I am so excited that I've registered to walk the UnitedHealthcare Half Marathon in Newport, Rhode Island at 8am on Sunday, October 17, 2010. I officially began my training on July 21. This time, I'm able to adhere to the recommended time frame of training (I've read that 12-16 weeks is standard) over the course of 13 weeks. It's essentially 3 miles twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays, cross-training twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, and a gradually increasing long-distance walk once a week on Sundays. Tuesdays and Saturdays are my rest days. In a couple weeks, the bi-weekly 3 miles will increase to 4 miles.
Today I was only two seconds shy of breaking my pace record of 13 minutes 39 seconds per mile - SO close! Thus far, I'm happy to say I've had no pain anywhere in my body - unlike for the last half marathon when sore knees and shin splints were very common during my training. I've done the necessary stretching before and after every walk, and I've chosen not to jog this time around - at least for now. So these could all be contributing factors to my pain-free training. From my last half marathon, the blister I got on the bottom of my foot finally healed after three weeks. Actually, it's technically still there and occasionally gets a little irritated, but it's generally good. My two black toenails are still quite black, and I expect I will lose both nails eventually - perhaps in another month or so.
I think the biggest challenge for my training will be the fact that with my job we'll be in the middle of Resident Assistant staff training mid-to-late August and then we're opening the residence halls in late August/early September (hard to believe we're one month away exactly from the day that our halls open to first-year students). It's going to be a very busy schedule with long days, and there may be some mornings or late evenings where I won't want to walk. But I will walk! It's a good feeling to walk on a regular basis, and I've found my energy level is usually higher on those days that I walk (long-distance walk days the exception; I'm exhausted those days, and that's legitimately going to be a bit of a concern).
A little more about the half marathon: The UnitedHealthcare Half Marathon is actually part of the Amica Marathon - same day and location. The marathon was ranked as the 4th best marathon in the country last year. The half marathon route is almost entirely along the water, which is AWESOME. :) Though somewhat hilly, it's nowhere near as steep as my last half marathon in the Blue Hills Reservation. Plus, Newport is just a beautiful area. So I'm pumped.
P.S. - I've lost 10 pounds since early May. That's a good thing. Now I'd like for my body to stop losing the weight and stay steady. A semi-sincere apology to those who are upset that I have this dilemma.
I'll keep you updated on all the training. :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Adventures in New York
It's HOT in New York City in July!
I just got back from a fun-packed 4-day vacation in NYC and Long Island with my mom, and it was such a blast! This was my second visit ever to the Big Apple (the first time was for just a day and a half in 2002), and this time I drove. Driving in New York City is an adventure in itself - though I stayed close to the Queens area where the hotel was located, as well as Long Island, so traffic wasn't too scary. My mom flew up into LaGuardia from Virginia to meet me. She's been there two or three times before with some of her girlfriends. Here's a day-by-day review with photos for what my mom and I did!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
1:00pm: Headed out on the road in my trusty '98 Nissan Altima. Traffic was surprisingly light with one exception around New Haven, Connecticut. I made it to the Pan American Hotel in Queens, New York around 5:45pm. I found out about the Pan Am Hotel after Googling NYC hotels. It's an inexpensive place to stay that has the all the basic amenities - nothing fancy - but exactly what you need. All I really wanted was air conditioning, a clean room, and free parking. It was just $105 a night. And only 4 blocks away from a subway station that had a direct line to Manhattan (a bit long 35-minute train trek, however).
6:45pm: Took the subway to Times Square and saw American Idiot on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. It features all Green Day songs and was co-written by the band's singer Billie Joe Armstrong. 90 minutes in length and no intermission. A musical not for the faint-hearted! The storyline centered around three main characters who experience serious hardships in their lives: unintended pregnancy where the boyfriend initially ditches the girl; getting injured in the war in Iraq; and becoming an heroin addict. Oh and there was a simulated sex scene... that was, um, almost too realistic. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed the show in its entirety. I took a few photos of Times Square, too! I love the Toys R Us store there. Despicable Me was plastered over the entrance, and I really want to see that movie soon!
