What I learned during my first half marathon.

by

Subtitle: All in bullets as that’s how my brain is working right now.

725097531
Maria, Lisa & me after the race. Three tired princesses.

*There is 100 % a fineline between stress & excitement. We don’t call it stresscitement around herre for nothing.  On the plane I was excited. I was terrified. I fantasized about half-marathon running totally becoming my passion and wondered when & where I could run my next race.  I had visions of being loaded on to the PrincessWhoLostTheirSparklesVan (my name) because I ran so slowly the park was ready to open.
I was a full-on stresscited mess.

*Running is nothing like a bodybuilding show. While that statement is *seemingly* an obvious one (this past weekend required no selftanner, no glued on posing suits & no posing routine) it only struck me on the day before the race that there’s one other *huge* difference.

With bodybuilding I was done on show day & merely needed to display the fruits of my (cardio lifting dieting pose-practicing) labors.

When running a race the work is in the training and there’s still work to be done on competition day. (See above stresscitement & cross-reference under exacerbated on Saturday)

(It seems this makes me officially a non-runner but YES the race did feel like work.)

*Dont always be a nerdy rule follower Lordy I learned this one the hard way and, upon post-race reflection do think that it could be about 88.329847% of the reason why race day felt like work.  I read the “ipods are discouraged” message as “dont bring an ipod.”

13.1 miles later I was ruing my decision and regretting being such a hardcore rule follower. Not only did I lack tunes to propel me onward there were so few others running sans-tunes I had no one to chat with.

In short, it sucked. At least on the treadmill I had Patty to hang with!

*In running, as in life, always ask for what you need. Above lament aside, I did see a few women who were running without buds firmly in ears.  At one point (mile 11ish) I felt my motivation waning.  There was no way I was walking (100% because I wanted to git the musicfreerun DONE!) but I longed for some encouragement.

I jogged next to a total strangerprincess, looked her dead in the eye, and said to her: please tell me I ROCK & that I can do this!

To my surprise she did.  I returned the favor and we never spoke again.

Seriously, in running as in life it *so* pays off to just ask for what you need.

*I do practice what I preach! Ive talked here about how Im not a fan of the scale.  I rarely weigh myself outside of doctors visits because I know how my clothes should fit and, when they dont, thats information enough!

I also yammer to my IRL friends about how I never check my blog stats.  For me it’s the same as the scale: why let a number dictate my self-worth!

As a result it only struck me hours after the race that I had no clue how fast or slow Id run it!  I never looked at my watch once nor did I check my stats upon race completion.  I finished.  I succeeded.  ’nuff said!

*I do think Id run another…the more I forget the OUCH! of this one. I can say Id never run the Disney Princess half again (ok, maybe not.  see? Im already caving!).  I didnt mind the fact that we were up at the CRACK of dawn only to wait hours and hours for the race to begin—what killed me was the cold.  Id not anticipated how frickin freezing Id be in the wee hours of a Florida morning.  A fricking freezing which lasted, for me, till almost mile six.

Another half? In a warmer early morning clime? Who can say…

So that’s me.

A few days post half-running and nary a clue if I’ll hang up the Asics forever or consult my calendar and schedule another race.

And you?

How do you typically feel after you accomplish your goal?

Do you immediately find a new one or, like I am, do you simply bask a while in the glow of accomplishment and *wait* to make any new plans or decisions?

Regardless, even if I never ever run again, I decided I am indeed the tee-shirt below (it’s hard to read, I know.  You may need to click on it):

2010-03-07201653391

and yeah.

It feels pretty damn great.

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  1. Hey you! Way to go! Running long distances has never been my thing, so people who do it I both really wonder about and admire at the same time.

    It’s still interesting to me that you don’t do “numbers.” Being a data geek myself, I do number even when I am in a “I am going bad foods for a few weeks” phase like I am now (yeah, sometimes I just have to eat pizza and chips. I too am human).

    In either case, it’s what make you you and me me!

    Talk soon!

    Ben

  2. Woohoo! You did it! 🙂

    I am so not a runner. (The elliptical crosstrainer doesn’t count as running, in my opinion, because it’s indoors, less jarring, and I watch movies while on it.)

  4. Awesome job! You did it! You just have to “embrace the suck” with these races and then relish the “I finished” enjoyment!!

    I have to say, I wish they did outlaw ipods. Before everyone had them it was so nice to do the races, talk to people, be in your element. Now you can just tune all that out. I am not a fan of ipods during any kind of race.

