Well, today was a momentous day. A day I've been working toward since, oh, MARCH or something. This morning I ran 13.1 miles and I feel amazing.
Training
Our story starts months ago, when I started like, exercising regularly. My friend Vicki and I would get together and run at 5:15 one day a week and again Saturday mornings, just to go run. It felt good to get out there and get into it again. I did a 10K when I was my most fit in college, the summer Shane and I were dating. Since Vicki and her group of friends had all done half marathons before, I started to toy with the idea. I'd always, always thought "no way, no way," but I kinda wanted to push myself toward something.
My mom was the one who emailed me about The Biggest Loser Run Walk series. They travel the country and have events in different cities, and they promise "celebrity appearances." It was March, and the run was in October, so I'd have literally MONTHS to train. Having an event in October meant I'd do most of my training in the summer which was quite attractive. Plus, the whole atmosphere of The Biggest Loser event was positive for newbies; they want people who'd never consider something like this to do it. That would be me. The course was pretty flat and easy.
I decided to go for it and signed up at the end of March.
For training, I vowed to do two weekly runs, a 3-mile run every Wednesday and a 4-mile run every Thursday. I'm happy to report that in ALL the weeks of training, which really started in about June, I've only missed ONE training run. I did those runs religiously, either with friends in the early morning, by myself in the morning, pushing a kid or two kids in the stroller (exhausting!), or by myself after Shane got home from work. I did well to get them all in.
Then, every week on Saturday was the "big" run. That's when you increase your numbers. Getting up to 5-, 6-, even 7-mile runs is really easy. My 7-miler was great fun and I was loaded with energy when it was over. But when you get into 8-, 9-, 10-mile runs and higher is when it gets tough. That started in about August. We hammered out a schedule that increased mileage but also gave recovery breaks. We ran 7, then 8 the next week, followed by just 3 (a 5K event in Mukilteo and I rocked it, with a killer time). Next came 9, then 10, followed by a 10K (we didn't run a real event, we just did 6 miles). Next came 11 (which I ran alone... no friends were free that day, sad), then 12, followed by an 8-miler last weekend.
The 12 was by far the hardest, most awful run. I had a terrific route planned out, but it RAINED BUCKETS on us during the whole run. It was awful. I completed that run in 2 hours 28 minutes (this is important).
Training for a half is interesting. You learn things about yourself. For example, when I burn a lot of calories I have a hard time saying no to M&Ms. Ha. You also learn what you need to run and be happy. I need my music. I need my phone in a plastic baggie in case it rains (or I'm too sweaty). I need chapstick.
I had lots of time to think and be alone. I tend to blame Shane for like, going to Home Depot after work since I'm jealous he gets to go shopping alone. I NEVER go shopping alone. But I must admit, my alone time are these runs. And I'm grateful for it.
Packet Pick-Up
Yesterday was packet pick-up in Seattle, and Shane struck me a deal so I took Wesley with me. I told Wesley if he was good while "mommy was getting my paper" we could go to the Space Needle. This kid is OBSESSED with the Space Needle. It's really cute actually.
Anyway, they have an "expo" with some booths but it was really small. For me, I wanted to see the speakers and do some of the activities. They have four or so past contestants from the Biggest Loser who are their "spokespeople" who travel with the Run Walk series and do motivational speaking.
Anyway, our people included 1) a woman from a season I didn't watch (so didn't care), 2) a guy from a season I did watch a couple years ago but who has gained a lot of the weight back and he was a little crazy in his presentation (he's a older black man and I kinda felt like I was at a Southern Baptist revival or something), and 3) a young couple that met on the show and are dating now, and it was totally a season I watched and I knew exactly who they were. I was excited to see them!! I planned it perfectly so I got to the event in time to do some dance-fitness (fun! some exercise the day before the race) and then sit and listen to them. Wesley played quietly with my cell phone. The kid was an ANGEL!!
Francelina and Jeff really just did an FAQ-type presentation when they said things like, yes, Jillian Michaels is one of the meanest people in the world; they worked out 5-6 hours a day while on the show and 1-2 hours every day now; they haven't really lost any more weight but they feel much more balanced in their exercise regimen, etc.
They opened it up for questions, and I asked TWO (not a lot of people were speaking up!). I asked 1) who made the first move and how did they get together, because frankly I did not see that coming, and 2) what was a funny story/memory about either Bob or Jillian that didn't make it on TV. Jeff answered that question, and he said first off that there's this debate about Bob being gay, and yes, 100% Bob is gay. (I'm a little disappointed!) They had a co-contestant named Alex, and her real name was Alexandra, and she was telling Bob on the treadmill one day about her sister Victoria. And Bob is like, "Alexandra! Victoria! I like that!" And she says, "yeah, my mom named us after queens." And Bob says, "so did mine!" I guess Bob was always saying funny gay things like that.
