee and oatmeal in our bellies and made the 6-8 mile drive to Hollywood. We parked pretty quick and we were right at the finish line, so we didn't have to walk far when we got done (strategic I know!) We were so pumped! We walked with the crowd, looking at the stars on the sidewalk and anticipating seeing the start line. Then, we saw it. It was so invigorating I began to get very excited. My nerves just disappeared and there we were...in the midst of 8,000 plus people ready to give it their all.

We were so excited! We stood together in wave 8, even though we knew we would separate. My goal was 2:30:00 or less. I was off to a great start. I averaged 10:41 min/mile for the first 5 miles running it in 52:44. I then began to slow way down. I literally hit a wall...the hill I ran into was monstrous. I HAD to walk, which was fine...but my body decided that since I had run every run the whole time that if I was walking that meant I was done. So, when I got to where I could actually run again I was trudging along and right about mile 8 I got a charlie horse in my left calve. I crow hopped for a second and then began to run again. When I got to mile 9 I got another one but this one was in my right leg. I could not believe that I had trained for so long to get this far into the race and HAVE to walk because I literally could not run. I began to get very discouraged. I started to cry by mile 10. Miles 6 through 10 took me 1:07:37 and my average pace was 13:47. The hills killed me and on top of that my lower legs were cramping so bad I could hardly move. My last 3 miles were the worst. I tried so hard to get at least a slow steady pace but continued to cramp. Miles 11 through 13 took me 42:03 and my average pace was 14:01. I was devastated. I told myself no matter how much pain I was in, I would cross the finish line in a run/jog. My last 0.3 miles was at a pace of 12:26, ending my 13.3 miles in 2:46:56, you can view my route here. I smiled as big as I could and it was definitely noticed. My 0.15 seconds of fame was caught and I looked like I was effortlessly gliding through the finish line on the red carpet like I just breezed through the whole thing. 

             

However, what everyone could not see at that moment was that I was crying my eyes out! I was in pain and all I wanted to do was lay on the ground and just cry (which I did for about 10 minutes). I was so very emotional. But, I finished. I actually did it! This is me with my medal, bawling like a baby! When we got to the car and were headed back to the hotel all I could think was, "Why in the world did I do this! I will never do this again!" But, after a few days...I realized that something that taxing on the body creates an emotional vortex that just sucks you right in! I had to gather myself and become composed and when I did, my thoughts were, "Next time, I will beat that time!" I may only do one a year...but there most definitely will be a next time. 

I have thought about what I would say about my experience for the past week. I have debated on saying it was nothing, I could do another one in a few months...but the fact is, when you dedicate yourself to something that seems extreme, no matter the distance...a half marathon, 10K, or 1 mile...you have to and will give it your all. That means your emotions will most definitely play a HUGE role in your outcome. You have to tell yourself you prepared for this...you can do it. I am so very thankful I had so many cheerleaders behind me in this milestone I have now met. I would like to sincerely thank everyone that told me I could do it and when it was done, congratulated me on a victory. As I type this I am getting emotional. This experience will never be forgotten and as for next time...I WILL do better!

Here's to the next workout! Until then...

April