I can’t believe I finished it. This has to be one of the best feelings in the world. To have accomplished something that I never dreamed I would be able to do in a million years. This is something I never would have thought of when I was overweight. Or even thought of when I was starting to lose weight. I figured I was lucky to start my walking at a mile a day and work my way up to 8 miles a day. Not all at one time, mind you. Never thought I could do 13.1 miles at one time. Sure, maybe, if I broke the number down and did it over the course of a day. But never from start to finish. But I did it! Go me!
The day was over cast and looked like it might rain. I don’t think rain would have even stopped me from finishing what I started. All I had in the back of my mind was to finish the race and to not be last. I managed to do both. The half marathon started at 8 am. I was thinking I would be walking throughout most of it. Surprised myself that I did alot of running too. Maybe that is why I am sore because I have used the muscles from running more then I am used to doing. LOL.
The trail that was used was really nice. It was along the coast and parts of it was marsh land. Beautiful area for this because I was hoping I would not get bored at anytime during this. There were times that I didn’t necessarily get discouraged but had feelings that the first half kept getting further and further out of my reach. Until I saw a table looming within my sights. As soon as I saw that table, I knew I had neared the half-way mark. All I had to do was go around the table and make my way back to the beginning and cross that finish line.
Along the way, they had aids stations so you could stop and get some water, gatorade as well as snacks they had there. I always went for a cup of water and half a banana. Listening to a friend of mine, I stopped at every station they had set up and made sure I drank some water and had some banana before I started on my way again. I wasn’t about to be dehydrated when I was doing 13.1 miles.
The only thing I didn’t like was that a good portion of the trail going into the first half of the marathon was on gravel. It made it even harder to try and run on gravel so I ended up doing most of my walking when I was on the gravel. I tried to run on it but it was too hard for me so I tried to stick to the walking except for the times I wanted to pick up some time and keep within my 15 minutes or less per mile pace that I had set for myself. I was so glad when I headed back on the second half of the marathon and saw pavement again. Not only seeing the pavement but knowing I was so close to the end. So close to finishing. So close to accomplishing something this huge for me.
I was so happy when I crossed the finish line! I did it! I set out to do this and I did! I always knew that can do anything that you set your mind to doing and this goes to show that is true.
I was 467 out of 485 people who were doing the half marathon portion since their was a 5K and a 10K going on as well. I was 38 out of 42 in my female age group. It only took me 3 hours 17 minutes and 49 seconds to complete but at least I finished. That is all that mattered to me. Finishing and not being last. I managed to do both.