9:30am: My mom arrived at the hotel! We hadn't made plans for the day time so after glancing through some web sites, we decided on Greenwich Village, since neither of us had done that before and it was sort of off the beaten path. It's kind of a posh neighborhood with lots of shopping. We walked along Bleecker Street for a couple hours. We ate at a little Italian restaurant called Risotteria. Their menu was big on gluten free products. In fact, most of the restaurants in Greenwich Village seemed to be very conscientious of people with celiac disease, which I thought was pretty cool. Here are some shots from our little venture there.
4:15pm: The highlight of the trip! We drove out to Westhampton Beach on Long Island. They say it takes anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours to drive into Long Island from NYC depending on the time of day. Glad I planned on a long drive, because it took nearly 3 hours to drive about 70 miles. I never knew the Hamptons was rural country land! Westhampton Beach was BEAUTIFUL and had such a nice cool breeze and breath of fresh air. We went there to see Diane Birch at the Westhampton Performing Arts Center (a very small venue seating about 425 people). Ms. Birch is quite possibly my favorite singer-songwriter for the past year. I adore her and her music! If you haven't heard her music, check out her web site! I'd describe her style as being similar to Carole King. The stars were absolutely shining on me that evening, because I asked at the box office if they had any closer seats. The response: "Let's see... um, wow, yes, there are two front row seats!" JACKPOT!!! Seats A1 and A3. Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN for that concert. Check out the photos from where we sat, along with a fantastic shot of me and Ms. Birch, and the front entrance of the performing arts center. Also, we ate at a fantastic Asian cuisine restaurant with outstanding sushi!
3:00pm: We got a late start this day because a lingering sinus infection I had decided to strike back that morning. After a nap, I felt better though. We made a spontaneous trip to 5th Avenue for some shopping. I decided I wanted to splurge on a very fashionable and expensive summer cap. This seems to be one of my new vices - hat collecting. JJ Hat Center had an expansive collection of hats to try on. Such a blast... Later, we ate at a little restaurant called Cafe Park. Good turkey burgers there, I gotta say...
7:45pm: Top of the Rock! If you want to see a view of the city from high above the skyscrapers, do the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza where NBC Studios is. The lines are shorter than at the Empire State Building, and this place is hipper, anyway. Plus the views of the cityscape are so much better when the Empire State Building is in it! Also, at the observation deck, there's a crazy psychedelic room with these glowing multi-colored lights that react to people's movement. I probably took way too many photographs there.
8:15am: Every NYC trip must include a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Honestly, I enjoy Ellis Island so much more because of my passion for genealogy and family history. America's immigration history is captured so well there. At Battery Park (where you board the ferries), you'll find a beautiful statue that was once in one of the World Trade Center towers during their collapse. The statue, although damaged, was one of the few surviving remnants of that tragedy on September 11, 2001. A flame burns in front of the statue round-the-clock as a memorial to that day.
I just got back from a fun-packed 4-day vacation in NYC and Long Island with my mom, and it was such a blast! This was my second visit ever to the Big Apple (the first time was for just a day and a half in 2002), and this time I drove. Driving in New York City is an adventure in itself - though I stayed close to the Queens area where the hotel was located, as well as Long Island, so traffic wasn't too scary. My mom flew up into LaGuardia from Virginia to meet me. She's been there two or three times before with some of her girlfriends. Here's a day-by-day review with photos for what my mom and I did!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
1:00pm: Headed out on the road in my trusty '98 Nissan Altima. Traffic was surprisingly light with one exception around New Haven, Connecticut. I made it to the Pan American Hotel in Queens, New York around 5:45pm. I found out about the Pan Am Hotel after Googling NYC hotels. It's an inexpensive place to stay that has the all the basic amenities - nothing fancy - but exactly what you need. All I really wanted was air conditioning, a clean room, and free parking. It was just $105 a night. And only 4 blocks away from a subway station that had a direct line to Manhattan (a bit long 35-minute train trek, however).
