The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

My First (and only?) Half Marathon – Dallas White Rock 2011

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I am not really sure where to start with this post because I have so much in my head to write about my experience last weekend.
First of all, I rode to and from Dallas with some of the best women on the planet.  They supported me, prayed with me, laughed with me and helped me get through the race and the weekend.  I’m certain I could not have done it without them.  Thank you, Dawn, Jeantelle, Michelle and Carol.
But… I guess I should start with the weather.  Since early last week I knew, from peeking at the forecast over and over, that the weather was more than likely NOT going to be ideal.  My friend Dawn (who also ran) and I just kept hoping and praying something would change but it did not.
So, this was my gear, including an old sweatshirt (which saved my bacon!) and a waterproof jacket, gloves and some new awesome socks I got at the expo/packet pick up on Saturday.
Fast forward to us ready to run…
the crowd, ready to go…
As we stood in our corral (C3) waiting to walk ahead and actually cross the start line (Holy Moses 25,000 is a lot of people to run a race!) I told Dawn we weren’t in Kansas (also known as Cajun country) anymore!  We were cold (40 degrees cold) but huddled around many others so that kept us somewhat warm.  But, as we started to move and spread out it got colder and started rain.
And it never stopped.
We actually crossed the start line more than 20 minutes after the first runners did.  I won’t get into all the details but I had some wardrobe issues the first couple of miles and wanted to make sure my phone (which I ran with for timing and music) would not get too wet. By the time we were somewhere into the second mile my shoes and fancy socks were completely soaking wet, my toes were numb and rain was dripping off of my forehead.  It was ridiculous.
Dawn and I ran together until about mile 5 when she went on ahead and I shed my waterproof jacket (literally threw it to some people on the side cheering us runners on) and put my earphones in and started my music.
Around mile 7 we were running in a really nice part of Dallas, north of downtown (I failed to mention that we ran down the street where our hotel was located but turned before we got there.  I was REALLY tempted to keep going straight and get back in bed).  Anyway, as we were running by mansions (yes, mansions), there were many spectators cheering and thanking us (the race benefited a large, local children’s hospital) and holding signs.  At one point someone was holding a big pink sign with my baby girl’s name written in huge black letters and spelled the same way, KATELYN…
I started crying and couldn’t tell at that point if it was the rain or my tears on my face.  I guess it was both at that point.  Then I saw her sweet face in my head and knew I was past the halfway point and could finish, for her and for me.
I get all teary just thinking about it again as I type…
At mile 8.5 we split off from those running the full marathon (SO glad I went the right way!!!) and I knew I “only” had 4.5ish miles to go.  But somewhere along miles 9-10 something really strange and new started to happen and I began to feel muscle spasms in my calves, on both legs.  They didn’t hurt, just felt funny.  And then during miles 10-11 the toe cramps started.  Yes folks, TOE CRAMPS.  My toes cramped and literally curled up SO badly that I had to STOP and stretch my feet and calves.   And then I knew my time/pace was going downhill fast (no pun intended).
But, at this point I just wanted to finish.  I had to.
I have NEVER been so happy to see the number 12 in my entire life.
I ran/walked the last 1.5 miles or so and crossed the finish line running, and even smiling, since I knew there were cameras everywhere (this race is a big deal in Dallas and was even on television).
I was so DONE.
In more ways than one.
I was hurting, in a daze and cold and soaking wet, down to my underwear.
I texted Tim to tell him I was done, even though he was hundreds of miles away.
And then I followed the herd and went into the building they had us all file into to get my medal, find Dawn, some food and drink and my “finishers” shirt.  Oh yeah, that was MINE! I was a FINISHER!! 😀  We also took our picture together…
IMG_1816
 can u see how happy I was just to finish?
Thankfully, Michelle (one of Dawn’s BFFs who came down with us for support) brought us dry clothes and we changed in the ladies room.  If she had not, I don’t know what we would have done because you know what?  It continued to rain and rain and rain and when you are wet you are even colder.  Just FYI.
I know this is already like THE longest post ever but I have to tell you all, I now TRULY consider myself a runner, even if I never do this again. I looked at that 13.1 around my neck and started to cry a half a dozen times.  This is really something I would have NEVER imagined myself doing, 10, 5 or even 2 years ago…
I’m not very happy with my time which was 2 hours, 33 minutes and 27 seconds and works out to 11:42/minute mile.  Ugh.  During my training I was averaging 10:40/mile and I SO wanted to finish under 2 and half hours.
And I KNOW the weather and my unexpected pains (did you EVER see me mention my ankle above?? NO! crazy, huh??) hindered me quite a bit but it doesn’t do much to curb my disappointment on that front.
Of course the next question is will I do another half and right now, I just don’t know.  I would REALLY like to beat that time but I’m just not sure my body is really cut out for this long distance running thing.  I will just have to see.
I want to thank you all again for your supportive comments, tweets, emails and messages in general.  They REALLY meant so much to me all weekend and I felt so very loved and supported by this community and that in itself is amazing.
Right now I’m off to take more Advil and nurse this cold that may or may not have come on after running in the rain for over 2 hours…
But I will do it all wearing this. 🙂

 

Comments

  3. I am so proud of you, half marathoner! Woot woot! I’ve never had the pleasure of doing an entire 13.1 miles in the rain, thank goodness. That sucks. As for doing it again (or not), you don’t have to decide right now : ). Also, I would KILL for a 2:33 time!!!!

