Runner of Steel Recap

Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day.  Perfect for completing my second half-marathon.  I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't apprehensive, especially after some bad training runs and the events that unfolded at the Boston Marathon.

 

I will be the first to admit that it was not easy.  Not one part of the journey - training, race day or recovery.  It was also not my best run either but I DID IT!  That's what counts!  Yes, I had to walk a few times and I took longer than I had hoped but I need to look at he positive.

At the beginning of the race, I got caught up in the herd, which is never good.  I ran my fastest 5K ever at 33 minutes (I know, I'm slow) and my fastest 10K as well at just over an hour, which gives me confidence for future shorter races. However, I hit a wall soon after the 10K mark since I was running so fast.  I finished though!  My time doesn't matter.

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

Four days later and I am almost back to normal.  I was a little sore at the beginning of the week but my biggest problem has been dehydration.  I thought I was drinking enough but it wasn't good enough.  Since Sunday, I've been a textbook case of dehydration but thanks to lots of water and Gatorade I'm definitely on the mend.

I ran because had such a great time participating last year and wanted to do it again this year; however, my goals shifted in the last weeks of training.  I ran for Boston. For those that died or were injured.  For those that worked so hard to qualify and then couldn't finish.  For the hope that marathons will someday return to the great community events that they used to before the tragedy.

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

The half-marathon has been at the forefront the last few months. It's weird now that it's over.  I can just go to Highland Park to run for no other reason but to run.  I thought about training for the triathlon downtown in August but I have to work. I'm trying to talk my sister Annie into running the Canton half-marathon in September or running the relay there with our sister Meg, my fiancé Dennis and her boyfriend, Dalin.  We will see.  For now, I'm going to run, swim and bike and enjoy the warm weather and of course do the Lakeside Annual Fund Run in a few weeks.

Running the half-marathon would not have been possible without the support of so many of my friends and family, including Dennis, Amy, Barb and Meg.  Dennis encouraged me every step of the way during training, especially when I didn't think I could do it; made sure I was downtown the day of the race, even if it meant squeezing me into the back of the KDKA live truck; and took care of me during these last four days of recovery.  Amy got me started on this running kick a few years ago and even though she is much faster than me, she is a constant motivator and I loved running with her the first few miles.  Barb and Meg got up early to come down and cheer me on at the last mile when it was most needed.  I'm grateful to the four of you and to every one of my Facebook friends who liked my statuses, read my blog posts and posted words of encouragement.

(Barb, Meg and I at Point State Park following the race.)

It was an exhilarating journey and I can't wait for the next one!