Well, I finished my 4th 1/2 marathon today! It was my slowest and most painful, but I stuck to the plan. Just as I had trained, I ran 8 minutes to every 2 minutes of walking from start to finish. With only 5 weeks to train, I knew I needed to be very realistic with my expectations.
The weather was about 60º, foggy, overcast, and 95-97% humidity! The air hung in my lungs like smog and I was drenched in sweat by mile 2. Eww! The course was beautiful — it was on a nature trail/bike path south of Tulsa, and there were 6 well-stocked fuel stations on the course.
Here we are before the race:
Even though I said I wasn’t going to set a time goal, I secretly did in my mind. 2:30. And I didn’t meet that goal. According to my Garmin I finished 13.22 miles in 2:35:45 (11:47 minute miles) and was about 5:45 short of my “goal”. 🙁
I saw Mr. Prevention between miles 6 and 7. He came over, gave me a kiss and asked how I was doing. “Great” I said! And I was. I chugged right along until mile 8 where a calf cramp caused my leg to lock in a straightened position and stopped me dead in my tracks. I was forced to have to stop and stretch. You can’t run with a leg that won’t bend, apparently 😉 Unfortunately, I had to stop 3-4 more times that mile to stretch…those darn calf cramps, just like last week, plagued me!
Between miles 9 and 12 I ran through 3 cramps that didn’t cause me to lock-up completely (OWW!) and only stopped to stretch once more.
The last 1/4th mile were the worst. The lactic acid had tightened up my calves causing me a lot of pain, but you can’t WALK through the finish (even if I was “running” 14 minute miles at that point!). I am going to chalk these cramping issues up to my Metformin I just started taking, as I’ve never had these issues before and it seems rather coincidentally to be having them the past 2 long runs after starting the prescription. C’est la vie.
Struggling through the last 1/4:
I’m in the blue
We headed home and I stupidly decided against eating before showering. I did check my blood sugar before getting into the shower (86 mg/dl) and after a 2 minute shower, I started feeling funny. I re-checked my blood sugar and I was down to 67 mg/dl…and dropping quickly, apparently.
Sorry this isn’t a “WOO!” post, but believe it or not, I am proud of myself. I could’ve (and wanted to) walked the last 5 miles with all those cramps, but I didn’t…I stuck to my plan. Endurance-wise, I felt great…my body was just having trouble keeping up. But a successful race is one where you leave it all on the course, every last bit, whatever the end result…and that’s what I did.
Mr. Prevention finished in an impressive 2:06. Very proud of him 🙂
Question: Have you ran a 1/2 marathon? Would you consider doing so if you haven’t?
I will certainly consider another 1/2 marathon…but probably never another full!
Run fast,
Believe it or not? I definitely believe you’re proud of yourself. You should be! I’ve never run a 1/2 marathon (not really a runner) but I hope I will one day. Yesterday WAS humid, so I’m even more impressed that you ran in that weather. I could barely breathe just walking out there. 😉
Great job! Very inspiring. 🙂
You’re still my favorite runner (& walker)! Remember that “how to prepare to run a 5K you printed for my benefit?” I think that was 7 years ago. Still working on it (smile).
Congratulations! You should absolutely be proud of yourself! I think anyone that finishes a half marathon should be proud! I’ve never gotten into running races but it sounds like a lot of fun!
Maybe I’ll give some a try!
Take care of yourself! Refuel and relax!
Congratulations Nicole! You’re absolutely right…a successful race is where you gave it everything you had in you. You have so much to be proud of!
I ran my first half last fall. I was hoping to break the 2 hour mark, but missed it by 4 minutes! But I was so proud of myself because the course turned out to be hillier than anything I had ever run. All 13.1 miles of it! I will try again after having this baby 🙂
Congrats on the 1/2 marathon and giving it your all! Good job!
Way to go! You really pushed through it and should be SO proud. I have my second 1/2 marathon in late July (HOT compared to my first 1/2 in January).
Wow congrats on running the race! You should be more than proud..I have toyed with the idea of running a half and a full. I hope to be healthy enough soon and have a good enough relationship with food to be able to.
Dana
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
Congrats Nicole – you’re so inspiring!! I’m in awe of everyone who can run that far 🙂 Hopefully you won’t get cramps next time – I know how frustrating that can be.
Congrats! Way to stick with it!
Congrats on making it through and pushing through those cramps but still taking care of yourself. That is awesome! It is a huge accomplishment…one I don’t ever foresee myself being to claim. Great job!
I am so proud of you!!!! you set your mind to it and you DID IT! I am so happy for you honey…
You are such an inspiration!
I’m VERY proud of you!!! You rock!!! Sorry about the cramps. You are amazing to make it despite them!!!
