I did it. Yesterday, the 5th of May (or Cinco de Mayo to those who need a reason to drink), I ran in the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon.
Now, I have to share the back story of my participation in this event for anyone to really appreciate this accomplishment. Back around February, I had great intentions of registering for this race. I have done a 15k in the past, and I was just itching to do a half marathon. This was going to be my year. As I ran on the treadmill, thinking about registering as soon as I was done with my workout, my friend texted me and told me that the race was sold out. He had been able to register for it, but now I was S-O-L. Disappointed, I shrugged it off and moved on.
Fast forward to the first week in April. I was browsing Facebook one afternoon when I saw a shared post from my friend Jessi's sister advertising a race bib for sale. Immediately, I commented with, "I'll take it!" It turned out that Jessi had registered for the race, but unfortunately suffered a case of Achilles tendonosis and couldn't run. I felt bad because she had trained so hard, but I was also excited to get the opportunity to participate.
I had been running pretty steady since January, but I hadn't really been training for anything in particular. My high mileage days were six max and done on the treadmill. I had four weeks to get ready. And then I got bronchitis. Scratch that, I had three weeks to get ready!
I developed an intense three-week training schedule that included lunchtime runs around my office building, two 5k races, and some evening distance runs. I was able to stay consistent with my lunchtime runs, but the evening runs didn't often happen. I did manage to pull off 9.5 miles on the treadmill one Monday evening though.
Thursday, May 2, I was as ready as I was going to be. I was done with my training and planned for two rest days before the event on Sunday. I set my goal time at 2:45:00. Pretty modest, but I didn't know how much of the race I'd have to walk. I just wanted to finish.
The atmosphere in downtown Pittsburgh at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning was incredible! Thousands of people gathered in the streets - marathoners, half marathoners and relay runners - stretching and getting amped up for the run. "Boston Strong" bibs hung off the backs of many runners' shirts. The energy was high, and my nerves were too!
I stood in Corral E, listening to the opening ceremony, the National Anthem and God Bless America. And then the countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...the elite runners were off! Tick, tock, tick, tock. Twenty minutes later, Corral E made it's way to the starting line, and we were off!
The first six miles seemed to fly by. I jogged at a comfortable pace and my body felt good. I took in the sights: the Strip District, the bands that lined the streets, the spectators and their signs, the rivers. It was a beautiful day for a run!
Mile seven, mile eight. Still doing okay. Mile nine. I need a boost. Running through the South Side, heading for the marathon/half marathon split, I saw a familiar face in the crowd. My friend Amy, along with her students, stood cheering the runners on. Of course I had to run over and say "hi!" And that was the boost that carried me over the Birmingham Bridge.
Mile 10. Boulevard of the Allies. I need a water station! Mile 11. Mile 12. There's no sense in walking now. I'm almost there! I can see the finish line! I'm behind the 2:15:00 pacer! Mile 13. RUN!
And then I crossed the finish line. 2:37:22. Holy shit I beat my goal! I did it! I ran 13.1 miles! The feeling of accomplishment cannot even be described. I was...proud.
My official finish time for the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon was 2:17:37. My average pace was 10:30. I crushed my goal.
So, what's next on my running agenda? Another half marathon? You bet! But not the Pittsburgh Half. I'm shooting for the full next year! And I will definitely give myself more than three weeks to train!
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