  5. You were FANTASTIC Miz! BTW you can actually go faster if you walk 1 minute for every mile. There are plenty of beautiful half marathons out there, much better than Disney. You might want to look into big city ones or off trail if you’re into nature. SMACK!

  6. I love it. Congrats! After my 10 miler I said never again! But shortly after I got over the numbness of NOT being able to feel my legs I entered the lottery 4 another 10miler and signed up for my first half lol

    As 4 tunes I agree I purchased a shuffle 4 this reason. I can easily hide it and I wear 1 earbud so I can still hear/chat with others.

    You r surely One Bad Mother Runner! Now add those to your store I NEED that in my life

  7. I loved this post because I plan to never ever run a race 🙂
    I would have left my ipod at home too but I would never have had the guts to as you say “ask for what I needed.”

    Great message for my life in general.

  8. Great job Miz! I loved this post because I think I’ve felt all of that at one time or another too. I can’t call myself a serious runner by any stretch of the imagination. I did my first 5k 2 years ago and I’m working on my first 1/2 this year. I’m slow, but I pride myself on the progress I’ve made. I couldn’t run more than 60 seconds the first time I went out and now I’m going for over an hour.

    I ran my first race May 30, 2008. I didn’t wear the ipod because I was told not too. I ran the whole thing, but wanted to stop and walk every minute. When I was done do you want to know what I did????? I went down to the expo of another race and signed up for it for the very next day!!!! That’s when I knew I was hooked!

  9. I have enjoyed reading about YOU running and never plan to run myself.

    This post resonated with me because I think I jump in too quickly after achieving my goals!
    I immediately set new ones and don’t make time to celebrate what I have accomplished.

    I need to work on that.

  12. That shirt rocks, as do you. The half I am running in next month says no iPods, but I am very tempted to bring mine anyway for the reasons you mentioned.

    Congratulations on reaching your goal!!

  15. I feel amazing after I accomplish a goal ( like a competition). I do tend to take a break, but in a few weeks am roaring to go again.

    You are awesome!!!

  16. Wow! Incredibly well done. My goals- after I’m done I start thinking about the next. It’s just so exciting to finish and thing, maybe I can go just a little bit further.

  18. Great job! I concure…you do ROCK 🙂

    I can’t believe you didn’t look at your watch! When I don’t have my iPod or tv or anything like that, I’m constantly looking at the clock.

    It really depends on the goal for me. Usually I want to complete another once I’m done…depending on how easily I can remember the pain. Sometimes just doing it is enough!

  19. ah! You so rock- I love love that you didn’t look at your stats! And that you asked a total stranger to tell you that you rock hahahha. I bet she has told 20 people about you 🙂 Congrats again- so amazing 🙂

  21. Congratulations! I love reading people’s thought process after a big accomplishment. Thanks for sharing. And I am so impressed that you never stopped and walked.

    Julia’s comment was interesting, too, that you could be faster if you stop and walk every mile. I would be afraid that if I stopped to walk I would never start running again!

  22. So glad to hear you would consider running another one!

    As for the ipods…. I personally hate wearing them for races, as I love to interact with other runners & the crowd. But I can see where the Princess one may have A LOT of ipod wearers. It is kind of sad. I’ve had some great conversations with folks during races, plus I just feel like I’m that much more present and in the moment when I’m not tuned out.

    Love your method of gathering support when you need it! You DO rock!

  23. Even for people who like running and are who are “runners”, races feel like work…so don’t count yourself out.

    Congratulations on getting it done! Your experience with the stranger telling you what you needed to hear is what I love about runners. We have all been in “that place” where we need some encouragement- so we’re very happy to help a runner in need 🙂

    Congratulations again!

  24. You are on bad mother runner for sure after that account of it all! 🙂 Carla, knowing how much you are NOT a fan of cardio, you deserve huge kudos for this!

    I used to run 5k’s in my younger years. It was one of those things like when I did bodybuilding.. I decided I wanted to try & accomplish something different. I hated the process but loved the accomplishment & even placed & won a few in my age category. Now, saying that, left me knowing I was not wanting to do a half marathon even though my Sunday jogs are pretty long.

    Like you, I bask for a bit in accomplishment before moving on to the next thing although every day in the gym is an opportunity to accomplish something new!

    BIG CONGRATS to you!

  26. Miz… I love you and this post. You are one bad mother runner. I’m so glad that you’re so honest with us and shared that you think running sucks but you set this goal and you achieved it. Yes!

