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| Made for the long haul! |
It's over. The day I've been half dreading and half hoping for is over. I conquered the 17th Annual Tom King Classic Half Marathon. Of course, "conquered" may be an exageration of sorts but this is my blog so I can make it sound however I want :) If you've been following my blog, you know that I did not prepare very well for this race. Old Man Winter kicked my chicken--I don't like running outside in the cold--so I did not get in my recommended long runs leading up to the race. My longest was probably right at 7 but definitely under 8--and that was only once!
Needless to say I was nervous. If you've ever done a half marathon you know the kind of wear your body goes through. It's not like hopping into a 5k at the last minute; multiply that 5k by 4.22! Add to that I thought I was getting "signs" not to do it: the shoes I ordered had to be returned so I waited too late to break in new ones, I forgot to pick up my race packet, my MP3 player crashed. Plus, I started getting hot in my nifty race outfit so I had to change shirts in the parking lot right before the race. These are not good signs, people!
For the first time in my oh so extensive (not) racing career the "turtles" got to start early. I'm used to us being waaaaayyyyy in the back so as not to interfere with the "real runners." Let me tell you, it felt awesome to be AT the starting line. I swear I heard the bagpipes playing "Chariots of Fire"--yes, they had a bagpipe player. You should have seen me! Shoulders back, eyes straight ahead, strong strides, wind blowing through my afro. . .for about a good 45 seconds. For 30 minutes we tortoises had the course all to ourselves with no pesky hares.
After that show of bravado for the crowd I started my intervals. I must have looked like a pro because at mile two a couple of ladies asked if I was listening to an interval program. That's when I hipped them to my oh so intricate technique: walk until you're bored, run until you're tired. I soon realized they were Yip-Yappers so I ran farther ahead to get away from them. That's when I peeped out my "pace group." For the next three miles we played cat-and-mouse, keeping each other at about a 13:50 pace. (shut it! I told you I am slow.) I even had the audacity to taunt the 11 mile marker by pointing and saying, "I'll be back!" I think I saw it shiver in fear, or maybe the wind blew it, whatever.
About 50 minutes into the race the "real runners" appeared. All of a sudden the once peaceful course was full of sweaty, iPod wearing runners. I'm not sure what happened but I think my inner She-Ra had a sip of 5 Hour Energy because I was getting it! You should have heard me, "On your left!" as I passed people. And then the cramping started. . .The distance between my pace group and me became wider and wider until eventually they were about a mile ahead of me.
At about 6.5 miles the outer three toes on my left foot went numb. I have no idea why. At mile 8 I was fighting off cramps in my left calf and hamstring, right ankle, numb right foot, and numb under my big toe on my left foot. My inner She-Ra must have gone out for a latte because that heifer was nowhere to be found. On top of that, I was out of water and the next water station wasn't until mile 10. About half-way through the 9th mile I caught up with one of my pace group buddies; she was suffering with a aching ankle and blisters on her feet. We walked together for a while but she eventually passed me.
When I finally made it to mile 10 I could feel myself run out of steam (filled up my water bottle!). I started to give up but all of a sudden the image of Jesus Christ walking up to Calvary carrying a cross flashed through my mind and I heard "finish the course set before you." Thankfully no one was around me because I was sobbing. I cannot tell you the pain I was feeling. About that time I passed by the 11th mile marker again, but this time it taunted me; I could swear I it sounded like that kid from the Simpson's (Ha,Ha!).
At the marker for mile 12 I could see the stadium in the distance. I raised my hands over my head (at this point my hands were swollen) and just yelled, "Thank you, Jesus!" The man next to me laughed and said, "Amen!" Just as I rounded the corner for the trek into the tunnel (we ran through the players tunnel onto the football field) I saw a man in a yellow shirt with a picture of Christ carrying a cross; it read "He walked for you and me." OMG!! You know I started crying again.
As I rounded the field I saw myself on the jumbo tron and heard them say "Jenita Lawal" and three people ahead of me was my pace group buddy. We hugged and thanked each other for the encouragement. Although my official time (3:23:10) was not what I had hoped (3:15) I am so thankful to have finished. My time was actually 10 minutes and 26 seconds better than my pace 6 months ago for the WHM Nashville. I know that if I had hydrated properly and avoided the leg cramps I would have come in at about 3 hours even.
This tortoise will be better prepared for the 13.1 Chicago in June. One day I may morph into a hare. . .what I lack in speed I make up for in heart. Onward!
To become a member of Jenita Lawal's team, please visit www.beachbodycoach.com/fitgirlposse and sign up for a free membership. To view the Fit Girl Posse run/walk schedule, visit http://www.fitgirlposse.com/ . Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fitgirlposse Be Fit4Life!!
