Monday, September 24, 2007

The Indian Summer Half Marathon

Finally, a good 9 days after the fact I'm posting about the half marathon.

I went to bed around 10:30 Friday night not feeling nervous at all. Then I woke up at 6:44, exactly one minute before the alarm and got myself dressed and ready to go. I don't think I was even nervous until Amy and Jessica pulled up and I started thinking to myself "What am I doing?" Luckily both of them owned up to similar feelings.

We arrived safely at Columbia Point and checked and got our T-shirts and numbers. With the coveted race T-shirt in hand we considered climbing back in the car and calling it good.




You wouldn't believe how many familiar faces we saw- which was good until EVERY SINGLE PERSON told us they were there to do the 5k. Jessica and I kept looking at each other and wondering if we were really as stupid as we felt entering this race after a mere 4 weeks of preparation. Oh well.




We lined up at the starting gate and awaited our fate. The starting alarm went off and we began our 13.1 mile journey. We were doing great, so well in fact that at the turn-around point for the 5 k race I asked Jess if she wanted to finish early... BUT we kept going.


We ran past Howard Amon, through Leslie Groves, past WSU-TC, and waved to Calaway's house across the river and then FINALLY we came to our turn-around point only to have to pass all those point in reverse. The big pick up for us was seeing how many people were actually behind us. We thought maybe 2 or 3, but there were at least 15. We were the front runners in the slow category!!


We were awesome, only stopping to walk between mile 7.5 and 8.0 because neither of us are coordinated enough to drink and run at the same time. Then we stopped again between mile 10.0 and 11.0 , but after that it was all running. The last mile seemed so long, but as soon as the finish was in view, Jess and I sprinted to the finish line where our families were eagerly waiting for us.





It was a great feeling to finally be finished running and Jeremy, Kaden and Brynnlee even had a "prize" for me. A bag chuck full of foot lotion, foot soaks, massage lotion, bubble bath, a new shower pouf, and a new watch (which I was totally needing).


So after a few waters and Gatorades we headed home where I grabbed a quick shower before we spent the afternoon looking for desks. Kaden and I even spared a few minutes to play Guitar Hero at Best Buy... and then we went to Mid-Columbia Gymnastics where Tia and Howie were celebrating their birthdays. What a long day!


Jeremy asked me after catching my breath if finishing made me want to do a Marathon and I said "No. Doing this makes me NOT want to do a Marathon."
However just like childbirth, the memory is already fading after 9 days and I'm softening to the idea- but only slightly.

17 comments:

Elizabeth said...

That's awesome...congratulations!! I love the whole race atmosphere, and I don't know why...but it's great to get those shirts. Expensive shirts, huh? But they are fun to wear, nonetheless.

This sounds like it was a lot of fun.

JustRandi said...

YAY FOR YOU!!! It sounds like a blast!! And you would be great in a marathon- you just need more than 4 weeks of training!
Great job!!!

Lacey said...

Sounds like so much, umm, fun! I used to run in High School. You make me want to try it again!

Lacey said...

I meant..."fun?" lol

Heather said...

Does anyone else think I look like I'm about 14 in the last picture??

Randi- maybe you could come up and run with us!! Wouldn't that be tons of fun!? ha ha.

Sarah said...

Great job Heather. You inspire me to push myself harder in my workouts and go for that extra mile (even if it's only on the treadmill).

tharker said...

Yeah, you totally look 14! J/K.

I'm so proud of you guys! Reading this makes it sound like 13.1 miles was a piece of cake, although I know it was anything but that! Congratulations Heather and Jessica!

Kris said...

Way to go! That is so cool how many Marathon's you've been in this summer! Good for you!

Lee said...

That is totally great! What a great sense of accomplishment! Great job!

Melissa said...

I've played around with these same digital papers to create some bloggy goodness! I love what you've done! Very cool!!
Congrats on the race! I am totally impressed!!!

tharker said...

Have I been blind, or did you just do this template? It's so cute. Did you make it, or did you find it on a site? Either way, great job, your blog's lookin hot once again!

The Garden Maiden said...

I admire anyone who can run more than a block. So hats off to you, and Jessica!

S. Schuller said...

Congratulations, Heather! I felt the same way after a half-- didn't want to do the full thing. If you can do a half, you can definitely do 26.2. I thought the half was harder than the full. Go girl!

Tara said...

Good for you. I am in the midst of training for a half marathon for next year. Good on ya!!

Jessica said...

You really do inspire me! I am proud of you for acomplishing such a great goal! Maybe I will be joining you and Jess next year?!?

Buns of Steele said...

My favorite part about half marathons and marathons is WATCHING people do them. It ispires me to WATCH more of them. Good job!

slyn said...

Somehow I missed this post, I'm a little slow. Just wanted to say you both rock! 5k is it for me.