Happy Birthday to me, I completed my first 1/2 Marathon!

BaseballMom18

I know it's been awhile since I posted, life has just been CRAZY! I wanted to update you on how things are going in my world since my weight loss journey began last August!

Well it's official, I finished my first 1/2 marathon on April 2nd! This was just one day after my 35th birthday and what an AMAZING gift to myself after going through my weigh loss journey! You can see my story here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/143816-my-16-week-transformation-before-and-after-pics

It was such an amazing accomplishment for me and was definitely a battle both mentally and physically. I finished in 2:38:02 which is better than I expected, I was shooting for 3 hours. There were lots of people so the atmosphere was great! I met up with my personal trainer prior to race for a few pics and last minute pointers (she is a avid runner).



From left to right: My trainer Steph Terry, Andrea Kellgren (dear friend & running partner) & Myself



I had a really great first half of race and was able to run it(outside of stopping at aid stations to get water, drink it, and take off again). At the 5K mark (3 mile) I was almost 4 minutes ahead of my fastest 5K time so I was stoked!

The second half is where the struggle began for me, they said the course was really flat and fast-NOT!!! It had many hills that we had to run down and then back up! Mile 9 is where I started to really start to break down mentally, until Katie Perry's song Firework came on- this is my 6 yo son Lucas' fave song and he sings it all the time. So I got a little teary eyed and then said "Stop crying, this mile is for Lucas!"

As I reached mile 10 fatigue started to set in along with major cramping from the backs of my ankles all the way into my hips. So I sent my hubby a text (since he was working and unable to be there) and he sent me messages to keep me going. Each mile I sent him a text and he would send me some words of inspiration to keep me going like "almost there, keep pushing" or "don't give up believe you can do it, I know you can." From mile 12-13 seemed so long and I had to walk more 'cause I was in SERIOUS pain and wanted to give up but I kept plugging along.

Finally some downhill and the text comes "No matter what don't walk across that finish line, you run or you won't be happy!"
I can see it the mile 13 marker, only .1 to go time to dig deep! I crossed that finish line with tears streaming down my face and was immediately embraced by my friend. We shared a little moment full of hugs and tears before heading to get a banana and take our pics with our medals at the finisher backdrop!

After the race I text hubby to let him know I finished and he sends me "You are my HERO, good job I'm so proud of you!" The people along the course were AMAZING, cheering us on and holding up funny and supportive signs!

I would have never have dreamed of running a 1/2 marathon before starting my journey, but know I know all things are possible if you put your mind to it! Take your journey one day at a time, YOU CAN DO IT!!!



Hugs,
Christy

BaseballMom18

Also just wanted to share some pics of what started me down this path.

This was last May:



This was in January, these are same pants from photo above:

courtrptr13

Congrats! What an awesome accomplishment! I am going to run a half marathon someday too. I did a full marathon in 2005, but walked the whole second half of it so I was kind of let down. I want to do a half and run the whole thing. You should be so proud of yourself!

awelch79

Your story brought tears to my eyes! What an inspiration!

My husband has run 3 mini marathons and loves it ...I have only just run my first 5 K...but I keep telling myself thats where he started, too! I hope to one day run the Indianapolis 500 mini with him He runs with team DetermiNation for the American Cancer Society in honor of my mom who died 3 years ago. I always take the kids and watch him finish and I am always in tears as I watch people finish with tears streaming down their cheeks and seeing such a sense of accomplishment on their faces...and hearing all of the encouragement & cheering from the crowds always gets me, too!

Congratulations on such an accomplishement! Way to go!

Homer3D

Congrats on your first 1/2 marathon. I completed my first in 2009. It was an amazing feeling having believe in yourself enough just to compete in one. And equally awesome finishing it. I was doing about an 11:30 - 12 minute mile pace until mile 9 where I hit the "WALL". I still finished, but I knew those last couple of miles were slow. I was also i major pain those last couple of miles too. Couldn't walk at all the next day. I want to do it again and see if I can sustain the same pace throughout the entire race.

JennCh

Congrats! What an accomplishment. Your story had me smiling all the way through. My hubby is my biggest supporter, and without him, I'd not be able to do as well as I do with the events I enter. Having that one person there to encourage you can make a world of difference. Excellent job with the run. Really an awesome achievement.