About two months ago, my sister-in-law Carrie told me that she was going to enter a half marathon in Sacramento. It didn't take me long to decide that I wanted to also. I soon started training, but immediately I had setbacks, like really bad weather or pulled muscles. I persevered and the day came to fly across the country to run my first race.
I took Jane with me on the airplane two days before the race so that I could adjust to the time and get enough rest (Dan arrived the next evening with Hannah). I didn't get as much rest as I wanted but that didn't matter. I was still pumped up to run on Saturday with what ever rest I could get.
Carrie and I did what we thought we should do in the day and hours prior so that we could perform optimally. I felt ready and was very excited for the event.
Saturday morning, we arrived at the park where the race was to be held and got our bodies warm (it was quite chilly) and our minds psyched. Finally, we found ourselves at the start line and the countdown began. I didn't think I was going to be so excited about it but the adrenaline was flowing and I was jumping up and down and clapping. Here is the mass at the start. If you look over to the right, you can see how far back the runners lined up.
We were off. I ran with Carrie and her friend Brenda for most of the race. We found a comfortable pace and fell into various conversations. It was a beautiful day and a nice trail. I felt really good.
At the halfway point, we were to turn around and head back on the lower trail. Before we got there, I started to see the lead runners coming back, passing us below. There were more and more runners. After I made the turn, I noticed that there were more and more runners behind me too. A lot more! That gave me a push.
I was doing great until about 8.5 miles. Then, I hit a wall, figuritively speaking. I'm pretty sure I didn't have enough for breakfast and the lack of sleep from the last week seemed to be catching up with me. I fell back from Carrie and Brenda but tried to stay focused and steady.
Miles nine to eleven seemed to take forever. I could still see Carrie and Brenda but I was losing sight. I was afraid of losing them, that I would lose my stride. I kept on and knew I could at least make it to eleven. I had ran that distance one week before.
I made eleven and then it really got tough. I kept thinking, "you can do this, it's just two more miles. That's nothing!" But honestly, I was also thinking, "I really want to close my eyes. I need to sleep!"
Just before mile twelve (I think) I saw Dan's mom with Jane. I suddenly had this surge, not of energy, but of emotion. When I looked at Jane's face I almost started to cry. It seems that when we push our bodies to the limit our emotions get involved. Everything seemed to be at the surface. I then pushed myself because I knew Dan and Hannah were waiting for me. I was excited to see them.
The last mile was a whirl. I was fatigued yet exhilerated. I started to see the parking lot, then crowds and then...yes, I saw the finish line. When I visualized this moment prior to the race I thought I would be able to speed up my run, to take it up a notch, but that didn't happen. I was giving all I could give.
I saw Jeromy with Noelle and Hannah to the left but couldn't look too long. I might lose my footing. Finally, I started to smile, and I crossed with a time of 1:52:10. Dan was right there waiting for me, camera in hand.
I felt like I could do anything at that moment. Sure I was hungry and tired and my body felt like a wet noodle, but I had accomplished quite a task as far as I was concerned. I felt great about my run and it turns out, I had placed pretty well. Out of 1027 runners I finished 251st- that's in the top quarter. Not bad!
What an amazing experience. Thanks Carrie!