Your Traditional View of Times Square.
Despicable Me at Toys R Us!
A Trippy Long-Exposure Shot of Times Square.
Friday, July 16, 2010
9:30am: My mom arrived at the hotel! We hadn't made plans for the day time so after glancing through some web sites, we decided on Greenwich Village, since neither of us had done that before and it was sort of off the beaten path. It's kind of a posh neighborhood with lots of shopping. We walked along Bleecker Street for a couple hours. We ate at a little Italian restaurant called Risotteria. Their menu was big on gluten free products. In fact, most of the restaurants in Greenwich Village seemed to be very conscientious of people with celiac disease, which I thought was pretty cool. Here are some shots from our little venture there.
Our Lady of Pompeii Church.
I had never seen a model display with a teddy bear's head before!
A Gorgeous Little Residential Block in Greenwich Village.
Ever see an ice cream truck that sells Coach bags? (Actually, it did sell ice cream, but I was confused at first!)
4:15pm: The highlight of the trip! We drove out to Westhampton Beach on Long Island. They say it takes anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours to drive into Long Island from NYC depending on the time of day. Glad I planned on a long drive, because it took nearly 3 hours to drive about 70 miles. I never knew the Hamptons was rural country land! Westhampton Beach was BEAUTIFUL and had such a nice cool breeze and breath of fresh air. We went there to see Diane Birch at the Westhampton Performing Arts Center (a very small venue seating about 425 people). Ms. Birch is quite possibly my favorite singer-songwriter for the past year. I adore her and her music! If you haven't heard her music, check out her web site! I'd describe her style as being similar to Carole King. The stars were absolutely shining on me that evening, because I asked at the box office if they had any closer seats. The response: "Let's see... um, wow, yes, there are two front row seats!" JACKPOT!!! Seats A1 and A3. Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN for that concert. Check out the photos from where we sat, along with a fantastic shot of me and Ms. Birch, and the front entrance of the performing arts center. Also, we ate at a fantastic Asian cuisine restaurant with outstanding sushi!
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center: Diane Birch!
We could not have been any closer to the stage!
My heart's fluttering a bit here. That sounds so stalker-ish. I promise that is not my M.O.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
3:00pm: We got a late start this day because a lingering sinus infection I had decided to strike back that morning. After a nap, I felt better though. We made a spontaneous trip to 5th Avenue for some shopping. I decided I wanted to splurge on a very fashionable and expensive summer cap. This seems to be one of my new vices - hat collecting. JJ Hat Center had an expansive collection of hats to try on. Such a blast... Later, we ate at a little restaurant called Cafe Park. Good turkey burgers there, I gotta say...
7:45pm: Top of the Rock! If you want to see a view of the city from high above the skyscrapers, do the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza where NBC Studios is. The lines are shorter than at the Empire State Building, and this place is hipper, anyway. Plus the views of the cityscape are so much better when the Empire State Building is in it! Also, at the observation deck, there's a crazy psychedelic room with these glowing multi-colored lights that react to people's movement. I probably took way too many photographs there. 
Psychedelic blue lights - that room was too cool.
New York City at Night from the Top of the Rock.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
8:15am: Every NYC trip must include a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Honestly, I enjoy Ellis Island so much more because of my passion for genealogy and family history. America's immigration history is captured so well there. At Battery Park (where you board the ferries), you'll find a beautiful statue that was once in one of the World Trade Center towers during their collapse. The statue, although damaged, was one of the few surviving remnants of that tragedy on September 11, 2001. A flame burns in front of the statue round-the-clock as a memorial to that day.
Entrance of Ellis Island.
