Lets run a half marathon

I missed my post last week! It was a busy week and time just got away on me. Now, I am feeling a little bit more organized and ready for the next week ahead.

While at work we frequently talk about hobbies and "what did you do on your days off." My days off usually include some sort of binging of TV, some form of exercise and usually a few meetups with friends and family. For many people it is running. Now, I am not a runner, I would never put myself in that category. But, I have ran a half marathon.

How, and why did I run a half marathon you ask. Well it all started when my brother ran a his first half. I always thought running was the easiest and most convenient form of exercise. I was never a long distance runner, EVER. My brother on the other hand ran distance in high school track and had always run to keep up his fitness, it was his thing. On a family camping trip we were talking about his half marathon accomplishment and how he really didn't do much training. During this conversation it was brought up that I could never run a half marathon. Well don't tell me what I can and cannot do.

The next year I signed up for a half marathon, thinking okay if he can do it I can do it. I got to work. first step was get some new shoes, done. Next go on Pinterest and pin all the blogs and articles you can find on running, done. Then I went and bought some new workout clothes as motivation. After after about two weeks of pinning and shopping I figured it was time to start running. I was about 5-6 months before the big day. The first few runs were HARD. Holy hell I was not expecting my body to hurt in that way. I frequented the gym but I was more of a weight lifter and not a cardio gal. The worst part was I was only walk/jogging three kilometres. I knew from there that this was going to be a commitment.

The half marathon that I had signed up for was the Seawheeze half marathon which is hosted by Lululemon. They had mailed out a run planner that told you what to run on what days. Working shift work this wasn't the easiest to follow but I did my best. I ran about 5 days a week either in the morning or the evening. Each week consisted of, easy run, test your pace run, long run, and hills/sprints. For me, if I got out running and did less walking I considered that a win.

For someone who never ran before it was crazy how fast you'r body adjusted and how much better every week was. So many factors played a roll, I was committed, I went to bed early because I needed to run in the morning (it was WAY to hot in the afternoons). I did my absolute best to eat to fuel my body, even though it was summer and patios were calling my name. Running was a full time job, for me it was not like riding a bike, I needed to be consistent and think about it all the time. I had running buddies that helped me but I was so slow that I felt like I was holding them back. They would never admit that though.

I did my first 10km at the half way mark in training and did okay. I say okay because I ran it after a night shift. Any activity after a night shift I consider a success. I had so many emotions during my training, power, excitement and many, MANY "I can't do this" moments.

I remember my last long run before the half marathon I did 16km. I was told never to fun the full distance. After this run I was exhausted and was shitting my pants about the half. My friends and I flew to Vancouver, where the race was held, a few days before the race to get settled in. The night before the race we carb loaded because apparently that what you are supposed to do.

The day of the race it was pouring rain and so dang cold, I had never ran in the rain. This was a first time for so many things. When getting ready for the race you pick your corral, this is simply picking a slot that matches your pace. It pretty much is asking, how fast do you want to run today. So, at this point I said goodbye to my friends because they were faster then I. There was so much cheering and excitement it was the most uplifting feeling. When the gun went off for my corral, it was literally like chasing cattle through a small space. I ended up staying back a bit to have some room to run.

During the race there was quite moments and spots along that had many people cheering that helped you run a little faster and hydrations stations along the way. Vancouver is such a beautiful city that I ended up taking pictures along the way. I was feeling good. I got to the 10km mark without walking!! That was a first for me. The half way mark however was this bitch of a bridge, and you had to run it twice. once I got over that I felt like I could do anything. Kilometre 16 passed, now I had ran the most I have ever ran, I hadn't walked at this point, I was started to tire out despite all the cheering and beautiful views. I remember calling my brother at km19 crying, I was in pain and didn't think I could do it.

I finished with a time of 3hr 1min, I was proud, I had just ran a half marathon with 0.5km of walking. During all of my training I always walked. The feeling of accomplishment and excitement and exhaustion drove me to tears. It was the most amazing feeling. Post run we all got to gather for food and beers at a local brewery.

That was my first and last half marathon. I won't say i'll never run one again, but as of now I don't see any in my future. I have ran once since, and it was 10km of feeling good and over doing it and getting tendonitis in my ankle. Running isn't for the faint of heart and it takes skills to be able to run that far and to be able to do it continuously. For some people running is a passion and others dread thinking about it. I am somewhere in the middle. I wish I had kept up when I so tirelessly built up. Like anything, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish it.