Running the Distance

It all started while drinking a glass of wine with a couple of  friends on my birthday (the end of December). I just finished telling her I ran an entire 5K without walking on Thanksgiving after not having run for almost two years.

“You should do the Shamrock Half Marathon with us! It isn’t until March. That gives you plenty of time!”

I went home a bit heady from an evening of camaraderie and a good time. Before I knew it, I paid my $100 and was registered for the race. I downloaded Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Training for a Novice to my phone and I was ready to go. My first run was a piece of cake – only two miles. (The reality of 13.1 miles had yet to hit.)

Signing up for the race put me in the next level of runners. Once I was became a serious runner, I knew I needed a new pair of shoes. Little did I know the marathon I would go through finding the right shoes. The first store I went to sold me a nice pair…albeit too small. Soon the toe pain started. I ran through it. Three weeks later, I returned them. They didn’t have a bigger size. They gave me a new pair….albeit with too high of an arch. Add knee and groin muscle pain to the run. Four weeks into my training, my running style resembled that of a wounded animal. Sheer determination and the fact that I paid $100 for the race, kept me running until payday and a trip to a different running store. Ten pairs of shoes and test runs around the store later, I had the perfect pair of sneakers. Within a week, I was running pain free once more.

My outfit is ready!
(I don't remember the last time I got my clothes ready the night before.)

Even throughout the shoe adventures, I worked up my mileage. Once I hit five miles, every time I added another mile was a cause for celebration. My first six mile run was in pouring rain in the wee hours of the morning so I could drive two hours to make it to a coaching clinic on time. Seven miles was my first time running on the Nuese Greenway. Eight miles in Elizabeth City brought a sense of accomplishment and exhaustion like no other. When I finished that run, I knew I could do this! Nine miles it was just me and the wind debris running along the river. A week before the big day, Team Victor ran together for the first time as I hit my next mile marker – ten.

Why the nerves hit on Thursday night is a complete mystery to me. The two miles I ran that night did nothing to settle my nerves the way Hal told me they would. I went to bed so excited I couldn’t sleep. I pictured myself in a place I had never been, running miles I had never run. The reality of me, a 48-year-old overweight woman, running a half-marathon, 13.1 MILES hit me square in the gut.

I went to school on Friday, the day before school vacation, on three hours of sleep. I was a bit obnoxious as I told each one of my classes what I would be doing on Sunday. Some looked at me like I was crazy. (I am pretty sure people think of me in that regard on a regular basis.) I have never been an athlete, nor have students (or anybody else for that matter) seen me in that way. Actor, yes. Runner, no.

Finally it was time for Team Victor to hit the road. This was my first time going to Virginia Beach. The trip took three hours or so. Who knows? I was so hyped up, I really have no idea how long I was in the car. The first place we went was to the Expo. Crack for runners. Now that I am a serious runner, I had to get my fix. I bought myself my first official running shirt. (I am not quite ready to wear the all-in-one shirt without another one over the top. That will come after my next race when I leave a few extra pounds on the side of the road.) My favorite purchase of the day was a shirt made out of bamboo stating me as a half marathon rock star. I was ready for when that day came!

A quick breakfast

The evening was spent dining with amazing friends, laughing, and in a surreal state that I was actually doing this! Amazingly enough, I did sleep that night; although, 6:00am came way too early. Team Victor put on our uniforms and we were out the door to the sound of the National Anthem. The adrenaline began flowing. In less than 10 minutes I would be running! We pressed our way through throngs of people to get to our starting position in corral 3. (According to my bib, I was supposed to be in corral 7. Silly me. I thought I would be running with the sloths.)

Ready for the race!

At the starting gate

Finally, the air horn sounded. Our walk up to the starting line began to the music of U2, Beautiful Day. In that instant, I thought about the U2 concert Jamie and I planned on going to. Even though, it didn’t work out. I thought all the experiences I have had since leaving Colorado. The half marathon I was about to run was something I never thought possible. I began my first half marathon with a silly grin on my face.

