Saturday, May 8, 2010

Long Island Half Marathon

Well, it has taken me almost a week, but here it is...my race report!

I grew up on Long Island, but now live 4 hours away. Originally my mom and daughter were going to come along with me, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I ended up going by myself. The race was on Sunday, but I drove down on Saturday so I could pick up my number and race packet at the Expo. The Expo was small, but I did manage to get 2 shirts from the Run Like a Girl booth...one for me and one for MissyMiss.

Saturday night was the first time I ever slept in a hotel room alone....very strange! It was a bit lonely, but also a little nice to settle down and watch a movie in the quiet without having to explain to the front desk why I can't keep my 3-year-old away from the phone. :)

I went to bed around 11, but had a hard time sleeping! I had 2 alarms and a wake-up call set, but was still worried about oversleeping and ended up waking up every hour!

I was up for good at 6 and checked e-mail, watched some tv and had my traditional long run breakfast: bread with peanut butter, mini Kitkat and Capri sun.

My hotel was right across the street from the starting line, which ROCKED! I left my room with 30 minutes until race time. The weather called for record high heat and humidity, so I decided to wear my hydration belt and was very glad I did!

With a few minutes to go I found my spot at the "10+ minute miles" and waited to start. Before I knew it, we were off! I got really emotional at the start of the race. It had been along road just to get there and it almost felt like a dream. My plan was to stay around 11:00-11:30 miles. It was VERY crowded and my first mile was likely even slower. I am not used to racing in such a big crowd!

The first few miles were FUN! Everyone around me was so excited and the energy was great. I noticed that as the miles ticked by people got quieter and quieter.

There was a water stop just about every mile and since it was so hot and humid, I drank at every water stop. By mile 5 I was feeling like I should use a porta-potty, but as I ran by one, it had a good 6 people on line. I didn't want to lose time, so I just kept running. The next one also had a line.

At mile 6 I ate my fruit flat even though I didn't feel hungry. I definitely felt better after eating it.

Now I am around mile 7 or 8 and know I have to use the bathroom soon. The guys are running behind stores and into bushes, but I could never do that. At this point, we are on a highway with lots of store and I spot it...a DUNKIN DONUTS!! As I am pondering running in, I see a guy running out. That decided it, I ran in for a quick pit stop, even washed my hands and then right back out on the course!

The rest is a blur. As the miles went out people really slowed down and more and more took walking breaks. I was able to run the whole race and was shocked with how many people I passed in the last few miles. On my long runs, I always picked up the pace a bit for the last mile or so and I was able to do that during the race and passed a TON of people during the last mile. I felt AWESOME at the finish!!

I finished in 2:27. My #1 was to just finish. My 2nd goal was to finish under 2:30, so I did it!!!

I am still a bit in shock that I actually achieved something I have dreamed about for so long!!!

Here are a few pics from the race:


The starting line! The race actually started on the other side of the ballon arch.

Me before the race

Me after the race....I DID IT!!!

I have felt a bit strange this week...a little lost regarding my running. For so long I have been so focused about running this half. It was a little strange to not have a plan for what next. So...I signed up for a 5K the first weekend in June! My plan for the summer is to work on speed and the local 5 and 10Ks.
I also apologize for not vising everyone's blogs as much as usual...it has been a crazy week! I intend to catch up in the next few days!

30 comments:

Running Diva Mom said...

Congratulations on finishing and exceding your goal! Great job!!

Laura said...

Congrats! Great accomplishment!

Christina said...

Congrats on achieving all your goals!

chris mcpeake said...

Congrat on your HM and hitting your goal time.
Way to go

Jessica said...

Congrats!! Miles 7-10 always blur out for me too :)
I hate that post race let down. I wish I had a 5k to perk me up too!

heather said...

Great job!

Heather said...

Congratulations - great job! It's a nice feeling to still be running when everyone around you is walking.

Christine said...

Congratulations!! This is a great accomplishment!! I like your stop at Dunkin Donuts, that funny! :) I hear you on the post race feeling, I usually select another race the very next day :)

MCM Mama said...

Congratulations on your finish! Way to hit your time goal! Excellent job staying strong too the end.

greentigress said...

Congrats!! I love that you took your own before and after photos
that is so cool it's a great record of how great running makes you feel!

Julie said...

Congrats to you Sarah!! You did great:) What a great feeling to finish under your goal time!! I loved reading your race report and you had great pictures...love the bling and that big smile on your face:)

indyhumes said...

Great job!

EricaH said...

Great job on your first half sounds like a really good experience which gives me a little hope for my first half. Congrats on beating your goal time.

robison52 said...

Congrats on completing both of your goals of just finishing and getting under 2:30! Plus, your training paid big dividends as you were able to run the whole distance and even picked it up during the last stretch...GREAT JOB! Yup, those crowded starts takes are difficult, and I'll never get accustomed to them.

Wilma Lee said...

Whew!!! We did it! And I'm exhausted, lol. You are awesome, and I feel proud of you. Way to go girl!!

Anne said...

Woohoo! You did it! My first half is coming up soon and finishing under 2:30 is also my second goal (after finishing :))! I'm inspired!

Cheri said...

Sarah,

Your pictures of yourself before and after the race look the same, you don't even look winded. By the way...CONGRATULATIONS! Your amazing.

Holly - Run Like the Wind (or Shuffle Like an Old Lady) said...

Congrats!!!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome Sarah, Great job in meeting your goal.

Congratulations
Marc

Michelle said...

Awesome! Congratulations!

Yay for DD!

I felt the same way after finishing the half - what do I do now? It was frustrating. Glad you found a quick solution!

NY Wolve said...

Keep up the good work! Great result and onto the next...

greydawn said...

wow wow! great run report!! and I so understand the restless sleep the night before the big race. I have 25 days until my second Half Marathon my goal is to come in under 2:30 and very smart to get another race in the works to prevent post event blues!!

Unknown said...

A belated congratulations to you!

Tanya said...

Congratulations on a great race! I'm glad to know you finished so strong and met your goals. Yup, it is kind of a let down after a big race-it's always a good idea to give yourself another goal race to keep yourself running!

Stacey said...

Yay! Congrats on finishing and achieving your goals! I hate that post race let down! I always have to sign up for another race too! :)

Diana said...

Congratulations on accomplishing your goal! I loved the 'before' and 'after' pictures...you look just as fresh in the 'after' as you did in the 'before' shot!
Obviously, you were well prepared for the distance! Great job!

Melissa Oliver said...

Congratulations on a job well done! Way to stay strong through the finish! Awesome!!

Heidi said...

I missed your race report :( Booo.

So, SO, SO happy for you! Great race report too.

I think that let-down or lost feeling after a big race is pretty normal. I've experienced it a few times. Though after my race last weekend I am still so pumped. I desperately want another fix ... soon!

Congrats, you did great!!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Congrats on not only finishing, but beating your goal time, too!

Molly said...

Great job with making your goal, and then some!! The Dunkin Donuts pit stop cracked me up!