The Gulf Coast Half-Marathon is complete and I made it across the finish line.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
– No matter how hard you try, you will probably not get a good night’s sleep before the race, especially knowing that you have to be up and at ’em at 4:30 AM.
– The same goes for going to the bathroom beforehand, which is a pretty essential thing to do before a long race. Knowing that you NEED to go makes going very difficult.
– Hitting a wall tends to happen at mile 10. We stopped for a bit at mile 10 1/2 to drink water & walk through some pain.
– A half-marathon in Louisiana needs a water table at every mile starting at mile 9. Ridiculous. It’s HOT!
– Those that run/walk the race should not be in the same course as those who are attempting to run the whole race. Doesn’t seem accurate to say “I ran a half-marathon” when you actually walked half of it.
– Once you get to mile 11 1/2, you can pick up the pace or sprint. The finish line is so close and the crowd is amazing! I wish I could bottle that energy & encouragement during my runs alone.
– Cortisone shots do help a bit. My foot didn’t feel nearly as bad as it had the week before. Thanks, Dr. Sledge.
– Two things purchased the day before really helped me –
Generation UCAN powder
(Not very tasty but literally felt a huge burst of energy & felt really good all the way to mile 8)
Powerstep Metatarsal Pads
(For my foot situation – wore this in my left shoe to take some of the pressure off my inflamed metatarsals)
I’m proud of myself and my running girls. Couldn’t have done it without them! (Despite the fact that we argue during the race over whether the Journey song playing is actually “Don’t Stop Believing” or whether or not I am or am not or they are or are not speeding up on our pace.) I love ’em!
I think I’ve decided to keep running. A half-marathon is as far as I want to go though. I’m totally OK with that distance.
I still have quite a bit of work to do to get my foot where it needs to be before another half, which I want to do in February. Hoping and praying that the whole situation with my metatarsals get solved.
Congratulations! I admire anyone who can run because I'd rather give up a pinky toe than run. At all. Ever. I don't like feeling like I am dying.
You should be very proud of yourself! Way to go!
Congrats! So proud of you!