I do love this race, it’s a fun one. It’s not too difficult…..it’s also the PR for my full marathon distance, so it does hold a special place in my heart. I like that it’s a military run. I get a chance to honor my grandfather every time I run one. And it’s a local race…..I run (ha ha) into a lot of friends on the course….that’s always fun! Here’s the sunrise just before the gun goes off.
This year, I have intentionally been pushing myself. Any excuses that I would of had in the past have been cleared away. I have just been through the worst (well maybe the 2nd worst) year of my life. I am far stronger than I ever thought I was capable of being. And there is no reason to allow myself to be easy on my self. I am the only one who knows exactly how hard & how far I can go. I plan on finding out in the next few years. I have a couple of running goals I plan on achieving in the near future. I’ll be damned if I get in my own way!
This race was my 17th half marathon. I did not feel so awesome that morning. Woke up with a migraine. Wouldn’t be the first time that has happened, but I was just thankful that I was not throwing up…that has happened in the past! Took some anti-migraine meds & prayed that I would finish the race. Oh dear GOD…left me finish the race!
Got to the start, made it all the way to mile 7 before I started to feel kind of gross again, more than just pushing through 7 miles as fast as you can. I stopped at the 1st Aide station for some advil & away I went. I do not remember this race course being as hilly as it was this year, so they must have changed it again. Either way, it’s a beautiful one! I felt pretty good all the way to the end. Which is a complete mind game…..you see the finish line for the last mile & half. And you think you’re a lot closer than you are, but you just..keep…walking….ha ha ha!
I did tear up a bit at mile 12 (you hear the finish line and about a quarter mile later, you see it, finally). Not because I didn’t think I could, but because I knew I was going to make it. Sometimes I forget how far I have come. And I do remember my very first race, sometimes like it was yesterday. And there have been many races where I wasn’t sure I was going to finish. This being one of them; who gets up with a migraine & runs a marathon or a half? Um, this girl…and it’s happened twice now. I am extremely intrinsically motivated….and something about knowing I was a mile or less away from my 24th long distance medal had me all choked up inside. I believed I could, so I did. Knowing you can do something and being so close to the finish line that you can taste it are two completely different things. And being at that finish line never tasted so good!
It wasn’t a PR or under 3 hours, but it’s pretty damn close & I get another chance in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed for speedy feet!
Hope, Peace & ZUMBA Love,
Jen 🙂
fat girl in the fitness world 
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