DE 1/2 Marathon Report!

Of course, the night before my big run I sleep like crap.  I always do.  I did manage a few hours of sleep; but I swear I saw the clock every hour last night.  I gave up at 3:51, got up and dressed, and headed downstairs for coffee and my bagel.

Given the early rise, I had plenty of time to check FB, catch up on twitter, and enjoy my coffee and bagel.  I had so much time, I brewed a second cup in a TO GO mug to enjoy on the hour long ride to the race.  I met my group at the running store at 4:45 am.  The three coaches were there first which I thought was kind of nice.  We talked a bit about our trainees and reminisced on the 12 week program we led them through.

We left the store at about 5:15 and began the caravan to DE.  We got there by 6:20 and had an hour to kill before the gun for the 1/2 marathon.  We got in the port-o-potty line and then walked back near the start to watch the marathoners and relay teams go.

I was excited and ready when the gun sounded.  About a 1/2 mile in, I realized I needed to pee.  I said mind over matter and keep going.  Around a mile, one of the program participants, Kristin, pulled out.  She's been having IT band issues and wasn't sure if she could make it.  I kept going strong and clocked splits of 9:24 and 9:31 for miles 1 and 2.  I'm doing great...but I really, really have to pee.  Damn that second cup of coffee.  I push through miles 3 and 4 and rationalize that if I can find a bank of port-o-pots with no wait, I'll do it.  Miles 3 and 4 splits were 9:42 and 9:49.

I caught up with a woman who was wearing a shirt that said "Always in Memory of Dad".  I talked to her for a while.  She lost her dad to pancreatic cancer.  He was 63.  She wished she would have ran with him (he was a runner, she was not).  She started running in tribute and memory of him.  I wished I could have stuck with her but I saw port-o-potties with 1 person waiting.  I said my goodbyes and dashed over.  I waited about a minute and saw Heather (my friend) go by.  I finally got in and estimate I took another minute to pee.  So, in total, I think the pee break cost me 2 minutes. 

Mile 6-7 is one giant hill.  I ran up part of it with my friend David.  My time on that mile was a 9:52 which wasn't bad for the hill.  I guess I was just so happy to be relieved of the bladder stress!

You run around a few neighborhoods up at the top of the hill.  I was really not happy at that point because of all the twists and turns.  You kept passing other people and I just wanted to be over on the other side of the street with them.  I did see Leah again (lost her Dad) and passed her.  I said "Hey...c'mon....the Dad's are watching, we can't disappoint."

Mile 10-11 is the hill in reverse.  I should have been flying...but I don't like running downhills so my pathetic split time was a 10:33.  Many, many people turned it on and flew by me.  I finished strong with a 2:13:46.  That's 1 minute 30 seconds from a PR.  That damn second copy of coffee cost me a 2 minute pee break.  Do the math...I would have PRed if I hadn't had to stop to pee.

I caught up with Leah at the finish festival.  She said my comment really made her kick it into gear.  We talked about our great Dads, hugged,and said good-bye.

Despite not PRing, I am pleased with my time on this hilly course.  It was certainly a challenging run.  I am so proud of all the Fleet Fleet program participants who ran it.  They all did great today!  Finishing is winning.  And also (to Kristin), getting out of bed and trying is better than all those who didn't try.  You will be back stronger and better than before in no time!


'Coach'  

My 4th 1/2 Marathon!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, I will be running my 4th half marathon!  I can't believe it's #4 already!  Time flies when you are having fun (and clocking miles)!

I have been coaching a group who signed up through Fleet Feet Sports.  They have all done very well.  I can't wait to see how they do on the course!  It's a hilly course, so I am not expecting a PR.  Plus, I may end up running with a few of the group members.

One more 3 mile run to go...and then lots of rest before the weekend!


 

More from the mouth of JAL...

My husband took my son to a Flyers game this weekend. He cheered and yelled quite a bit. When he got home, he said his throat was sore from all the screaming.  He then proceeded to talk for 15 minutes straight about the game.  Detail after detail...non stop.

I finally got a word in and said, "I thought your throat hurt from all the yelling...you sure are talking a lot."  He replied, "Mommy, I said it was sore...I didn't say it was broken."

"Donate Dad"

I own a small business called Eternal Memory Candles.   These candles are labeled in memory of "Mom" or "Dad", etc.  A friend of mine asked me to donate a candle for a charity fundraiser and I happily obliged.

I left myself a post it note in the office that simply read "Donate - Dad" to remind myself to record the candle in my inventory tracking spreadsheet and to record the donation for tax purposes.

My 7 year old son was in the office and asked me what the post it note meant.  I asked him if he knew what donate meant.  His response was "give it away to someone who needs it".  I told him that was correct.  He said, "Are we giving Daddy to another family that needs a Dad?"   After doing my best to stay straight faced, I said we were not giving away Daddy...it was just a note for the candle business.  He was so relieved and said that it was good...because he really likes his Daddy and wants to keep him. 

I can't believe my son thought I could give away my husband!!

What would you change?

My husband and I had an interesting conversation the other night. We were discussing our lives and how they have unfolded thus far.  The questions we were pondering were...

-Do you have any regrets?
-Is there anything you would have done differently if given a second chance?

Thankfully, we both agreed we still would have married each other and had kids when we did.  We believed in all of our major life decisions to this point (homes, financial, parenting styles, etc).  Mike had just one regret concerning a job he turned down early in his career.  I have no regrets...the worst thing that has happened to me in this life has been the death of my father.  Sadly, there is nothing I could have done differently to prevent that.

How about you?  Any regrets?  If given a second chance, what would you redo?

13.1 training group kicking off tomorrow!

A new training group is kicking off on Monday for the DE 1/2 Marathon in May.  I'm not signed up as a particpant...but am instead coaching it!  We had a first meeting last Wednesday.  I was terrified...what do I know about running?  Am I ready for this?

I am pleased to report that I was more than ready for it!  I can do this and will make a great coach.  I've been in there shoes (scared to death of the 13.1 mile distance) and survived! 

Along with Ken and David (the other two coaches), we will make sure that all 21 of these want to be half marathoners cross that finish line in May. 

Ate too much chocolate last night....

Therefore did an extra mile of interval training this AM. Quite the punishment, don't you think??

As I was huffing and puffing my way to an 8:13 pace on 800s, I was repeating to myself, "no more toblerone, no more toblerone".

What the heck happened to my self control last night?