Race Recap

I DID IT!!!!!!!!

I honestly still can’t believe that on Sunday I ran 13.1 miles!!!!!!!  Wow……  I remember back in December when I couldn’t run more than 2 minutes at a time and I just ran 13.1 freaking miles!?!?  Are you kidding me?  Okay, let’s back up a bit.

FRIDAY we drove to Green Bay where the race was taking place.  We shopped during the day, went out for sushi for supper, and then went to a friends house that night to watch a movie and sleep.  We did fit in a movie but unfortunately sleep was nowhere to be found.  I could not sleep AT ALL and neither could Chad and I think we got like 2 hours total

SATURDAY we kind of just hung out in the morning at our friends house and watched the Saturday morning shows on tv.  Around 11 we went to their local YMCA (since we’re members back home and could go for free).  It was so much fun checking out another Y!  I wanted to take it easy but do something to keep my leg muscles lose so I did 30 easy minutes on the elliptical and then some weights.

Around 3 we went to the hotel to check in and meet my COLLEGE ROOMIE!!!!!!!! as she got into town.  I love this girl so, so much!  We were freshman roommates in college and got along SO well and have been best friends ever since!  Unfortunately she lives about 2 hours away so we only see each other a couple times a year, but when we do, it’s a total blast!  She was coming to support me during my half (she’s run a couple half marathon’s and a FULL!) and was going to do the 5k with Chad in the morning!!

At 4 we went over to Lambeau Field to register and check out the running expo.  I got a few things and just looked around and got super stoked for Sunday!  I loved being amidst so many runners and finally “FEEL” like a runner!  Check out our professional photo at the expo!

After the expo, we headed over to Olive Garden to carb load   Unfortunately since there was a ton going on in Green Bay (the marathon, graduation, and a Keith Urban concert) we had to wait for an hour and a half!!  But finally we made it in and got some yummy pasta and breadsticks.

We got back to the hotel around 8:30 and I prepped for the next morning: pinned on my race bib, laid out my clothes, etc.  I was getting SO pumped!  Thankfully I was so tired from the sleepless night on Friday that I slept okay….probably about 5 hours which is more than I thought I’d get.

SUNDAY I literally popped out of bed at 5:30 when our wake up call came.  I was so excited that my nerves didn’t even have a chance to come   We headed to Lambeau Field around 6:30 but unfortunately since traffic was absolutely insane, Chad and Mandy were 10 minutes late for their 7:00 5k!  Oops!  But they kissed/hugged me good bye and were on their way.  My race didn’t start until 7:30 so I had 30 minutes to use the potty, get nervous, and get to the starting line.

The start was absolute INSANITY!!!!!!  There were 10,000 runners and although it’s a really well organized race, it can only be SO organized with that many people!  10,000 runners!!!!!  I crossed the starting line about 5 minutes after the race went off – not too shabby.

Mile 1 – I took off at what seriously felt like SUCH a slow pace….I felt like I was crawling!  I looked down though and somehow was pacing at 8:30/mile!  WHAT?  Normally I start out at 11/mile.  WOAH!  I got so caught up in the excitement and I actually started to cry as I started the race.  It was so emotionally overwhelming that 5 short months ago I couldn’t even run for 2 minutes and now I was running 13.1 miles.  Plus with all the people and families there, I was just amazed by everything and had to just let it all soak in.  The sun was shining and it was a wonderful 45* – perfect running weather!

Miles 2-11 – I know that’s a big gap but honestly, these miles were a blur.  It was so incredibly awesome running with people that I didn’t even notice I was running for the most part.  It sounds silly but it’s true, I was on a true runner’s high and was loving every second of it.  I had a friend that was running the Half as well and we had planned on meeting up before the race and running together, but because there were so many people and it was so chaotic, I never found her.  At mile 3 though, I felt a tap on my shoulder, turned around, and there she was!!!!!!  Crazy, huh?  10,000 runners and she found me!  We ran 5 miles or so together but then ended up splitting up but met up at the end after the finish.

Mile 12 – Chad and Mandy were supposed to meet me somewhere along the course but with then running the 5k, they weren’t sure when they’d be able to meet up with me.  Once I crossed the 12 mile marker, I was losing hope….about 30 seconds later though, I turned a corner and THERE THEY WERE!!!!!  I got a huge grin on my face and kept it the rest of the race.  It was perfect timing because I was starting to poop out!  Here’s me handing off my long-sleeve shirt (smiling the whole time):

At about 12.5 miles was when we entered Lambeau Field and since I knew I only had 5 minutes left, I started to give it my all and sprint through Lambeau.

Mile 13 – Once we got out of Lambeau I knew it was a sprint to the finish so I just bolted.

And then it was over!!!!  I still couldn’t stop smiling knowing that I had accomplished the biggest goal I’ve ever set for myself: running a Half Marathon!!

And now for the exciting part, my time.  Remember how I had set a goal for myself of 2:19?  Well?  I CRUSHED IT!  I finished at 2:11!  I honestly couldn’t believe it – that’s the fastest I’ve ever ran, even during my shorter distances!  Here are the stats, courtesy of my Garmin

• Mile 1 – 10:01
• Mile 2 – 10:03
• Mile 3 – 10:12
• Mile 4 – 10:09
• Mile 5 – 10:08
• Mile 6 – 10:00
• Mile 7 – 9:50 (!!)
• Mile 8 – 9:56
• Mile 9 – 9:58
• Mile 10 – 10:15
• Mile 11 – 9:55
• Mile 12 - 9:51 (!!)
• Mile 13 – 9:47 (!!WOOOO!!)

Can you believe it??  I couldn’t! 

Chad and I at the finish line -

Mandy, Chad, and I : Running Besties!!!

And of course a post race Bloody Mary! 

Obviously, I had an AMAZING experience and loved every second of it.  I can’t wait to do another!!!!!