1/2 Marathon #2

Overall: 7388 out of 8939 · Division: 910 out of 1123 · Gender: 4754 out of 5998
Overall Time: 02:42:35

Sad, I know. I was hoping to do better this time around and actually did worse than my first half. I trained longer and harder this time around. I was in better shape. I knew better what to expect. However, I think I walked more of this one than I ran. I don't know what my deal was.

Here's the scoop (and I stole this from my BFF Holly who ran a full marathon the same day). Click on her name to see her experience in the Chicago Marathon.

Mileage Exertion:
Miles 1-4: Felt great. Ran 9 minute miles (I think that was my downfall because I don't normally run that fast). I knew that mom, dad and Shiloh were waiting around mile 3.5. Beautiful scenery running past the Pepsi Center, Coors Field, Colorado Convention Center, Union Station, St. Joe's where I delivered both kiddos.

Miles 4-5: Hit a huge hill right after seeing mom, dad, and Shiloh. Walked up it and that's when my thighs started burning. Almost like I hadn't stretched and they were on fire. And then, I was pretty out of it. Should have done a 5K. Perhaps those are in my future.

Miles 5-8: Miles 5-10 were through City Park. Feeling pain in my thighs. Stopped every 10 minutes to stretch. Hard to get motivated. I hate this park. 5 miles in one area. Really? I just want to be done!

Mile 8: Running east down a stretch of road while on the other side, running west, were the people on mile 9. Bathrooms right there. The thought crossed my mind to stop and go to the bathroom and skip mile 8 and join in with mile 9 runners. Should have.

Mile 9: I made it. Laughing at the people I'm passing who are just starting mile 8. Uh, oh. Starting to get sick to my stomach. Thought I was going to throw up. Almost stopped to sit on the curb but knew I wouldn't get back up if I sat down. Texted mom that I didn't feel good. She offered to come meet me. No, I would keep going. Only 4 more miles to go. Can't quit now.

Miles 10-12.5: Run, walk. Run, walk. Run, walk. What is my problem? So disappointed in myself. Almost.....there.

Mile 12.5-finish: Run hard. So many people watching. Don't stop. Pass as many people as you can.

Emotions:
There were so many people (almost 9000) in this marathon that it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement. Crossing the finish line, I noticed people in the full marathon finish line that were finishing before I even completed a half. Man am I slow! Proud of myself for completing a 2nd half, but disappointed that I didn't run better. Either I'm done with this running business or I need to do one more to prove to myself that I can do it. I need to pace myself better and not get caught up in the crowd.

Best Emotion:
At the finish line seeing Jeff, Case, Siahna, Mom, Dad & Shiloh yelling and cheering for me. Or just cheering that I was finally there and we could go home!

Best Signs:
There were hundreds of signs along the course, but here are some of my favorites:

• Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.
• Lindsey, will you marry me? (this was around mile 5 - I think that if that would have been my boyfriend proposing, I wouldn't have been able to finish!)
• Run faster. My arms are tired of holding this sign.
• Run like you stole it!

Anyway, I'm glad I did it. Disappointed I never found my three other teacher friends at the end to congratulate. Thankful mom and dad came all this way to cheer me on. Glad that Jeff made it there this time before I crossed the finish line (last time, I caught up with him right at the end of the half and he ran with me to the finish line!).

At the start line. Still dark out for a 6:55am start.
Except...I was in corral 12 out of 16 so it was more like 7:20 before I started.
Mile 3.5 - so glad to see familiar faces.
Trying not to throw up at the end. Shiloh getting her camera ready just in case....