Anyway, they were cool and motivational, they just made it seem really real, like this is a real battle that some of us will face for our whole lives (umm, yesssss, me!). They talked about moderation and like, it's OK to eat ice cream once every couple weeks, but be good lots of the time. Don't have an indulgent DAY, keep it to one indulgent MEAL a week or so (which is totally what Bob Harper says too). Basically stuff I've heard before, but it was cool to hear from them. I didn't really like either of them on the show, Francelina was OK but Jeff ticked me off a bunch. I was kinda celebrity star-struck though, so what to you do. They were here and I got to talk to them.
At one point Jeff was telling the crowd about My Fitness Pal, this app I TOTALLY love for tracking calories, and at one point he caught my eye and I said something like, "so we can be friends, right?" sort of laughing, since you can add friends on there and they see your exercise and stuff. And he said, "yeah, we can be friends! My handle is JR5Nicks," or something like that. Well shoot, I wrote it down and added him that night! I'm not sure if he'll add me back, we'll see. It would be totally cool if he did though :-)
Anyway, Wesley was ready to go so we went to the Space Needle for 45 minutes or so! He was in heaven.
Then the sun set on my last day as a half-marathon virgin.
The Run
Last night I felt like I would throw up. I put my bag for today together, complete with chapstick, flip flops for afterwards, a granola bar, bottle of water, stuff like that. I charged my iPod. I stretched. I prayed.
I tried to go to bed at 9:30 and couldn't unwind. Lights were finally out at about 10:30 but I tossed and turned until probably midnight. When the alarm blared at 5:45 this morning I kinda gasped, "it's race day!" I couldn't tell if I was excited or terrified. Both, I'm sure.
Four of us carpooled down there and parked. I decided to leave my sweatshirt in the car, even though it was 47-degrees. I knew I didn't want it while running.
We checked our bags, we stretched, we used the port-a-potties. I was ready and jittery. At one point I think I was shaking. I usually roll out of bed and go for my run, so to have to WAIT AROUND for 2+ hours was beyond annoying.
Here is our "BEFORE" picture....
The gun went off. They let groups of runners go in 2-minute waves, so we actually still waited for 6 minutes or so after 8 AM.
Finally, we were off. Almost immediately, I lost my friends. They had all said that was OK, because "this is your run." You do what YOU want to do on YOUR run. No need to keep up with anyone unless you want to. I just ran.
Miles 1 and 2 were marked. According to RunKeeper on my phone, Mile 2 was my best of the race, at 10:11 minutes/mile. I was going really strong at first. They didn't mark Mile 3, which was kinda lame. I was starting to get discouraged that this was the longest 5K I've ever run when, bam, there's a sign for Mile 4. OK.
Water was offered every 2 miles but I didn't have any until Mile 6. I walked when I got my water, I downed it as quickly as I could then started running again. I'm actually REALLY proud of myself that I didn't walk more. I just felt OK. I've always said to myself that I walk when I really think I'm going to die and I need to. Up through Mile 6 I was averaging 10:xx minutes/mile, then I got progressively slower.
There were two segments of the race when you ran and ran and then turned around and doubled back to where you had been. This was interesting 1) when I was approaching the turn-around point, because I got to see all the crazy fast people in front of me, and 2) once I had turned around and I could check out the folks behind me. People watching helped to pass the time. Some people dressed in Halloween costumes. Some work sparkly tutu skirts. Still others were in all-black tight running gear (the pros.)
The race was around Lake Union. It was pretty. We were under lots of fall-colored trees. I caught gorgeous views of the water, the Space Needle, cool water fountains. I tried to keep my head up to enjoy where we were, but we were running on like, potholed streets and I was worried about rolling my ankles. I tended to keep my eyes on the ground. So that was kinda lame and my back hurt when it was all over.
They were terrible about mile markers. They only marked 1, 2, 4, 6, and then 8-12. They didn't even have a huge halfway station party, which I totally think they should have had somewhere around 6.5 miles. I didn't even know I was halfway until I hit mile marker 8.
Lots of people had their families come, and some of them made signs. At Mile 6 I say the BEST SIGN which made me laugh out loud. A young kid was carrying a poster saying, "You're running better than the government!" I gave that kid a high five.
At Mile 8 they had food... packets of GU. I've never had "goo," but my friends have. I grabbed one even though I wasn't hungry. I thought I'd keep it just in case. At about Mile 10 all of a sudden BAM, I felt famished. I didn't want that to affect my run (on my 11-mile training run I was really hungry and it definitely affects you), so I had half of the goo. It was weird stuff but did the trick.
At Mile 10.5 we were running through the UW and I got a text from my mom telling me "You go, girl! You can do it!" It was exactly what I needed. Thanks, Mom.
I decided to take Mile 11 easy. According to RunKeeper it was my slowest mile (I could totally confirm that), at 12:35 minutes/mile. But there was method to my madness... when I hit 12 I wanted to go gangbusters and push it strong to the finish. Mile 12 I did in 10:16 minutes/mile which made it my 3rd fastest mile for the whole race (fastest miles: Mile 2, Mile 3, Mile 12!)
