How does it feel to run a half marathon?

I learned a number of things about myself on the day of my first half marathon.  The training plan I was using, didn’t actually require me to run the full 13 miles until the day of the race.  I guess they figure that if you can get close to the full distance you should be able to gut out the last 1 to 2 miles on race day.

Running The Half Marathon

Race day came, and I felt like I was ready.  It was a nice spring day, and the half marathon started early in the morning, but it was warmer than normal that day, which didn’t bode well.  Naturally, most of the people there were serious runners.  Me, I just wanted to finish the darn thing.  But my competitive juices got the best of me, and when the gun went off, I took off at a much faster pace than I should have.  That lasted for about three miles.  Then I realized my mistake. Of course, by that time it was too late.  So, I slowed up and tried to get it together.

One thing I came to believe during my half marathon training was that a runner is strong for half the distance of their longest run.  After passing that halfway point, I think you start to struggle.  Well, I was pretty good until about mile seven.  Then I started to hurt.  But there were other runners around who were just like me.  They wanted to get through the thing, and were pretty genial to talk with as we went back and forth.  The volunteers at the water stations were great, too.  Cutting up and all.

By mile 10, the humor was gone.  I was asking myself what the heck I was doing out here.  It was the hottest day of the year, which only adds to the burden of a runner, and I just wanted it to end.  But, all my friends knew I was doing this thing, and if I bailed I’d have to face them.  So, I kept putting one foot in front of the next and tried to look at the ground, rather than the remaining 3.1 miles ahead of me.

Passing mile 12

I have to say, the guys I work with were great.  They had already finished, and came back to see if I was still alive.  Encouraging, right?  They jogged the last mile with me, which helped keep me from walking the thing.  And standing there at the finish line waiting for me were my wife and kids.  I can tell you that no man wants to be seen walking the end of a race with his wife and kids looking on.  So I tried to pick up the pace and finish strong.

Finish time:  2 hours and 11 minutes.

And I was done.  I mean that quite literally.  I went home and sat on the couch for the rest of the day.