Hope you’ll have a great Sunday! 🙂
What’s not to be proud of? You rock. Maybe you were a bit behind the time you wanted but you started new meds and you are adjusting to a change in diet and you had ONLY 5 weeks to train!
Well done.
My first half marathon is in September. I have been doing 5 and 10k so far this year.
I’d say that’s an awesome job girl! I can’t believe that humidity, ick! I’ve never done a 1/2 and not sure I will, but we shall see. My joints don’t seem to care much for running 😉 Chris’ mom was on metformin and always had terrible problems with cramps. I can’t believe you stuck with it, you rock!!
WAY TO GO!!!!! So proud of you!! That time is great, Nicole!! I’ve completed 3 half marathons and attempted a 4th in November 2008 a few days after I got married, but had to drop out after mile 4 due to IT band pain! It was so discouraging, but maybe one day I’ll do another one!! I used to want to do a full marathon, but I don’t think my body was meant to run that distance.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and take care!! 🙂
You are too cute with your secret goal and equally cute in your blue outfit. Congratulations on finishing your fourth half marathon. I love it that you left it all on the course. 🙂
And, by the way, I’ve walked three half marathons since I’m not much of a runner. The runners, as a matter of fact, were probably taking naps by the time I crossed the finish line…
Congrats on your successful race!! I am so impressed :-). I would love to do a 1/2 marathon sometime – but not a full.
Good for you! You SHOULD be proud of yourself. I mean, how many people go their entire lives without ever running a half marathon, and here you are finishing your fourth. That on its own is impressive.
I would LOVE to do a half. I was all signed up and ready for one a couple of years ago, but I got super sick the day before. I was CHOKED! Now, with my ankle problems, Im not sure if I’ll ever be a long distance runner. Its disappointing, but thats life.
Awesome job! You are amazing girl :).
I think you did well considering you only trained for 5 weeks!
Congrats!
I’ve done one HM and 2 weeks from my 2nd one.
Congrats nicole, u did a great job…
Way to go! This is going to sound weird, but I used to read your posts a loooooong time ago on the WW message boards…it wasn’t until reently that I put two and two together about one of my favorite blogs, and one of my inspirations back in the day. I used to be. Non-runner…I was totally inspired with your posts about running on the WW message boards that I printed the couch to 5k program. I’m getting ready this morning for my 5th half (10th race overall, including a full marathon) and just wanted to let you know, you still inspire! Way to stick with the race, despite the obstacles!
Author
Janna,
Aw, thank you! You’re so sweet to take the time to write that. You must have an excellent memory! I have not been on the WW boards in years! Many years! I really appreciate you pointing out that “connection” from the past. Sometimes writing this blog makes the world seem so small! You are an inspiration, that’s an accomplished running resume! Good luck this morning! I’d love to hear all about it. Thanks so much for your note — it made my day 🙂
Nicole
I typed that on my phone this morning, and didn’t realize all of the typos!:X whoops!
It is such a small world! The thing that tipped me off was reading about hockey, and then I saw in your about me (I think) something about the WW message boards! Crazy!
Another crazy connection: during RD day (I can’t remember exactly what it’s called…) you gave a shout out to an RD from my home town that I’ve actually been speaking with/getting advice from for going back to school in hopes of one day becoming an RD! Crazy small world!:0)
the half was great! Not my best, but not my worst and overall just a fun race! Plus…any race that has wine tasting and a free adorable tumbler wine glass after is fine by me!
Glad we both had good race weekends! Keep doing what you do!!!:0)
I am in awe of your dedication and strength! You have every reason to be proud of yourself – you stuck with the race through the pain and finished strong. Rock it, girl!
Congratulations on your half marathon, Nicole!! That is such a huge accomplishment! I’ve never run so many miles at once, so I am very impressed and proud of you. Just looking at the pictures of how muggy and humid it was, I can’t even imagine running in those conditions. High five! 🙂
I am SO proud of you babe! You definitely rocked this. Just the fact that you ran through so many struggles is amazing…you are a survivor.
Congratulations on the run !
I have never run a marathon of any kind and sadly it is something I will never do due to a very bad knee. Walking one , perhaps some day but running is out. I really enjoy reading about other’s experiences with these runs though !
Congratulations! You’re so right on the importance of just finishing with what you’ve got in you, and it sounds like you did great overcoming your obsticles.
HUGE congrats!!!!! Hooray for rocking it– you are a rock star, girl! Very proud of you!
What an accomplishment–way to go Nicole!
Congrats on finishing another one! Considering you had a short training time, you rocked it!
And yeah… that humidity was probably miserable… ugh!