Mile one, I think

I ran with Rebecca, Aaron, and Serine at my side. I won’t bore you with all the details. The high of running through the starting gate didn’t last long. At about mile 1.5, I was missing my music. I thought for sure we had run at least 5 miles by then. The monotony of the running gave me time to look around at my fellow runners…some stripping off clothes throwing them to the side of the road knowing they would never see them again; Dad’s Pace Team dressed in fluorescent orange and celebrating 60 together; and many other interesting outfits consisting of tutu’s, funky socks, and green. Lots of green. A sprinkling of spectators along the path sporadically cheered us on.

Just about time for a dance break!

And then the sound of music up ahead. Dance-running is a strange phenomenon that not many people can carry off. I am happy to say the ladies of Team Victor had no problem showing our moves at each music station we ran by. The only song I remember playing was Sexy and I Know It. (In that instant Sana and Patti joined me on my run as memories of dancing together at LMFAOs concert came to mind.) Each beat of the music pumped me up!

Not as much fun, but an attention-grabber none-the-less, were the riddles on the side of the road as we ran through about five miles of trees. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to read them if I tried. Thank goodness for Team Victor! Rebecca ran from side to side to read them nice and loud for all of us. I don’t think everyone was having as much fun as we were.

We did lose one of Team Victor for awhile when a random runner told Serine she had beautiful eyes – in Norwegian! She was so excited to have the opportunity to speak her mother tongue again, she ran off with him. (She waited for us later down the road.) 

We ran through the town, woods, and an old military base. We passed mile marker after mile marker and stopped for each water station. Glimpses of the ocean and a couple of lighthouses gave an opportunity for sightseeing on the run. Soon mile ten was in sight.While training for the race, I never ran more than ten miles. The last three miles of this race would be new territory for me. As I ran past that mile marker, the emotions came to the surface. I had a 5K to go. I felt good. I think I smiled the last three miles thinking of what I was about to accomplish. Rounding the corner to head to the boardwalk, my smile got bigger and I began to run faster. King Neptune was in sight!! I was going to sprint it all the way in. Or so I thought. I didn’t quite have the legs to make that happen, but I never stopped. I heard my name announced right before running through the finish line proud of what I just accomplished.

I had two goals when I signed up. One was to run the entire race with the exception of water stops. I met my goal. The other goal was to run a pace of 10-minute miles. I also met that goal and actually exceeded it a little bit. I finished the race in 2:09:21. That is two hours, nine minutes, and 21 seconds for a pace of 9 minute 52 seconds per mile.

I trained my body to be able to run the distance; however, Team Victor was there to support me all the way. I couldn’t have done it without them.

TEAM VICTOR

Serine – It was a pure joy to run with one of the Spice Girls. Her smiles and energy were contagious.

Rebecca – She always believed in me even when I doubted myself. Along the entire course, her smiles, laughter, dancing and uplifting spirit made it feel as if I were flying.

Aaron – He ran at my side the entire race quietly supporting me. I still feel his hug at the finish line with his whisper of, “I’m so proud of you.”

Serine, Aaron, Rebecca, Me

Tony, Sana, Patti – While they didn’t run the race with me, they supported me from the time the crazy idea hatched in my head. The welcome I received when I got home was priceless!

Tony, Sana, Patti

Sean – He ran with me when he was home on leave when I first started this adventure. His encouraging words got in my head and stayed with me on many of my runs.

My family – Parents, brother, sister, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins…My father finished four months of radiation the day before I ran my race. Our bodies both training for different things. Both reaching the ultimate goal. My mother running with my in spirit. I know someday she will run her own race.

My friends, students, and random strangers – Always supporting and encouraging me. Believing in me when I didn’t always believe in myself through a like, comment, text or some other way to show support. To list everyone isn't possible. A special thank you to my running gurus, Shawna and Peter, for all their guidance. 

The spoils of the race.
(Check out the bling!)

I have been told I am an inspiration for others. I am not so sure about that. All I did was make a decision without thinking it through. However, I was a 48-year old, overweight, out-of-shape woman and I did it! If I can do it, anybody can! My next race is in a month. Be watching for updates on the Tar Heel Ten-Miler adventure.