The good news is that I qualified for the National half marathon next year. The bad news is that I missed my goal of pacing at 10:30 min/miles.
Talk about a lot of people!!! Hanging with 30k of your new best buddies was definitely an experience.
Now for the highlights and play-by-plays.
Though I got to the Pentagon very early and hit the bathroom early, I ended up feeling rushed before the start.
As I got off the metro, I randomly ran into a friend from high school and then was wandering around looking for the official DC Road Runners tent. By the time I got in line for the bathroom again, there was an EXTREMELY long line. Nothing like singing the National Anthem from the line at the loo. Classic.
Unfortunately, the delay meant I did not spend enough time warming up. Bad move.
I got into position in my group and waited for the start. Since I seeded myself when I just started training and had no clue about my pace, I was way back in the second wave.
Forget being nervous...I was SO excited to get rolling.
We finally got the signal to start walking to the starting line --- which took a good 20 minutes. That's what happens when you try and get 30k people to move in one direction.
In the distance I saw my 10:30 min pace group. I jumped over a barricade and wormed my way through the crowd to my group so that I would be in position before the race got started.
Before I knew it...we were crossing the start line and off on our 10 mile adventure!
Miles 1-6 were fantastic. Other than having to deal with the crush of people around me and all the walkers who blocked my path, I was running very well. I was pacing well under my 10:30 min pace for this part of the run. I was thrilled!
...and then the fantasy ended.
I had a bad transition after the 6 mile water station. Grabbing the water, eating energy beans and weaving through traffic was just to much for this klutz. I tripped over some cups and gagged on my beans. It took me a bit to get myself back together and back on track.
The back half of the race was tough. I was bummed to have lost my pace group. I was just fighting to make the 1:50:00 qualifying time for the National race.
The 14th street bridge and related ramps were as much of a bear as everyone says. They are just so long and daunting!
As I crested the hill and turned down toward the Pentagon I looked down at my watch and saw the time ticking away. I almost always have the ability to dig down deep and find a surge of speed at the end. I decided to go for it. I cut the corner tight, ran the tangent and sprinted like a maniac to the finish line. Hysterical!
Though my feet hurt like hell, I was thrilled to have set a goal of running this race and achieved it. Go me!!
I hung by the finish chutes stretching and watching everyone come in. What an inspiring experience.
I can't thank the coaches enough for all their encouragement over the last months. My fellow trainees were also critical. I can't imagine doing this without them.
Last, but not least, I gotta thank my family for listening to all my running-club stories and coming out to support me on race day. You can't imagine how fantastic it is to see familiar faces out of the road. Love you all!!!!
Now...who's up for another training program and race???
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