13.1 Been There Done That!

Today was the BIG day--my first 1/2 marathon.  I can not even begin to put into words how nervous/excited/scared I was.  The last few days were hard; I broke into spontaneous tears yesterday---merely overwhelmed by the feat I was taking on---I know it sounds corny, but the rush of emotions even as I started to race where CRAZY---I swallowed down tears the first mile---I could have easily broken down into a full sob if it were not for the self control I muscled up---It was not that I was sad.  In fact, it was the exact opposite.  I overwhelmed with the thought that this was it--this was what I had worked so hard for.

Last night we went to Asbury Park convention center to pick up the race packet and it was COLD--not just chilly---COLD with a serious wind chill--the kind of wind were you have trouble walking.  I was so nervous about what the weather would be like today.  More importantly---what would I wear.  I was planning on a Brooks running skirt and short sleeve Brooks top (I think Brooks is my favorite brand for running gear), but after feeling that wind, I began to seriously question my judgment.   So, I decided to wait until this morning to check the weather out.  The boys and I had last night all planned out.  PIZZA and LOST (we DVR it because the boys and I are addicted to LOST and have watched every episode together).  I even had a glass (a rather big one) of red wine.  

We had the alarms all set (more than one--I was nervous) and I woke up around 6 am.  I knew I would need time to get ready and have breakfast and coffee.  The weather here in Colts Neck was perfect---50's and overcast, but I was still worried about wind chill off the ocean.  Ended up with my Brooks running skirt and a long sleeve shirt---it was a perfect decision.  It was cold at the beach, but I preferred it to being to hot out.  

I lined up in the rear of the pack and the race started without any fanfare.  The sky was overcast and the ocean looked mean----I ran through the AP/OG Casino building while fighting back the tears and when I broke through into OG the sun was shinning bright and everything was PERFECT.  The first 6 miles were nice--don't get me wrong, it was not easy, but I was able to keep a nice steady pace.  

I wanted to keep a pace of 11 min/miles and I was worried about starting out to fast or running the first 5 miles too fast.  Thankfully at the start of the race I was able to pace myself with a man in front of me.  He had on a red shirt and I liked his pace.  I keep with him for the first 6 miles of the race and then he broke free. 

I really started losing steam at 6.5-7 miles---Ray and the boys were waiting in Spring Lake, so I took this opportunity to stop and take a GU with water (I had been regularly stopping for water along the way---every 2 miles).  This was my first walk--I walked for a minute or two at this point.  The second half of the race was challenging.  I was tired and my groin area (R and L) ached.  I stopped to walk every now and then--I probably walked about .5 miles out of the whole race, but it was just enough for me to recover and to do a body check--I was sore and hurt, but not necessarily in pain.

Once I hit Bradley---I keep thinking Bradley--OG--DONE!

I waited until I could see the finish line in sight before I kicked it up a notch.  I probably could have sustained this "strong" pace a little longer, but I knew I was holding back the last 2 miles in fear of not being able to finish.   I thought for sure, I would burst into tears when I finished--but I did not---I saw the boys and they were so happy for me and I just felt--"It is done"---a sense of contentment (let's see how long that lasts:)  For now, it feels GOOD.

Overall pace 10:40 miles/min
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30323406

Today's song, Get Me Bodied, Beyonce