  27. Nice shirt!

    “I finished. I succeeded.” That, I feel, is what’s really important. I went into my races last summer with that notion in mind, that I just wanted to be able to FINISH them… there’s less pressure when that’s the goal. It’s more FUN!

    I love that you spoke to the stranger partway through. That kind of motivation is necessary.

  28. If you became a “regular” runner you’d find the kindness of strangers in races everywhere. It’s something about that shared experience that bonds you. You know, sort of like the blogging community.

  31. Congratulations on the half mary!

    They say on race day to never do something different than the way that you trained. I train without an iPod so I guess I would love that, but I cannot imagine being surrounded by tons of folks tuned out. No one to chat with. How dreadful – you rock for pushing through that!

    In past years, when I finished an event I would register for the next one straight away. This year I am planning out my “race calendar” a bit more, so that I have time to rest between events, regularly scheduled stuff (aiming for one a month) and something to keep me working, continuously. I love having something to look forward to!

  32. What a great post. I did a bodybuilding competition and it SUCKED. Funny, because I kept thinking to myself during the whole dieting portion that at least if you run a race you don’t have to run it on limited fuel and carbs and be completely depleted. I never thought about the ‘break’ you get on competition day. Good to hear that every sport has its challenges.

    Why on earth would the race discourage ipods? It seems anything to motivate would be welcome.

  33. My past has typically been to find another goal or even have two or three going at the same time. I am trying to learn to settle into the moment and enjoy the small successes.
    You are truly AWESOME! for stepping out and finishing what you set out to do! Go girl.
    BTW Love the shirt!

  34. The cold was killer for me too. I think I shivered off a lot of energy. It didn’t help that I walked 10 miles around the Magic Kingdom the day before.

    I did another half in October, and while I definitely felt sorer immediately after, this one has left me hobbling around for the last 3 days. It’s definitely not an easy distance for me and I’m not sure how much I want to endure the pain again. I’m looking at maybe doing a Sprint Tri or something like that.

  35. Go you! I am so proud of you – for both DOING it and for being honest that it wasn’t some happy go lucky thing for you.
    Love the shirt!
    And as for goals – I tend to bask until I start feeling like I am lacking direction and find another one to work on. (If the lost feeling doesn’t come…I might bask for a long time.)

  36. Best race report ever! I have totally done the same thing as you in regards to the iPod. Felt like such a moron when everyone else was wearing them. Sigh. And then I ran a race where they DQ’ed everyone seen with earbuds in. And they actually took pics to prove it!!

    Anyhow, I’m so glad you finished and so glad you enjoyed it! Mostly:)

  37. Awesome accomplishment! Definitely something to be proud of! And good advice about asking for what you need – I will definitely use that next time I need a pick-me-up on the course!

    Don’t let the race-day weather fool you – it’s been a record COLD winter here in FL! I did the Disney Marathon in January & it was only 17 degrees at the start! EEK! Last year it was near 80 on race weekend. (By the way, I have NO plans of another marathon. E.V.E.R.)

  38. Thanks so much for all your thoughs insights and kind words.
    I laugh that even after writing this YESTERDAY I started thinking last night about running another half.

    (I. Crazy.)

    I was all gussied up for a night on the town with Ren Man, wearing HEELS and feeling grateful not to be sore and thought:

    HMMM. I feel pretty damn good for only 2 days post race. Im not sore! Methinks I should do this again….

    (maybe)

  39. I just started reading your blog and I am already so impressed and inspired. CONGRATULATIONS on your accomplishment!

    I started running last year and have only done 5ks so far, I thought I’d be done as soon as I completed the first one but it was not to be. The same night I registered for my second. Working on a 10k in April and probably a half in the fall just to say “I can do it,” but who knows if I’ll do it more than once.

  41. I did EXACTLY the same thing re: ipod/tunes and a half-marathon. Always train with one, then showed up, dutifully ipod-free, in a sea of people with buds in their ears and no cheery chat coming out of their mouths. In their own world. Total bummer.

    I am queen rule follower, but reading this reminds me for the next thing I enter (it’s been a while), I am BRINGING MY TUNES. =)

    After all, it’s YOUR RACE. It’s not as if you are in the front, an elite runner, fighting for $20,000 prize where the rules are a bigger deal.

    Very proud of you, and yes, after races, I just soak it in and coast, mentally, and see where that takes me re: doing it again.

  43. I just read your comment above but I still think it’s pretty great you can own up to the fact that perhaps running isnt your thing.

