Friday, November 4, 2011

First Half Marathon - Hershey Half

Wow, I can't believe it has taken me this long to write about my first Half. October 16, 2011 was the day. I was nervous, excited and very emotional. I have never cried during a race before. But after I passed the starting line, I felt the tears - I was actually doing this. I also have never really enjoyed a race before, and I have to admit I enjoyed this race. It was one of the hardest things I have done to date (besides labor of course). The hills were killer, but I took each one and braced for the next one. I was doing awesome until around mile 10. I hadn't walked once, but then both calves cramped at the same time. I almost fell. 

I have never had anything 'cramp' during a run. I tried to run through it, but knew that wasn't going to happen. So I powerwalked. I was disappointed that I had to walk, especially so close to the finish, but I knew if i didn't I wasn't going to be able to finish. I then again tried to run, and after about 20 steps my legs cramped again. This time it cramped all the way up to my thighs. So I powerwalked again and then tried running again - same thing. 

At this point, I knew I had to walk/limp/shuffled if I wanted to finish. I think the last mile took me close to 20 minutes to complete. 

But you know what, I DID IT. It wasn't pretty. But I completed my first Half Marathon and I didn't get picked up by the bus - 2:38:36.

Fast forward to today's date.... well... after the race I was extremely sore.. and I developed some pain in my left foot. But it was my right heel that was bothering me. I had an issue with it before the race and ran through it. To make a long story short, I decided to go to a podiatrist about my right heel. While I was there he wanted to x-ray my left foot because of pain on top of my foot... come to find out I have a stress fracture. So the Hershey Half gave me an extra medal - a nice cast on my foot. I'm off it for 4-6 weeks probably. My left heel has a plantar's wart which may have to be cut out in two weeks if the meds don't work. 

Sooo.... I suppose if I have to be sidelined, Winter works for me. 

I'll be back. I've already signed up for the VA Beach Half Marathon next year. 




Posted by at 10:28 AM
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1 comments:

  1. Congratulations! If I remember correctly, you were going to do the HHM last year, but weren't able to?
    My husband and I ran as a relay team last year and we were also very proud to have both finished. Being new runners (at 52) it was the first time we had ever attempted any kind of race. We registered for the HHM this year and trained all summer, but we just weren't up to speed and, with that pace requirement, I was afraid of being "picked up by the bus" too. We also both got sinus infections in early Oct which affected our breathing, so we finally decided not to go. I'm glad you went and enjoyed it. Hope your fracture heals fast!

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