Diaries of a (Half) Marathoner

It actually started on July 4th of last year. I ran in the Park to Park 5-miler and was instantly addicted to racing. I met a girl named Kristi who told me about this great half-marathon in Champaign that takes place in April each year. She described running onto the football field and seeing yourself on the big screen. She described a spirit of camaraderie and a sense of pride among all the runners. Lastly, she encouraged me to do it and got me thinking, "I can run 13.1 miles if I start training right now." So the rest of the last year and through the winter I told myself "I WILL run in this half-marathon." I'm going to include my 12 week training log not because I think anyone cares but more as a diary for me to remember this crazy journey!

Week 1 (January 31-February 6): First week of training started with a blizzard that snowed me in. Only ran 4.25 miles that first week.

Week 2 (February 7-February 13): Second week of training got a sore throat but motivated not to let it stop me. Ran according to training program for 13.25 miles.

Week 3 (February 14-February 20): Found out I actually had a sinus infection. Still too stubborn to back off from training. Ran 13.5 miles. Also completed first outdoor run.

Week 4 (February 21-February 27): Not getting better so had to back off from all running and strength training. Missed 4 workout days and only ran 5 miles the whole week.

Week 5 (February 28-March 6): Back in the program, ran accordingly. First race of the year at the Miller Park Zoo Stampede. Ran 15 miles that week.

Week 6 (March 7-March 13): Missed one run day because I was too busy. Participated in St. Patrick's Day 5k and had a great race. Logged 13 miles.

Week 7 (March 14-March 20): Longest run for me yet at 7 miles which resulted in shin splints. Couldn't run for the rest of the week and missed 3 run days. Only ran 7.5 miles.

Week 8 (March 21-March 27): Had to ease back into the program after shin splints so didn't do a long run but back on track with mileage--16.5 this week.

Week 9 (March 28-April 3): Another illness, this time bladder infection. Felt like giving up but too determined to let myself. Total mileage at 17 this week.

Week 10 (April 4-April 10): Bad training week--too tired to run one day and then long run got cut short by stomach cramps and dehydration from drastic heat. Almost threw in the towel again. Total mileage 15.5 this week.

Week 11 (April 11-April 17): Final stretch and had to break in new running shoes. Got bad blisters but kept up the mileage for 18.5 this week.

Week 12 (April 18-April 24): Most intense week of training but feeling great! In the mindset that I can do this. Total mileage--21 miles.

Race week: Mileage tapered down to 8.5. Was a ball of nerves all week, leading up to race day.

April 30, 2011--Race Day: Didn't sleep much the night before. Woke up somewhere in the 4 am hour and felt ready to go. Got to U of I campus right before 6 am. Got this video message from Mike......

Almost made me cry. Now I'm pumped to race. I was going to run for Tyler. He knew I could do it, Mike knew I could do. Now I knew I could do it too. From 6:00 to about 7:20 I hung out in Assembly Hall to stay warm and stretch. It was very chilly in the morning (only about 45 degrees) but the forecast was calling for sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. At the very last minute, I did a quick change from pants to shorts, kissed Mike goodbye and good luck and headed to the starting line.

The race started 5 minutes late but once I crossed the starting line, I was set for the long haul. I prepared myself mentally for 2 and a half hours of running--told myself it was going to be like watching a good movie. I was so overwhelmed with the people around me and just adrenaline I didn't really take in much at the start. I just ran. Then I started looking around at the buildings on campus and the houses in neighborhoods and the signs people made to keep us moving. It made the run so much fun.

Some miles were harder than others, especially miles 7 through 9 when we ran through a park. I drew from several motivators. I kept thinking of Tyler and his video wishing me luck. I thought of my Dad who has been in a nursing home the last year. He went to U of I and I know he would have loved to be in the stands cheering me on. Then I thought of all my patients at the nursing home who can't walk and decided I would run for them. I used mantas too..."Just keep running" and "Pain in temporary, pride is forever."

The last 3 miles were tough. I was tired and it was getting hotter. I was running out of steam but luckily they gave us Gatorade and energy gel. Finally, I was back on campus and could see Memorial Stadium. I dug deeper and put on the charge, racing on the field for the finish at the 50-yard line.

My official chip time was 2:19:37, a full 10 minutes faster than my initial goal. Once I crossed and my legs stopped they almost couldn't go again. I got my medal and felt more filled with pride at that moment than I did walking across the stage with my Master's degree.

It was an incredible physical and mental challenge and somehow I did it. I got so much support from everyone but Mike especially. He sacrificed time off work for my long runs, watched Tyler for extra hours and put up with my emotional ups and downs. I couldn't have done it without him and his support and I truly felt like he deserved a gold medal for putting up with me!

I only had one complaint about the race--I couldn't find Mike afterwards and had to borrow people's cell phones to call him and find where he was. After a mix up, we finally met outside the stadium at which point I didn't want to go back in for pictures or food.

Before the race

At the finish (I am in front of the tent on the right)

Somewhere on the big screen

So proud to be a finisher!

After the race, my day was filled with all my favorite things....for starters Chipotle for lunch, then shopping for a new outfit, and finally a long night at Buffalo Wild Wings for my favorite wing sauce and Mike's favorite UFC fighters! It was an amazing day that I will not soon forget!