In September 2003, I ran my first half marathon. It was the Adirondack Half-Marathon in Schroon Lake, NY. What a beautiful race! I remember being a bit anxious about the distance, but I really enjoyed the race. I finished in 2 hours, 21 seconds. Really? Twenty-one seconds?
After that, I did not race another half-marathon. Until today. It is ten years later (okay, nine and a half years) and I felt the same way I did before the Schroon Lake race. Nervous, particularly about the distance. But this time I was surprised by my anxiety. After all, I had run half-marathons within a half-ironman triathlon. I even "ran" the marathons in a full Ironman. Why was I anxious? I realized that I was hoping to go under that two hour mark and I was nervous that I wouldn't do it. After all, I had just started building my running base again, coming off an injury and I am ten years older than that last race! (Okay, nine and a half years older.) Why so nervous? Well, I really wanted to go under two hours. I mean, I really wanted it! I wanted to prove that, despite the running re-start and being nine and a half years older, I could get faster.
The race was the 50th running of the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon in Wilmington, Delaware. It's close to where Randy grew up and he has done the race several times, usually with me cheering him on. It's a great race and the atmosphere was very festive.
The race starts with a downhill. Very dangerous to have a smoking first mile. But, I didn't let it go to my head and decided that the extra 40 seconds for that mile would be banked for the uphills to come. But, I felt great all the way through the first half. My first four miles were under my goal pace of 9:00/mile. Then the hills started. The way the people around me were talking, you would have thought we were about the climb the Alps. Truth be told, I didn't think the hills were that bad. Either they weren't that bad, or I was so well prepared.... hills? what hills? I felt great. I slowed a bit, but nothing that set me off my goal pace. The race got flat(ish) again and ended with some nice downhills. Again, nothing too steep...just enough to boost my pace again. I always try to take advantage of that free speed! The last four miles were about the same pace as my first four!
My finish time is officially 1:57:17 which means I was holding a pace of 8:57 per mile! I am soooo happy with this result! It makes me feel like I'm back to being a runner again and that my goals for Lake Placid are realistic.
Of course, I could not have done this without Randy. As my coach, he has been great. Clearly his plan for me is working! As my husband, he is even greater. Even though he is a little faster than I am (okay, a LOT faster), he always lets me know that he is proud of me. Thank you, honey!
And, a shout out to our friend Keith. He had an amazing race today, taking 7 minutes off of last years' time! He was a great (and silent) running partner!
So, now I get a few days to recover. I pushed it today and that was the plan. But now I have to rest the legs to move on with my Lake Placid training...bring it!