I’ve run 3 half marathons and 1 full marathon. I’d consider doing either again…I’m sure I’ll do another half soon. I have a goal of running an ultramarathon someday. I’m kinda iffy about running another 26.2 race though. The first time was so special-I’d never run that far before. I wanted to prove that I could. Now I know I can. So I’m not so sure how exciting a second would be.
You should be proud of your 1/2 accomplishment. Even if it wasn’t as fast as you’d like it to have been….you rocked it!
Woo-hoo! Go you! So exciting! A half marathon is definitely on my to do list! You’ve just given more inspiration to get it done 😀
Awesome job for powering through, I think you should be DAMN proud of yourself! I’ve ran one and am running my second in 2 weeks. It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done!
Congratulations, Nicole!!! I am BEYOND impressed…I cannot believe you did it on only 5 weeks of training! I’m running my first half marathon next Sunday (so a week from now I should be finished, woo hoo!). I’m totally inspired by how you pushed through, even with pain and cramps and all of that. You should be so proud!
Was there a reason the course was an extra tenth of a mile long, or is that pretty common?
I feel bad saying this, but I don’t run, so not in my plan. Not say this won’t change in the future, but for now, no marathons. I do however like to power walk for 5k’s and things like that. Congrats to you on your race. Glad you did not overexert yourself.
oh Nicole you did so well! that is fast for me for such a long distance. and to think you did this after all of your new health stuff going on…..i am so proud of you. you are trully a real life inspiration 🙂
Congratulations on your 4th 1/2 marathon!! I’d LOVE to run a marathon, I am just now training for my first and want to do the half in advance of the January 26.2 craziness. Looking forward to following your posts– you can find me here at http://mad-about-running.blogspot.com. Congratulations!!
You should be proud of yourself. Running 13.1 miles is no small feat especially in that humidity.
I think you’re amazing, Nicole. There are so many people who never even run a half marathon. A huge congrats to you and Mr. Prevention!
Congrats to both of you for finishing! I think that’s wonderful! I have yet to do a half marathon, but I would like to once I make the time to really train. As for the camera I use, I have a Nikon D3000. I just got it as a Christmas gift and love it!
Congratulations!!! Way to push through it!
Nicole that is awesome! you should be proud of yourself for not giving up when you had the cramps, I admire you! to answer your question, I have thought of running a half marathon many many times. I’m at a point where I WANT to run but I can’t convince myself to just get up and do it. I get really self conscience and I get this mental block that stops me b/c I’m not a “runner”and I’m not fit enough to be running. Stupid, I know. I’m working on it!! : ) Congrats on an awesome run!!
Congratulations on a great run!
Sounds like you did amazing considering those leg cramps – ouch!
Be very proud of yourself – you have been through a lot these last few weeks!
Way to go Nicole! I’m impressed with anyone who finishes. You did amazing, you should be proud of yourself – goal or not. Humidity is killer, plus cramps = no fun. But you finished, that is what counts!!
Congrats on your run. Yes, a half and a full marathon is on my list of goals–just as soon as the little kids realize I am a dork and don’t want anything to do with dad any longer.
GOOD FOR YOU Nicole!! That’s fantastic. Even though you did not reach your goal, you came very close, and you FINISHED despite the pain. That’s better than I could ever do. I have never run a half marathon (I’m just not a runner, I don’t like it and my feet always get totally beat up when I run). I hope you enjoyed a nice powerful blood sugar raising meal after that shower 🙂
Congratulations, Nicole – that is awesome!! I know you are bummed about not meeting your time, but what with your leg cramps I know those are SO hard to deal with. I hope you pampered yourself (or got pampered) the rest of the weekend. 🙂
I would definitely do another half – if I can run again one day! I would love to do a full, too, but I would only train 3 days a week this time. I just don’t know if my body could handle much more!
congrats! That’s great! I love your run/walk plan. I think knowing I can walk helps me so much mentally!
congrats!! that is a very amazing accomplishment and you should be so proud and pleased with yourself!! :]
Wow! Great job!
I’ve never run a half marathon before, but I have run 13 miles on my own. It was tough.
I can’t believe you’ve done 4. That’s fantastic!
Good for you for sticking to your plan! 🙂 I have run one half before and I broke the cardinal rule of race days and tried something new…so I was sick multiple times on the course. It was horrible but I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks and I am psyched!
Congratulations on your 1/2! I know I’m behind on reading your blog but I am really inspired by your will to finish and be okay with what your time was because you know you gave it your all. I trained to run a 1/2 then messed my knee up and had to recover and practically start over. Problem is, living in Florida, it seems as if 24 hours a day it is extremely hot and I just can’t get myself to run past 5 miles. I feel as if I can’t breathe. But reading this post makes me know that I should go with what I can handle and gradually increase. Thanks for this post and the inspiration!