Lost luggage at Ellis Island. At least two of my ancestors departed from the port of Bremen, Germany.
The Main Hall of Ellis Island. Millions of immigrants passed through this hall.
World Trade Center Statue, now in Battery Park.
3:30pm: Sadly, we had to leave... I expected to be home in 4 hours. That turned into 5.5 hours due to heavy NYC traffic. But I really loved this trip... it was so bitter-sweet to come back home.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
When's the Next Race?
How is it that I have already become a distance walking addict?
Here I am, two days after a fantastic half marathon. I'm anxious to get out and do that again! I'm actually pretty happy today with how I'm physically feeling. Already, my legs feel better and aren't giving me any grief. The only thing that's stopping me from doing a 3 mile walk is an unpleasant blister on my foot (eww). Guaranteed, when that's healed, I'll be out there once more!
I have to remind myself that it was the motivation and encouragement of my co-worker friends that greatly contributed to making that half marathon so enjoyable. As with anything, having a support system can go a long way. It was great to share and hear about the training updates and stories. And they did wonderfully themselves in the 13.1 race - I was very happy for them! And I admire anyone who can run an entire race. Me? I'm much more comfortable walking! But it's still an accomplishment. We're already talking about doing another half marathon and some smaller races, expanding the fun to others in our office. It makes me incredibly thankful. Shared experiences make life much more satisfying and energizing.
Although less critical to the training and the half marathon, music was also an important motivational piece. I decided against posting my playlist of 49 songs from start to finish. That's a lot to type, and some of the music was slower for the beginning of the half marathon, which pretty much was just ear candy for me!
Instead, here are my "Top Ten" songs on my playlist that put an extra spark to my steps!
10. Kelly Clarkson - "Walk Away"
9. Genesis - "Land of Confusion"
8. Coolio - "Sumpin New"
7. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
6. Moxy Fruvous - "Psycho Killer" (don't try to match the insane tempo at the end, though!)
5. Huey Lewis & The News - "Back in Time"
4. The Beatles - "Get Back"
3. Bush - "Machine Head"
2. The Wiseguys - "Start the Commotion"
1. Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" (LOVE this!!!)
Peace out for now!
Here I am, two days after a fantastic half marathon. I'm anxious to get out and do that again! I'm actually pretty happy today with how I'm physically feeling. Already, my legs feel better and aren't giving me any grief. The only thing that's stopping me from doing a 3 mile walk is an unpleasant blister on my foot (eww). Guaranteed, when that's healed, I'll be out there once more!
I have to remind myself that it was the motivation and encouragement of my co-worker friends that greatly contributed to making that half marathon so enjoyable. As with anything, having a support system can go a long way. It was great to share and hear about the training updates and stories. And they did wonderfully themselves in the 13.1 race - I was very happy for them! And I admire anyone who can run an entire race. Me? I'm much more comfortable walking! But it's still an accomplishment. We're already talking about doing another half marathon and some smaller races, expanding the fun to others in our office. It makes me incredibly thankful. Shared experiences make life much more satisfying and energizing.
Although less critical to the training and the half marathon, music was also an important motivational piece. I decided against posting my playlist of 49 songs from start to finish. That's a lot to type, and some of the music was slower for the beginning of the half marathon, which pretty much was just ear candy for me!
Instead, here are my "Top Ten" songs on my playlist that put an extra spark to my steps!
10. Kelly Clarkson - "Walk Away"
9. Genesis - "Land of Confusion"
8. Coolio - "Sumpin New"
7. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
6. Moxy Fruvous - "Psycho Killer" (don't try to match the insane tempo at the end, though!)
5. Huey Lewis & The News - "Back in Time"
4. The Beatles - "Get Back"
3. Bush - "Machine Head"
2. The Wiseguys - "Start the Commotion"
1. Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" (LOVE this!!!)
Peace out for now!
Monday, June 28, 2010
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.
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!
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