It was the longest mile I've ever run. I was SO TIRED and I just wanted to stop. But luckily I wanted to finish more, haha. My criticism for the finish is that the race started and ended at Gasworks Park, which is a super cool park, but the iconic Gasworks structures are like, behind trees. So you're running running running and you know you've got to be getting close but you can't SEE the finish line until like BAM you're right there. That was kinda mentally challenging... it would have been nice to have it in view to push toward it. It made it hard to keep going.
At the end they give you a medal (so cool) and you grab some food. Immediately I wanted to take my shoes off and throw them. I beelined it to bag check to get my flip flops, stat. I was sorta bummed because my RunKeeper says I only went 13.06 miles. SIGH. Not even 13.1!!! Ahh GPS technology.
In the end, my final time was 2:24, an 11:02 minute/mile. Note, this is FOUR MINUTES FASTER than my 12-mile run. How awesome is that? I'm dang proud of that time. I was 67th in my age bracket (123 total) and 367th overall (~720 total). I am right smack dab in the middle!
I don't think there's any way I could have done any better. I did exactly what I came here to do.
Some "after" pictures...
Yes I'm cool and got a picture with Jeff & Franci. Go me!!!
The Aftermath
Our story doesn't end there, however... hahaha. My friend Penny came in almost right after me, and we went to the final chute to watch for our friends. We saw Vicki come through, and we went to meet her. I gave her a hug and at this point, I'm crying a bit. I didn't cry a LOT but there were wet eyes and some sobbing, at least for the first 20 minutes or so after I finished. I mean, this is a HUGE accomplishment. My body was in shock, it seriously feels as traumatic as childbirth. Immediately I felt cold. (And my sweatshirt was in the car. Dang.)
So, Vicki and I are now at the chute waiting for Jayne. Vicki says, "I see Jayne!" and then she says, "Oh, I feel dizzy. I need to lie down." And she like, almost faints as she lies down in the grass. Penny comes and asks if we should grab the Red Cross guys. We get Vicki over to Red Cross and her blood pressure is like CRAZY low. Really low. They freak out and put her in a van to warm up, try to get her to eat food, lie her down, take her blood pressure every 5 minutes, etc. She's "recovering" and the other three of us go take pictures and walk around. Finally, we're just absolutely freezing and the verdict is that Red Cross wants Vicki to go to the hospital in an ambulance but she signs a paper denying the service and saying she's going home. She's delivered to our car by a medic.
At first she says we should drop her off at her brother's house, like 3 miles away from the race. About 2 miles into the drive, she says, "Ohhhhh maybe I should go to the Emergency Room." After some back and forth, Jayne (who is awesome), finally says, "Vicki, you have until 45th to decide what to do, and if you haven't decided I'm turning left and taking you to UW."
Well, we take her to the UW. She's in triage but because she needs to lie down she's like, on a cot in a hallway. All four of us hang out for awhile, just chatting and laughing and talking about the race. Vicki is in good spirits but at first her blood pressure is still super low. We get her more food and water and like, THREE warm blankets. After probably an hour and a half she has yet to be seen by anyone -- she has a nurse but not an ARNP or a doctor -- and she gradually like, inclines the bed, then sits up, then dangles her feet, then stands up. She says she feels better. She makes the nurse take her blood pressure and again and boom! It's normal! Vicki says, "thank you very much," and we leave! Because she wasn't seen by a doctor they can't even bill the visit! Incredible! It's like UW Hospital was the hotel room we hung out in for a couple hours after the race, haha.
After that all we want is food, so we stop at Portage Bay Cafe for some brunch. The waitress gives us a fruit plate on the house because we're all sweaty, in our running clothes, but wearing our medals and beaming with pride. I had ham and cheese scrambled eggs and it was fabulous. We had more time to talk and laugh. My friends are AWESOME!!!
I finally get home at 3:30 PM. I'm so sore. I can barely move. Advil didn't help (it usually does). I was afraid if I stopped moving I would never be able to move again, so I suggested we go on a nice leisurely family walk, HAHA! It was great to get the kids out of the house on such a nice fall day.
My last act as a half-marathoner? Taking the credit with the car sticker.... in this case I got a second "Badge of Ownership" for my Subaru.
I also wore my medal. All day. I'm feeling good. Will I do this again? OK. I've been thinking. 1) I'd prefer to do a race on a Saturday, not a Sunday. 2) I'd like to be able to train again in the summer. No winter races. And 3) I think I need to like, be even more healthy (read: weigh less), because I'm not sure how I could
improve upon my time and experience from today. So, if the stars align and all three of those things happen, then I'd probably do it again. (My mom wants me to do Las Vegas Rock & Roll, right Mom? ;-)
I will definitely sleep well tonight!!! Now here's the big question... do I run on Saturday? And how long?
(PS I'll post more pictures when the Biggest Loser posts the race images. I know they took a bunch of me running like a crazy fool!)
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