Post by CallingAllAngels on Jan 19, 2014 8:27:08 GMT -5
I ran my second half marathon yesterday. My first was terrible - I gave up and walked the last 5-6 miles. I trained great, but I lost the mind game that day. My time was 2:50.
Yesterday, I ran the Charleston Half marathon. It was cold and windy (so so windy), but I felt great the whole time. My goal to try to keep between an 11:30 to 12:00 pace, because I thought I could sustain that. The first 5 miles I had a really hard time holding back and kept having to force myself to slow down. Miles 8-11 seemed really windy and I really started to hurt. This is about when I gave up last time. But I kept going - even though it was slow.
The last few miles were just me dragging my butt to the finish line. I did have a burst of energy for the last .1, so I wasn't totally spent. I only walked three times - through water stops.
I finished about 2:36, a little slower than I hoped but I am happy with it. I trained for a half in October that I had to skip bc of strep, and since then my training has been sporadic. Yesterday, I really had a great time during the run. I wasn't sure that was possible. I am running Shamrock in March and hoping to get sub-2:30 then. I definitely think it is doable.
Thank you for all of your support. I am so grateful to be a part of this community. I thought of pixy a lot yesterday on my run. I hope when she is ready she can join us again.
Post by CallingAllAngels on Jan 19, 2014 18:51:21 GMT -5
Thank you so much, everyone. Sometimes I get down on myself for being slow, and it means so much to me that some of you - who are so much more advanced than I am - can get excited over my 2:36 half marathon. It really helps keep me going and improving.
Post by Raggedeannie on Jan 19, 2014 20:07:24 GMT -5
Don't get down on yourself just because we've got a few speedy gonzalezes here. You have to remember that for every one of those gals who are running fulls and BQing there are a dozen reading their race recaps in awe wondering if they'll ever get there someday. Many, many of us are where you were 6 months ago or a year ago.
This week will be my one year anniversary of beginning the C25K program. I am registered for my first half in May, and maintain around a 12 min average pace while doing run/walk intervals. I read your recap and thought to myself, SHE is an inspiration. She had to push and push harder to finish strong! You, CallingAllAngels are an inspiration for those of us wondering if we even have a half in us. I know I'll never be a 5 or 6 or 7 minute miler. I'll probably never run a full marathon and I'll definitely never qualify for Boston. I want to be in your shoes, CAA! You went out there and you conquered!
Congrats! My first half was a time close to your first's (injury), and I'm currently training for my second. Hoping to see an improvement as large as yours!