Another one in the books folks! Yep, I completed my second half marathon on Saturday, and it was great!
Friday
We arrived in DC around 7:30 with just enough time to hit the expo. A friend had already picked up our bibs so we just walked around and bought a few things.
Katie and I
Katie and her husband, Matt
Once we got back to our hotel, I layed out my clothes and got into bed. Our room was awesome and had a kitchen and a little living area. Score!
The race shirt- I like it!
Saturday
The morning came so quickly and I knew it would! It was freezing when we woke up, but I was excited and ready to go.
Things were off to a good start until we went downstairs and the cab we ordered wasn’t there. Fortunately, another one came along and we got in.
The cab dropped us off on a street where a police car was blocking traffic. I didn’t see any other runners but I didn’t really think anything of it. When we got out, we asked the cops which way to the start line. Turns out that the cabbie dropped us off 3 miles away from the stadium….and we only had 20 minutes until the start of the race!!
PANIC.
Katie then jumped in the middle of the street and hailed down a tow truck that worked for the city (he was dropping off cones). Four of us piled in his two seater tow truck and he took us to the race. SUCCESS!
Anyhow…when the race actually started, I was feeling okay. I wasn’t too speedy, but I wanted to take it slow and just get warmed up. My goal was not to burn out, and to finish strong!
Mile 1-3 – No problem, moving along at a 9:30/10 min pace
Mile 4-5- Ok, I need to speed up
Mile 6- HUGE HILL, feet hurt, took my first walking break
Mile 7- Feeling sluggish, why can’t I get in a groove?
Mile 8- Woman hands me a water bottle on the sideline- LOVE HER! Took some Shot Blox and felt better
Mile 9- More hills, feeling like my PR is vanishing and I might as well just let it go and have fun!
Mile 10-11- Having a fun time, feeling a little pain but not going crazy. Taking little walking breaks as needed. Took a Gu.
Mile 12-13 – Feeling amazing! Picked up the pace and finished SUPER STRONG!
Final time: 2:14:28
I was soooooo happy when I was done, and I could care less about my time! I didn’t beat my 2:12:58 PR, but I finished really strong and felt amazing.
I wish I could say that I still felt that way….Realizing afterwards how close I was to beating my PR I know that I could have killed it if I just pushed through a little more and took shorter walking breaks. I wish I wasn’t upset about it, but I kinda am!! Oh well…there are more half marathons (and hopefully a full) in my future, and I know that I will kill that PR.
And Katie???? She blew away her goal of finishing in under 4:30. I was so proud of her!
Today I’m feeling really good- my body is a little tight, but I can tell I was properly trained and fueled because I’m really not in any pain.
Time to just rest up and get ready for another week ahead.
I want to thank you guys so much for your encouragement and support leading up to the race! Even though I haven’t been around much, I really appreciate you still coming by and commenting!
Congratulations, that is awesome!!! It looks like it was such a fun race!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you’ve had so much fun, Jamie!
That’s what races are all about! PRs are just a minor detail
I’m pretty sure you’ll beat your PR on your next half! DC Half showed you you DO have what it takes
Stop worrying and start celebrating, girl!
Great job!
True! The race was so fun, the PR was certainly an afterthought!
Awesome job! That is fabulous and hiliarous that you towed down a tow truck! No sense in making that a 16 miler hehe.
awesome job on your run!
yay jamie! sweet hotel room kitchen! i love when its a realll kitchen, not just a measly microwave! nicely done
congrats on the half you ROCK!!!! awesome time too! i think I wouldn’t care about my time either, just fininshing in itself is such an accomplishment!
xox
I know, I was soooo pumped about that kitchen!
that is so amazing!! congratulations!!!!! what an accomplishment; you should be bragging about it big time
LOL okay!
Yay! Congratulations on a race well-run! Considering everything else you have going on right now, I think you did phenomenal!
Thank you Sarah! It’s been a busy few months!
you did amazing!! i mean completing it in the first place is a huge accomplishment!.. ahahhaah the tow truck story is hilarious!
Thanks so much! The tow truck story was def memorable!
Oh My Goodness! You are a frikkin machine Jamie!!! I understand being a little bummed about coming close to your PR, but jeez woman! Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve done something so many people only aspire to do (me included!)!! You are amazing. Great job
xo
Mindy
Aww thanks Mindy- really means a lot hun!
Congratulations on a fabulous race Jamie!!
Seems like wishing you knew then what you know now is the theme of the weekend for my peeps. A friend had been sick for his birthday so he didn’t celebrate the day of but celebrated Saturday instead, turns out he felt a lot better yesterday. I joked with him that if he had known that on his birthday earlier this week he should have gone out and celebrated then instead of being sick all week.
You make me wanna get out and run girl, keep up the good work!
LOL- hey at least I’m not alone on this one. Hind sight is truly 20/20! You should get out there and run- it’s the best and you can do it!
Love reading all the recaps of this race. It was a popular one obviously. And you did GREAT!!!! I’m impressed!
Thank you Tina! It was a very popular race, a good one too!
Congrats on your 1/2! I can’t imagine what went through your minds when you learned you were three miles from the start line! I’m glad you were able to make it on time!
Thanks Kjirsten! I totally panicked, thank goodness for my friend Katie who was as cool as a cucumber!
Congrats Jamie! Glad you made it to the start! (Crazy!) I would have been freaking out! I know you’re bummed about your PR, but good job on finishing strong! Plus you got another shiny metal!
Awesome recap! No worries about the time, you can always shatter your PR at a future race
Exciting for your friend too!!!!
Congrats on the race!!!!
You haven’t been around in a while. Is everything ok?
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