    I think its easy to get all caught up in the hype of what other bloggers are doing and then going through with something that maybe you aren’t into because well, others are, but then again I should have known you wouldn’t given your unapologetically myself.

  44. Congrats on digging in and finishing the race and asking for what you needed.

    I so feel you on being a hardcore rule follower. I’m working on that right now…

  45. 1. I love that shirt and must buy it immediately – can you point me in the right direction?

    2. Congratulations on your first (and I’m fairly certain NOT last) half marathon! You are so awesome! and isn’t it great how other runners are so willing to validate you when you need it?

    3. After my first marathon, I wasn’t even walking normally yet before I decided to do another. I love the half marathon distance, and would do one of those every six weeks if I could afford all the entry fees! 🙂

    4. Again – you are awesome! Way to get it done!

  46. Miz,

    Again congrats. you’re making me re-live my January adventure. I’m not a runner, had never ran more then 5 miles, and went out and got it done for the half. Ran with and without ipod. It was a wonderful experience.
    I think I will do it again next january. Would love another post with more of your “during the race feelings, emotions/experiences etc.”

    not to shamelessy plug my blog, but if anyone is interested, they can read about my half.
    It’s title “stupid is as stupid does ” 😉

    http://feelgoodeating.blogspot.com/2010/01/stupid-is-as-stupid-does-and-best-shout.html

    Soak it up MIZ, you did it. Awesome job!!

    Marc

  47. Congrats, Miz!! Job well done….er, run!

    As for following the rules (long-time rule follower, here), I came across this great quote that pretty much snapped me out of that behavior “Sometimes it’s easier to apologize than get permission.” Haven’t been the same since!

  49. Thank you so much for your recap! I totally understand all of those feelings. I think we are a lot alike.

    After a big event for me, I always get the aimless feelings 3 or 4 days later, like there is a big hole. Sometimes I fill it with another event, sometimes I take a little relaxing and fun (unplanned) workouts for a while.

    The great thing about races is that there is always one coming up and you can be spontaneous and choose to do (or not do) another one!

    You did an amazing thing. 1/2 marathon is really an achievement.

  50. I’m a stickler for rules, too. I would have been right there with you (who am I kidding—waaay behind you) music-less. At least you know for the next race you might not run but probably will. Either way, you rock.

  52. You are amazing and an inspiration! Knowing what you went through will help me when I run my first marathon (in two years).

  53. YOU ROCK AND YOU DID IT!!!! I loved reading this post made me smile ear to ear. Loved the t-shirt too and I did have to click on it lol. I can’t wait to meet ya in a few weeks (man it’s actually next week lol) will be like meeting my idol *big smile*. No matter what you decide you definitely are One Bad Mother Runner lol.

  57. I don’t think I could ever run a marathon without my iPod. I’ll admit, I’m completely dependent on it, I can’t do anything without my music 😉

  58. You did great! I totally get the waiting in the cold before the race – I had to do that for an hour before my nighttime 5K and it was brutal. Made me wish I was wrapped in one of those NFL player’s blanket capes that you see them in on the sidelines!

    I’m a rule stickler, too and would have done the same as you regarding the iPod. I don’t run with one, however, but have never done such a long distance as you, so I can see how it would be nice to have.

    As for doing another race? I started talking about doing another one WHILE I was still running my first 5K! Crazy, but it just seems doable! I hope you do run another half – bet it will be an even better experience than your first, and then you will be hooked! Armadillo Dash half mary next year?!?

  59. CONGRATS!!!

    Ha! I totally would have followed the rules too! I love that you asked a stranger to tell you that!

    Love the shirt too.

  60. When I finished my first half I was happy and scared. I was scared that I had accomplished such a feat and didn’t know how much I’d been holding myself back by thoughts of inability previously. I have a number of halfs on my schedule for this year and would love to run it once a season for variety and different race conditions/combinations.

  64. I didn’t get to say it this weekend – but CONGRATS on finishing the race Miz! It doesn’t matter how long it takes, or what happened on the way there, crossing the finish line it the only moment that truly matters.

    I think I understand where you’re coming post-bigrace. My triathlon was 8 months ago and I still can’t decide if I’ll ever do another one. Doesn’t mean I still don’t foolishly grin whenever I think of that accomplishment 😀

  65. A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! awesome! awesome! awesome are we!!!

    Now, go sign up for your next race.
    I train sometimes with i-pod… I never compete with them. Too many things that can happen on the road… and as you wrote this, I PR’d in my 5K this am…
    chipping away at my 13.1 pr as well.