  4. I am SO PROUD of you!! It’s an amazing accomplishment. i also cramped in my first half in the last three miles. Good times!

    Now when are you running your full? 😉

  7. First off. I don’t cry.

    Next. I just cried.

    And I am a bit shocked. Because really, I don’t.

    But watching to prepare and build up for this, then to see you FINISH it…is just, wow.

    Proud doesn’t even begin to explain it. But it’s the best I can do to say I how feel for you.

  8. Elaine! What a great time for your first half. I’m so very proud of you! (Did you know that’s faster than my last TWO halfs? Yep, you beat me…. and E) Take some time and keep running… then decide if you ever want to do another. I always do the one here because it’s in February and I know it keeps me running in the cold and after the holidays. I’m so, so happy for you!!!

  9. Totally teared up reading this! The sign? Amazing. You? Rock star. I’m telling you now, you will want to recapture the feeling of power you know you had and you will do it. I want to run WITH you eventually, not just talk about it. So, so happy you pushed yourself to do this. And your time is still awesome for a first run! I was in the best shape of my life when I did mine, injury-free, and I finished at 2:21. So, given your conditions, I say you killed it.
    (and I hope you’re not too sick)

  10. Congrats to you on this huge accomplishment! I am more than impressed that you did the half. And? I probably would have run back to the hotel room when I was near it – but I’m glad you didn’t. 🙂

  12. I’m so behind–mostly since all I want to do is sleep–but I wanted to stop by and see how the race went. I am SO PROUD of you and that’s saying a lot because normally I’m confused by people who run for fun, but this post I understand.

    The Katelyn thing gave me goosebumps. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it spelled that way before.

  14. I am glad you posted this long post it couldn’t have been done any other way. So sorry it rained the whole time. You amaze! I am no where up to a half yet and well may or may not ever do it

  21. I think you are SO inspirational! Sounds like the race was HARD, but you didn’t give up, and you finished a HALF FREAKIN’ MARATHON!! You are awesome!! So proud of you.

  23. SO very cool to read of your experience, mine was similar when I did my first half in Jan 2010. The time doesn’t matter, what matters is you set a goal and you achieved it! I do think though you have been bitten by the running bug and I am sure you will do another half sometime in your future 🙂 I look forward to reading more about your running adventrures!

  24. YOU DID IT!!!

    And for the record, I knew you would. But the rain, and the cold…arg. So annoying to have to deal with those crazy conditions. That might have been why you cramped. Cold muscles are not happy ones, usually.

    Your time is fabulous for a first one and particularly those conditions. Be proud girl, you ran a HALF MARATHON!!

    So crazy happy and proud of you!

    You are a runner!!

  26. I am so incredibly proud of you. When I read about mile 12, I cried since that was my mile with you.

    I am doing the Zooma 1/2 marathon in March. You are such an inspiration to me lady, you don’t even know.

  29. Congrats! Running in the rain would have been tough. I am so glad you brought music to listen to and help you focus on something other than being cold and wet.

  30. I think your time was fantastic! So proud of you!! Sorry I didn’t get a chance to wish you good luck.

    Wear that medal and your 13.1 sticker on your car proudly.

  31. I’m so proud of you! I knew you could do it. I thought about you all day Sunday. The weather was atrocious. I bet if it had not been raining you would have finished in your desired time easily.

  33. Thank you for writing about it! I have been wondering!!!!

    I am SO FREAKING PROUD OF YOU!!!! You are so awesome!!!! I can’t believe you ran through the ankle pain, and the weather, and the cramps and everything! You are awesome! Seriously. Just DRIVING 13.1 miles is a lot! Crazy!!!!!!!

    And don’t even think about another 1/2. That is like asking a woman about another baby RIGHT AFTER she gave birth! 😉 RELAX!!!

    You are awesome! Be proud of yourself!!!!! 🙂

  36. You did it! Just say that over and over and over again… because there really aren’t many people that can say that. But YOU, you can!

  37. I have experienced the toe cramps. Owie; I hurt for you just thinking about it. I think you did an amazing job, Elaine, and even if you never do another one, you rock!

    I teared up as I read about the “Katelyn” sign; I can’t imagine how you felt as you ran by it.

    xoxoxoxo

  39. You did it!!! YAY!!! for you!! Stop beating yourself up and be PROUD of this AWESOME accomplishment!! And you will do it again…you seem to be crazy like that! HA!! See ya around the school yard the next week or so…it is getting crazy with all of the parties and programs 🙂 xo

  40. I’m a little scared about the concept of 13.1 miles in August after reading this! It will probably be a million degrees and hopefully not raining, but I am a bit scared of it just the same! Great job and you did an amazing job, even if you didn’t get the time you wanted!

  41. Um. Your time blew my time out of the water, so GREAT JOB!! I also had mysterious pains that I’d never had before…but my chronic pain never flared up once. What’s with that.

    I also feel that, like me, you will do another 1/2 marathon. You will. I know you will (enter maniacal laughter here).