Monday, May 14, 2012

Kirkland Half Marathon Race Recap

First things first:


:-)

I woke up yesterday, & did not feel very amazing. I was nervous, & super congested. I've had a cold for a couple of weeks, but told myself that I've been training for this day for months, & nothing was going to stop me.

I got up at 5:00, had my favorite long run breakfast of oatmeal with peanut butter & coffee. The Kirkland Half Marathon started at 7:30, but luckily, we only live a few miles away. So, Michael & the boys were able to drop me off at the start line around 6:45. I warmed up a bit, stretched, did the traditional porta potty visit, & soon enough, it was time to line up. I chose the slowest corral, but that ended up being a mistake. For the first mile, my pace was crazy slow because I couldn't get around people. Lesson learned that although I'm slow, I should be realistic about my pace & not freak out & move to the back.

The fun started in the first three miles, most of which were uphill. My lungs were not feeling good, & I was definitely coughing & wheezing. Had I been feeling this way the day before, I doubt I would have run. After mile three, things evened out a bit (the entire course is crazy hilly - I wish I knew how to upload my Garmin info?) & I got into a good rhythm. I also had foolishly taken a Dayquil in the morning, thinking that would help my congestion. It did help my congestion, but it made me crazy dehydrated. I was taking three waters at every stop, & still wishing I had my fuel belt. Once we hit the half way point, I knew I was going to finish, & I was getting pretty excited. At mile 8, we joined my normal long run route (the waterfront area in Kirkland) & I was feeling pretty great. Still a bit wheezy & congested, but nothing I couldn't handle.

I started tearing up around mile 11, as we did our last uphill & I knew I had enough juice to finish under 2:30. On a great day, I think I could have finished in 2:15, but I was so happy I was going to hit my second goal.

Meanwhile, at the finish line, Michael was trying to keep these cuties in check.

They kept asking why it was taking me so long. ;-)

At mile 12, you head into a park & can see the area where you'll be finishing. I was listening to my music & just enjoying myself. I rounded the corner, & I saw my boys waiting for me! They darted out of Michael's grip while he had the camera, & came onto the course. Luckily, the race was small & I was near the end, and people were cheering for us. It was an amazing, amazing experience.




ETA: Just got back from the doctor, & I have bronchitis. Guess that explains the wheezing. Sadly, no Portland R&R for me. :-(

22 comments:

  1. Awesome job!!! I loved that your boys finished with you. Bummer about missing out on Portland, but you need to take care of yourself.

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    1. The boys were hilarious & so excited to see me. They told everyone they could find yesterday "my mom ran a marathon." So cute. I wish it was a marathon!

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  2. YAY!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!

    i love love love that there's a pic of your boys running in with you, that is priceless. Congratulations mama, what an awesome Mother's Day!

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    1. It was such a great way to spend Mother's Day! I'm definitely signing up for next year. :-)

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  3. Wow, great job pushing yourself. Bummer about Portland:( Nice to know the Kirkland half is hilly. Now I know to avoid it:) Who am I kidding, all races around here are hilly. Wow, you must be pretty close to me, I live in Bothell:) I hope you feel better ASAP

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    1. I'm in Bellevue, so we're very close! We should run together some time. I'm slow, though. :-)

      Thanks - I took my first dose of antibiotics today, but I'll be taking it easy this week. I'm thinking of signing up for the Seattle R&R! :-)

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  4. Congrats! I can't believe you finished in that time with bronchitis too. How cool that you finished with your family - that's wonderful!

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    1. Thanks! My older son really wants to start running (he's six), so I need to find him a kids run to do. He's all leg, so I think he would enjoy it. :-)

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  5. Yay, that's really tough with the cold. So sorry that it's turned to bronchitis - just goes to prove what a tough cookie you are!!!
    Too bad about Portland R&R - but there's always more races!

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    1. The first thing I thought of when I realized that Portland was out? Maybe I can do the Seattle R&R! :-)

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  6. That last picture is priceless with the boys. Love it! Great job sticking it out through a tough race. Hope you feel better soon!

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    1. It was such an exciting day - having the boys join me at the finish was perfect!

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  7. HUGE CONGRATS on a tough race!!!

    And I hope your bronchitis clears up asap, that sounds horrible :(

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    1. Thank you!!! I feel like I've been getting worse, but I'm on antibiotics now, so hopefully I'll be running again in no time!

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  8. What a great race and I'm glad you made it through (with flying colors!). Sorry to hear about the bronchitis.

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  9. Bronchitis!? You crazy girl get better! You did awesome and i love that your boys finished with you!!

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  10. First off - CONGRATS!! Second - bronchitis is no fun - and I'm amazed you were able to race with it! I had it in March and the doc said no running at all. Hope you get some good antibiotics and feel better fast :)

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    1. Thank you! I feel tragic today (and yesterday) & am definitely not running these days. My lungs feel like they are going to explode!

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  11. I loved that your boys finished with you! Great job on the race!

    I told you not to start in the back :)

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  12. Congrats on the race! You rock! Go to garmin connect.com to see your elevation data. And sad for Portland RnR! Feel better soon!

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