    You are awesome! and Such an inspiration.

  66. I’m so happy for you! And I don’t think it makes you a non-runner because the race felt like work, my marathon felt like Work (capital W).

  67. Beyond my heartiest congratulations, I have nothing useful to offer. I’ll share what a friend of mine said when I (uselessly) informed him that he wasn’t supposed to be wearing earbuds according to the rules. He said, “I’ll worry about that if I ever get in contention to win.” (He finished in the 800s, with a smile on his face.:))

    Again, congrats on achieving your awesome goal!

  68. I definitely bask in the glory of accomplishing a goal, and I think that’s the only way you should be! What’s the point of having goals, when you don’t even get to enjoy reaching them?
    Congrats on the race, and I think you should seriously consider NOT hanging up those Asics for good…

  69. I hope Carla Miz reads this.

    yep. totally did. do. ready every comment 🙂 have em sent to my phone so I can read em as they come in….

    Congratulations!

    YOU TOTALLY ROCK!
    I cannot imagine running a half without music.. I think I did die.

    My first experience: Susan Komen 5K.. yes, 5k was unimaginable to me at that time (6 years ago). No music. No training. Totally out of shape… a couch potato. Signed up on a whim and ran a mile on the track twice for training. Lord knows how I ran it, I was going to quit during the last 0.5 mile. God Bless a graduate student in our lab who encouraged me. I didn’t quit. I ran all of it, I ran the hills and I ran with my heart.. foolish, no concept of pace, lack of stamina anything. I had to run, it was a race.. that is all I did. That to this day is the best run of my life. I remember sitting alone on the grass with all spectators milling about and I couldn’t stop grinning for a full 30 minutes. And then I found Cardiocoach and all I wanted to do was run races. I don’t do races much now, but it is Spring-like here in the Northeast and all I can think of is “OUTDOOR RUNNING”.

  70. PS I forgot to add, I can wing a 5k now ( even with inconsistent running), may be even a 10k , half.. no.. but I need to run with music.

  73. Congrats lady! I knew you could do it. Maybe we can relay the Disney Wine and Run in November – at night, it will be warmer and we can split the distance. What do you say? *Mind you this is coming from someone who hasn’t run in FOREVER! But I am up for the challenge.

  74. love the shirt!!!
    i remember finishing my first marathon and practically hyperventilating to find my next run. clearly i was still on a runner’s high cuz a few days later, i lost interest in running another marathon. but i still kept runnin’ as my cardio.

  75. Miz I love you so much. Not for completing a 1/2 marathon (congrats though) but for being so honest about it and not romanticizing it. Honesty = awesome.

  76. I am impressed by what you’ve done. That’s a big tada. 🙂

    My goal … is no longer in this fitness gig. I will keep where I am and keep pushing, but my focus shifted. I’m sure I will be elated when I reach my goal – jump up & down screaming with delight. I’m quite looking forward to it. Then I will sit down and get to work on the next novel. My work be never done. 😀

  77. Love the shirt!

    The idea of being up that early to run does not excite me…not even to say I ran at Disney. I’ve only run small races thus far and I kind of like it. But I am running a bigger race for my half and am a bit nervous.

    I am constantly setting new goals for myself. I love working out but I need to have a goal to push myself instead of just flopping through workouts.

  78. You rocked it! I knew you were hustling us – LOL! I had a blast … looking forward to the next one.

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

  79. You are FRIGGIN’ AWESOME! I love your honesty about the experience, and you’re such a rockstar for reaching your goal! (And sans-iPod? Wow, that’s hardcore!) Congrats, Miz Motherrunner! 🙂

  83. Oh, Carla you are one awesome woman to have done this.

    And one more thing. You just hit me between the eyes with the bloggal equivalent of a two-by-four. I always, but always expect people to just KNOW what I need rather than asking for it. Just ran into a problem at work because of this. I really needed the reminder. Thank you!

  85. I LOVE THE IDEA OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU NEED!!

    I need to implement this in my life as I know it woul dmake me far less resentful.

  87. I ran my first half-marathon the same day you did, but in sunny, warm Seaside, Florida and I had a terrific experience.

    When I first decided on a half distance, Disney was my plan so I made sure I could go faster than 16 minute miles so I didn’t have to get on the VAN.

    Seaside has no time limit, but they only give you an official time if you are in before 3 hours. 2:57:56!!!

