This was my 1st run ever that I decided to run for a goal time. I wanted to race this one and see if I could do a half marathon in under 2 hours. My 1st half marathon was in Jan and goal for that one was to complete it - which I knew I could do. Then in my training for this half marathon on both of my longest run days there just happened to be other half marathons going on so I ran those just as training runs - even though I PR'd each time. This one I wanted to push myself and for the 1st time ever I got the pre-race jitters as I was setting out my race stuff. I ended up getting a bad sleep that night, got up and ready way too early and was way overly excited and thought there was no way I could PR by a little over 6 minutes.
I started out way to fast and knew it. I thought I should slow down but then talked myself into keeping pace since I thought I could keep that pace up for the whole race. Loved running through Kenosha and was surprised at the amount of people cheering you on with cowbells which I also thought was perfect for a Wisconsin marathon. Did fine all the way through mile 9 and then the wind which was not horribly bad combined with the rolling hills started to get to me. I had a slight pain in my sides and felt like I was barely moving. Looked at my Garmin and knew I was slowing but still thought I might be able to make my goal and I was out there to push myself anyway.
Even though I took water at all of the water stops and walked through the water stops I was feeling dehydrated at about mile 11 and was so glad when I saw the water stop just before mile 12. That also happened to be the point where the half marathoners split from the marathoners. I did have some Garmin issues so I really was not sure how I was doing on total time but I figured no matter what time I got I was going to push myself to leave everything on the race course.
That last mile was really rough but when I got close enough to see the clock at the finish line I knew I had met my goal - official time was 1:57:04 - a PR by 9 minutes!!! And yes although I don't have a picture of it I did raise my arms. I am so very proud of myself knowing that I gave it everything I had and actually raced a half marathon. (Oh yeah, this was also the first race wearing Newtons. Love the shoes!!)I stayed for a little while afterward and cheered on some of the marathoners finishing. Was my 1st time cheering on other runners and I loved it. Someday I will be a marathoner like all those people - and if all goes well it will be the Chicago marathon in October. I was very emotional watching marathoners finish especially watching kids run the last little part next to their parents. Everyone out there running is a winner.
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