First Things First - A (Long) Blog and a Half-Marathon

It seems like everyone is starting their own personal diary blog.  Of course, I already started a blog on my family genealogy.  But there's something to be said about writing about your daily personal life.  I love reading old diaries and letters of my ancestors (and even of other people throughout history).  A spotlight shines on one's personality and soul when in the form of a diary.  So I aim now to do the same, albeit publicly!

The inspiration for this blog came from my recent participation in my first half marathon.  I wanted to write about it, but it didn't fit in my genealogy blog.  Sharing my thoughts on Facebook is limited only to those who use it and know me, so I decided I'd start a personal blog for all to see.  So without further delay, my first topic!

The 13.1 Boston Half Marathon (Benefiting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation)

Over the last year and a half, I've been gradually developing a healthier lifestyle.  Eating better and going to the gym were my main paths on that journey.  Then around April 2010, three of my co-worker friends, Erin, Amanda, and Courtney, chose to participate in a local half marathon (just 30 minutes north of where I live in Bridgewater).  The inaugural 13.1 Boston Marathon was to take place in Milton/Canton, Mass. in the Blue Hills Reservation on Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Its charity was to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.  The charity sparked my attention because I was born with a congenital intestinal defect that required multiple surgeries as a baby (and still affects me physically and at times emotionally to this day).  I feel a certain kinship to those with Crohn's disease and colitis, as many of the troubling symptoms are similar to my own.  I initially debated on simply financially supporting the charity and cheering on my co-workers.  I thought, "No way could I participate in a half marathon, especially with only about nine weeks notice."  After all, the furthest I had ever walked was about 3 miles.  I had never participated in any race before (not even a 5k!).  However, the more I considered the idea, the more it grew on me.  I also had this misconception that you have to run in a half marathon.  You DON'T!  You can walk it, albeit briskly.  So I decided to take on the physically and spiritually rewarding challenge: train to walk 13.1 miles in a half marathon benefiting those with similar issues as myself.

So on May 6, 2010, I put forward the $55 for the registration fee.  That was Step One.  Committing myself to the half marathon was the best way to earnestly start training.  I had about eight weeks to prepare, which was less than what most training programs recommended, but being a young 30 years of age and relatively fit, I knew I could do this.

Pre-training, I tended to walk a 16 minute mile (coincidentally also the minimum time necessary for the half marathon), but my goal was to average a 14 minute mile, mainly to give me some cushion time for any rest/restroom breaks I might need during the race.  The plan, over the eight weeks, was to walk between two to four miles three days a week.  Additionally, one day a week was dedicated as a "long distance" day, where I would gradually work my way up from four miles to a distance closer to the half marathon.

I invested in some good sneakers, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 (here's a review).  I purchased three pairs of Feetures socks which are really supportive, contour the feet, and prevent blisters.  I also bought myself a couple polyester shirts and shorts (Reebok Playdry), and a nice visor hat for protection from the sun.  A Nathan Quickdraw Plus water bottle also was on the purchase list. Yes, I spent just over $200 on all of this, but the long-term investment is worth it, I think!

I also found a great web site called MapMyFitness that helps you map out walking/running routes.  It gives you the total distance and an elevation chart for your route.  This was immensely helpful in preparing for the half marathon, which is extremely hilly (more on that later).

So how did my training go?  For the most part, it went pretty well.  I did experience quite a few issues with shin splints, muscle cramps, and knee pain.  When I look back on this, I think it was a natural part of my walking progression.  However, the knee pain did sideline me from training around week six.  That was unfortunate, since that was when I was supposed to hit my maximum ten miles distance day.  Ultimately, eight miles was my longest distance day.  The week before the half marathon, I practiced six miles on the steepest section of the marathon course, just to familiarize myself with the course (this proved helpful in terms of training but also just relieving some of my anxiety and nervousness).  Then I walked a couple days that week - short and slower 2 mile stints.  I relaxed the two days before the half marathon.

On the day before the race, I picked up my race packet which included an official commemorative shirt, race bib with my first name and number (#1549!), gear check tag which I ended up not needing, and a chip tag (the electronic chip inside was "sensed" at the start and finish line of the course to measure my time).

The night before the race, I didn't do the typical carb-loading dinner, though I did have a big bowl of oatmeal!  I set up everything that night so it would be ready in the morning (pinned the race bib onto one of my Reebok shirts and strapped the chip to my sneakers).  I had a lot of trouble sleeping that night due to my excitement and anxiety.  Thank goodness I slept ten hours the night prior.  I woke up at 3:15am (the race was at 6:13am) and had a small bowl of oatmeal - I was feeling nauseous from my nerves so I kept it small for breakfast.  From there I picked up two of my co-workers Amanda and Erin, and we drove to the site of the half marathon!

Aside from the humidity, the weather couldn't have been better.  Upper 60's, partly cloudy, and no rain!  We got there at 5:30am.  Restroom break in the porta potty.  Met up with some different folks that my co-workers knew.  Before I knew it, it was 6:13am!  I took my place toward the back of the pack since I was walking.  Over 4100 people were registered (over 2600 finished).  A woman beautifully sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," which nearly brought tears to my eyes as it was an emotional and intense moment of anticipation before the race.  And woah, the race began!  Four minutes later, I crossed the starting line.  I set my stopwatch at that point so I'd know how I was doing throughout the race since I was delayed compared to the official clock time.

I walked at a slow 16 minute pace for the first mile and a half to warm up.  Just took in the wonderful feeling of the moment.  I couldn't believe I was finally doing this!  At mile 3.5 and again at mile 5.5, I saw Amanda (she's a fast runner) coming the opposite direction (it was out and back on that section) who cheered me on.  Gave her a high-five the second time around.  The course was beautiful - mostly wooded and in the shade.  Around mile 7.5, I started to feel my energy dipping a bit (after all, eight miles was my longest distance during my training) but I still felt strong.  A few minutes before mile 9.5 when the long 2 mile steep hill began, I consumed a GU gel to provide some needed carbs/energy in preparation for the final haul.  While the steep climb was exhausting, I actually walked my best pace there (about 14 min/mi).  It was a great feeling briskly walking past other walkers who were slowing down at that point.  When I reached the summit of that hill, the worst was over.  I was almost there to the finish line!  At mile 12, I called Amanda and Erin to let them know I was nearly there (they were done way before me since they were both running).  About 100 feet before the finish, I stepped on the gas and sprinted the rest of the way for the sake of pure dramatic imagery.

My official time: 3 hrs 15 mins 7 secs!  I was happy - thrilled that I finished it!  I saw my co-workers and their friends after the race, and I got my medal.  During my drive home, I began to feel the pains from the race.  Ultimately, I had two black toenails, a blister under my right foot, and pains in my calves and knees.  But I consider these ritual marks of battle!  No pain, no gain.

Nearly 36 hours after the half marathon, I'm still in awe over what I accomplished.  I plan on walking a half marathon again - perhaps jogging some of it next time and beating the 3 hour mark.  I've definitely started a new healthy habit: daily walking.  I plan on walking 3-4 miles every other day for as long as I physically can in my life (that hopefully should be another 40 years or so).

And so... that marks the end of my first half marathon - and my first personal blog entry (kind of a novel, huh?).  If you read all of this post, you deserve an award!

Tomorrow... I'll post my iPod playlist from the half marathon!