Monday, October 13, 2008

Weekend Report!

The Staten Island 1/2 Marathon was AWESOME! I said it before and I'll say it again, I FREAKING LOVE RACES!!!! This was the perfect race for me to do just 2 weeks before my Marathon. It gave me so much confidence for my race! My plan was to run it at "training pace", not "race pace", but I think I've mentioned this before - I don't really have 2 paces yet (I'm working on that!), so i just went with the flow, stuck to my "Run 2 songs walk 1 minute" plan.

My very first Half that I did in September was pretty much a flat course on a crushed limestone trail (2:13), so I was very interested to see how I would do on "real roads" since that's what my marathon will be. Wait, totally forgetting something -
*Most of you have an idea of the relationship struggle I've been dealing with on and off since the beginning of this blog, and with that whole thing falling apart and making me question everything in my life, I "found" running. Well, that relationship and it's issues came to a boiling point on Friday. Bottom line, I couldn't sleep Friday night (maybe 3 hours), and then was so stressed on Saturday by Saturday night I was getting sick. My throat was killing me, and once again coule barely sleep (probably about 3 hours total again). I almost didn't go to the race. Then I thought - "F THAT! This is FOR ME! I rented that friggin car (around $110) and was looking forward to this until "THAT" happened, get your ASS UP and go!"

I am SOOOOOOO glad I went! I was figuring my time would be around 2:30 (given that I had'nt slept, my throat was killing me, and the roads / hills), and guess what??? I ended up finishing it in 2:18!!!! I was soooooo happy! The course was great, there were some crowds along the route, and the water / Gatorade stops were super organized! And they had this "New York Road Runners Finisher" thing that you could get your picture in front of!


I met up with the NY Team in Training Group before the start of the race, they were awesome! Their coach, Steve, was great! When he would see me out on the course he would say "Go Pittsburgh!!!", totally pumped me up!

I felt awesome pretty much the whole time, I don't think I ever stopped smiling. I ran with my Gu in one pocket and Chloraseptic lozenges in the other other pocket, they worked great!

Now, it's less than 2 weeks until the Marine Corps Marathon (seriously, my eyes are filling up as I type this), I can only imagaine what it is going to feel like. I have loved every minute of getting ready for this. This truly proves that the saying "It's not the destination, it's the journey", although I do know htat this destination is going to be equally life changing and mind blowing as the journey.

Now I just need to get rid of this cold, and I will be all set! It's Taper Time for me!
Thank you all again for the Good Luck Wishes!
PS- Sorry I am totally behind on everyone's blogs!!!! I will catch up today/tonight!
****Stay tuned, I will be announcing a CONTEST soon!!!! Oooohhh, aaaahhhhh prizes and everything!!!!

17 comments:

Megan said...

Yeah!! So glad that it went well and that you were able to find some support! I was really worried about you up there by yourself!!

and a big BOOOH for the relationship crap!

The Laminator said...

It was such a nice day for a race. I'm so glad you were able to run and enjoy yourself despite your health/relationship issues. It really was a great course (nasty hill at mile 8 notwithstanding)and was super organized. It's nice that NYRR represented itself well yesterday.

Now you know you're ready for your marathon in 2 weeks. Rest your body back to health and get psyched to have some fun!

Marcy said...

OMG! You did fabulous chica!! ;D ;D Especially given the circumstances. Wow. Awesome job!

You're gonna do great for the MCM!

Aron said...

yayyyy you did SO awesome! congrats!!!! race day is so fun and that is just going to get you that much more pumped for your marathon! i am so excited for you :) way to go choosing to do something for YOU also!

jahowie said...

Congrats!! I'm very proud of you!! You are going to do great in your first marathon!!

P.O.M. said...

Awesome!
I totally agree with you that running and races is all about the journey. I think I enjoy marathon training just as much as race day.

Taper time, right???? Enjoy it. You are so read for MCM.

Jason said...

Woohoo!!!! Congrats!!

I'm salivating for the MCM :) Can't wait to see how well you do there.

Good job.

Melanie said...

Awesome! I'm so glad you had such a great race! I'm excited for you about your marathon and can't wait to hear about it.

Jess said...

Congrats on an awesome race! When when your sick sucks, but somehow crossing the finish line makes it all worth it!

Glad the relationship stuff didn't keep you from doing the race!!!

Andddd I'm super excited to hear about this contest!!!!

Marci said...

Great job, congratulations on your PR!!

SuperDave said...

Run 2 songs walk 1 minute plan and you finished in 2:18! I may have to give that a shot. Great job for motivating yourself to run this race by "yourself." That's inspiring within itself. I'm too much of a social runner myself.
Nice race!!

teacherwoman said...

I am so excited to hear you had an awesome time! You rocked that race!

Contest? Who said that?! hmmm...

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you went and did something for yourself. How awesome that you crushed the time you aimed for.

Keep doing things for yourself and doing things that make you happy.

Kelly said...

Way to go on your half!!!! Sounds like it was awesome, and your time is amazing! Can you imagine what your marathon will be when you're not sick and you sleep more than 3 hours (hopefully)?! Can't wait for that race report. Congratulations! Get pumped, you are going to have a great race.

ncrunner12 said...

What a great race, you did an amazing job! I would've been a little bumbed out hearig that you only got 3 hours of sleep and didn't make the race, but probably would've understood... but you got your ass out of bed and ran an unbelievable race... can't wait to hear about the MCM, enjoy your taper time.

Laura said...

I'm really glad it went so well for you! Not so much for me - it took me the full 3 hours to finish, so I figured you were long gone, which is why I didn't call :(

LIrunner9 said...

Stumbled on your blog (you posted to my hubby/BR411:) and was psyched when I saw you ran SI.

Just wanted to say you did awesome!! I am so glad you went to the race, and you kicked butt!!! It was the perfect day:)

You are going to do great at the Marine Corp marathon!!! Hope you are feeling better!!

Mrs. BR411

Words of Wisdom

"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing will disturb your peace of mind.
See the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
Think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best.
Forget about the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Spend so much time on the improvement of yourself that there is no time to criticize others.
Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you."
~ Chistian Dior

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do."
- Dr. Spock

"Fall in love or fall in hate. Get inspired or be depressed. Ace the test or flunk the class. Make babies or make art. Speak the truth or lie and cheat. Dance on tables or sit in the corner. Life is divine chaos. Embrace it. Forgive yourslef. Breathe. And enjoy the ride. "
- Solbeam