half marathon: complete!

I have been training for the Rock 'n Roll USA race for the past 16 weeks. The last four or so  have been half-ass due to being injured with joint inflammation in my toe and then about two weeks ago, major pain in my right knee after one of my long distance runs. I wouldn’t let it stop me, still running as much as I could, resting when possible, cross-training and NOT wearing my infamous 5 inch heels (except on a few occasions!).

Flashback to why I wanted to do this. Ever since I volunteered at the Detroit Free Press Marathon in Detroit, call it over 10 years ago, I have always wanted to run a marathon. The inspiration, the vibe, the energy…just overwhelmed me with feelings of joy and touched my heart.  Watching the wheelers start before the runners always brought tears to my eyes. Standing at the finish line watching runners who just completed 26.2 miles is something that I cannot put into words. It’s an accomplishment that I wanted to feel. I volunteered for a few years and experienced the same feeling every time.  

While I am not a natural runner by any means, the circumstances of 2011 have made me a stronger and more capable person which enabled me to become a runner. I will never “want” or “wish” to do anything again because I will DO IT. That’s the difference in me today. Nothing will ever hold me back from accomplishing my desires. An invaluable lesson.

Back to Saturday, March 17^th at 8:34am, the Rock ‘N Roll USA. I elected to do the half marathon for my first big race. I’ve done many 5K’s and while those are usually annoying due to over-crowding and never getting into your true stride, this was truly my first REAL race. With both of my parents running since I was very young, it’s funny to think that now I’m a runner. I always thought they were a bit crazy cause it sure as hell didn’t look fun. Especially when my dad would come home with bloody nipples from chaffing and there was always some sort of stomach cramping and pain. But what I learned on Saturday is, I don’t’ run because  I’m amazing at it, or I love it. I run because I want to get better at it. I run because it’s mine. I run because I can do it however I want to do it. No one will tell me otherwise. It’s freedom. It’s a moment when I’m my biggest cheerleader.

There were times on Saturday where I honestly thought I wanted to quit. I didn’t think I could make it to the finish line. This was seriously before mile 6. My run was off. I was tense. My legs felt extremely fatigued and there were moments when I would squeeze my hands and they felt like I could barely move them. It scared me. I would stop and stretch. Try to get the feeling back in my hands and then carry on. Almost in tears in a few times because I knew I had a long road ahead of me. A long road that I worked so hard to achieve. I would pep myself up by saying “Grayson, you’re running a half marathon!!!, You’re doing it!!” It would work for a bit, then I would get in my head again with negativity. It’s amazing how much of running is mental versus physical.  I ran for myself. I cried when I crossed the finish line cause I knew with all my heart how proud I was of myself. While I was a little upset with my time (2:52), what I learned during this race is priceless.

I am capable of anything, regardless of how hard it is. I didn’t quit. I finished.

Next race prep

• Figure out what energy I can stomach during the race (I was nauseated the entire race and couldn’t get down much calories thru gels or beans)
• Wear a water belt (with energy tablets in the water so I can drink my energy)
•  Cross-training (weightlifting, spinning, pilates)—my body could be stronger, however my cardio/breathing was on-point (woohoo!)
• Get a massage pre-race to relax
•  Get out of my head and have fun
• Skip the Imodium I took that morning (yes, my nerves were THAT bad)
• Talk to people along the course
• Determine balance of when to use music and when to enjoy the sites
•  Let go of fears of not finishing; I KNOW I will finish

I run best when I’m comfortable and am not thinking about when I need to take an energy shot or sip water. As I train for my next race, I am going to listen to my body for the ultimate guide to success. Look good, feel good, run good (a motto brought on by my dear friends who ran the Chicago Marathon last year).

I’m excited. I’m already thinking about my next race which could be on June 24^th (Chicago’s First Women’s Only Half Marathon). My first half marathon didn’t scare me away, it’s encouraged me to accomplish more. It’s a feeling I want to feel time and time again.

First up, a trip to a sports medicine doctor to ensure I’m not doing any permanent damage to my knee and toe.

Happy Running!