This is my first actual race and first recap so bear with my randomness!
I didn't get as much sleep the night before as I would have liked, only about 5 hours, but I was glad I could sleep at all! I got up at 4:30 am and ate a peanut butter sandwich and drank a bottle of water while waiting for #2 to come, tmi I know! But crap happens, haha! Runners understand!
I had laid my flat runner out the night before so I had everything ready to go. I got dressed and walked around the house some, praying and trying not to psych myself out. I left my house about 5:40 and headed to my mom's. My mom and sister got up early and drove me so they could cheer me on and I wouldn't have to worry about parking or gear check.
It all started in the great Ozark mountains in Branson, MO. We got there around 7 am and I found my cousin, Robyn, who was also running, and my mom and sister found a place by the starting line.
I was a bundle of nerves and the crowd and loud music had me on edge. Robyn was giving me a pep talk and her husband, my cousin Jake, was taking photos.
5 minutes until start time they started singing the national anthem. Before the end the sound system cut out and the crowd finished the anthem! It was amazing! I had tears before we even started running!
It's 7:30 am and go time! I crossed the starting line at 7:31:26! Feeling good and trying to find my pace. The first two miles took us around and through the Branson Landing and a park and back by the Landing, I reined it in as I was going faster than I wanted at the first. My left hip started hurting around mile 3, I eased up and kept mentally pushing myself. It was a lot of uphill from 2-4 miles. I was still on pace and running smart because my body felt like burning rubber, besides my hip.
I have trained hills all winter but I still wasn't mentally or physically prepared for the hills this course had. Plus it was super warm, 93ยบ, and I was staying safe.
Miles 5-6 had more hills, but the course map had said there was an incline til mile 6.7, so I wasn't surprised. I was ready for downhill though! The 6 mile mark I was still on pace for a 3:15 finish.
Then came mile 7 and the terrible aching pain in the balls of both feet. I was hurting and struggling and I came up on a lady named, Joann. She was a Godsend! Her shirt had Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." on the back! Every time I felt myself slipping I looked up and there she was. We got to talking and she has lost 96 lbs, too! Since April 2013! Her faith helped fuel me through til mile 10. ♥
At mile 10 I entered the unknown zone, my longest run was 10 miles. I was already sick of everyone saying "it's all down hill from here!" They lied! At mile 10.4 I hit the dreaded wall. It beat me down and tortured me mercilessly.
By mile 11 I had lost it and seen my 3:15 finish time was out of reach. My new goal was just to finish.
At mile 11.5 or so I met a hill that I feared was going to steal even that dream. I stopped, prayed and just kept saying "God help me, God help me." He did! I made it up it and got a resolve that I had came too far to give up now! I slowed down and watched my heart rate and kept going.
The last 2 miles took over 40 minutes, I lost my goal finish time and faith in myself. Then I seen Robyn. She had finished quite a while before and came back to find me! She ran along, pep-talked, carried my stuff and encouraged me to the finish line. I don't think I could have ran in without her help!
I got my tiara, boa, medal, bubbly (cider), water, rose and banana! I made my way out the finish corral and found Joann and her sister, Jan! I told them congrats and thanked her for her encouragement, took their picture and Jan took mine. I was so exhausted I didn't even think to get a picture with them and I regret that so!
I met my family and Robyn's family at the end! I couldn't believe they all waited til I was done! It was so amazing! My mother in law and kids came to see me finish but it was so hot! My nephew got sick and they were gone to the bathroom when I finished but there when I came out. I was just happy they came to support me.
I was disappointed in my time but not my effort, I did as much as I physically could. I finished and that is what I set out to do. Some weren't so lucky, being picked up in ambulances or taken on stetchers from the finish line. They've stayed in my thoughts and prayers.
The hills and the heat chewed up and spit out many. This probably wasn't the best course for my first half marathon. It kind of soured me on doing another. I told Robyn at the finish that I would rather have a baby! I heard a lot of people say the course was terrible.
I won't say I will never do another because I will go where the Lord leads me. It is in Him my hope and future lie. My main goal in life is to be a vessel and the clay for Him to mold me and make me into what I need to be to bring glory to Him.
Today I am a half-marathoner.
I accomplished what I never dreamed possible.
I finished.
3:30:49
Thank you all for your support and encouragement!
Love,
Amy ♥
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