I did it!! I really really did it! I actually succeeded in running my very first half marathon!
The day started out nice. I woke up early...partly due to the new mattress while mostly due to nerves. I had a tough time eating and the butterflies in my stomach were getting worse the closer I got to the event! Once there, I found my group and we made our way to the start line. We decided it would probably be best to try and use the restroom which was insanity. As nicely put together as The Woodlands Marathon was, that was one of the major downfalls - lack of restrooms! The lines were absolutely ridiculous and left us starting with the wrong pace group. The weather was quite nice in the beginning. I had arranged for Matthew and Dad to meet me at the 6.5 mark so that I could pass off my sleeve warmers and of course give hugs and kisses! I was so happy to see them and at that point, I still felt okay - just a little sluggish. I gave a quick hug to my man and I was off again. Out of nowhere, I realized I had to use the restroom again - which is very unusual for me seeing as it's never happened during training. I ignored the first stop and saw my pace partners drifting further and further away. I knew at that point that I wouldn't want them to stop just for me to use the restroom - so I let them go. Finally, a bathroom with only 4 people in line. Holy cow - it took nearly 5 minutes to get into the restroom and then I was off again. Trying to make up time for stopping, I began running a bit faster and darting in and out between racers. I hopped up on the curb to get around someone and when I came down, all my weight went to that bad foot and bam! PAAAAIIIIN!!! I was NOT going to be defeated. I managed to push through the pain, the mental war going on inside my head telling me to stop, and again the urge to go potty...I pushed on. I was never so happy to see that finish line! I came through and collapsed onto the ground next to my pace partners. I saw Matthew walking up so I limped my way over, gave him a HUGE hug and said - I will NEVER do that again. Ever.
Despite my potty break, running (aka - limping) on a bad foot and just not feeling up to par - I finished my first half in 2:20:25 which is only 10 minutes after my goal time. I am proud of myself. Proud that I had the courage to start and the determination to finish. As far as never doing it again, I actually think that I will just not any time soon - here's where the surprise comes in. But FIRST - here's a pic of my amazing pace partners that I wouldn't have ever made it without.
Now for the surprise...after all was said and done - I finished my race and I finished it while PREGNANT! That's right folks - baby number 3 is on their way! HUGE SURPRISE!!! I'll explain how we found out in a later post. We are blessed.