  89. You did it! Many, many congratulations! I know it was scary for you so I definitely think you deserve a good long bask session. I always say I’m not a runner, but then again so do you and you went and ran this race so who knows whether there could be a half in my future? (Methinks not, or rather, right now meWANTS not, hehe.) Can’t wait til your next 2FitChicks podcast!

    Random memory: I remember emailing you from my hotel room at none other than Disney World last year as we were planning my guest post. Can’t believe it’s been almost a year!!

  90. It was so much fun to run with you. I thought you were going to say that you followed my plea to run and you regretted it. I think you’ll do it again if I were to bet on it.

  91. Love that shirt! 🙂

    I’ve loved reading about your experience with the run. I covet that medal. And that was a great accomplishment. You deserve the bask.

  92. Congratulations, you Bad Mother Runner, you!!! 🙂 I’m so happy for your achievement! I loved reading your race report.

    Regarding the iPod, I know what you mean about being the strict rule-follower. Not sure why they would be disallowed in a running race (assuming a closed course), unless it’s a liability thing.

    Regardng not caring about the numbers, that is an awesome place to be.

    And heck yeah, a half-marathon is going to be hard! Any event, even when you’re training for it, can feel difficult. I think most of my events have had that “why-on-earth-am-I-doing-this-how-much-further-is-it-are-we-done-yet-no-oh-hell…” feeling at some point. That does not make you any less of a runner, if you choose to so identify. And if the half marathon distance isn’t fun for you, why not scale back to 10K or 5K? Or form a relay team for a long distance race? Or, as someone else suggested, come to the dark side (muah-hah-haaa!) and try a sprint tri Or a duathlon, if you don’t care to swim…oh, the possibilities!

  93. You rock! It takes a few days/weeks/months post race for me too – for some reason the 12 miler training runs are always SO SO SO much easier than the race. Even as hardcore as I am/try to be, I definitely have moments of WTH am I thinking?!?!?!?! during the race.

    Also – I love love love the shirt!!!! I kinda covet it. 🙂

  95. This was a fabulous post. I love the way you process things in such a healthy way both mentally and physically. Such an inspiration!

    The best part to me was not just that you knew you needed some motivation but that you knew how to get it. You absolutely rock and you can do anything!

  96. Way to go on the half marathon! Interesting about the cold morning. I always thought that the Disney marathon would be hot! hot! hot! which I hate the most for running. (Guess it depends on the time of year, eh? Go figure! ;))

    anyway, I salute your brazen disregard for the race numbers! I’m a slow runner, but I still like the rush of the numbers. 😛

  98. I wish I had gotten to meet you last weekend! What?! You mean in the 14,000 other princesses around we should’ve found each other?! We’ll have to try harder next time;-)

    I L-O-V-E-D the Princess Half: I loved the course, I loved the girl power goin on, I loved feeling strong after beating breast cancer, and I LOVE the sah-weet medal;-)

    I DIDN’T much like standing in the freezing cold temps for what seemed like ages until the start of the race. My husband asked me why I didn’t bring my UnderArmour gear…I said, “Who brings ColdGear to Florida?!?!” It was a brutal wait…but so so so worth it.

    I remember thinking towards the end of the race that I was sad it was almost over because I just enjoyed it so much. I.feel.strong. Empowered. Love it. (Obviously I’m still on my post-race high!)

    I wish I had thought to tell you about the iPod thing. My first half about 3 years ago I was the nerdy one who followed the rules and was instantly disgusted when I was in my corral with 5,000 other people who seemingly ALL had their iPods:-Z It was good, but would have been so much better with music. So when I read the rules this time I pretty much disregarded that part;-) I know it makes a huge difference. Do this: plan to run one more half marathon with tunes…hehe;-)

    Sorry we didn’t get the chance to meet up, but like I said maybe next time;-) You did great, Princess!!

  99. I’m terribly shy and awkward in social situations, I’m sorry I couldn’t come up with anything to say when I saw you during the race, but you totally passed me somewhere around mile 11! You must not have been struggling too badly 🙂 Or maybe I was more than I realized.

  100. Thank you for taking the time to discuss this, I sense strongly about it and love learning more on this subject. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your webpage with additional data? It’s particularly helpful for me.

  101. Cool shirt! 🙂

    And anyone that can run that distance deserves to bask in the glory.
    Fab post, by the way. Love the way you express yourself and do things in a healthy way that people can aspire to.

  102. really-you have/had to question yourself whether you would run another half or race again? Then a runner you are NOT.

Trackbacks

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This