So, my last blog which was in the beginning of April, basically was a rundown of all that has happened and what was about to happen. April 10th was the BIG DAY. My first ever Half Marathon!!! Wake up was super early and that is NEVER a fun thing for me, ha! However, I think with all the nervous excitement that I had going on and all the adrenaline that I was also pumped with, waking up at 0400 was no biggie. We set the coffee pot the night before, because coffee is a MUST for anything. Had Tim and my race outfits prepped and ready to go. Made sure the bibs were in the car, headphones, phones, gels, water, sweat rags, etc was ready. It was go time! Once getting to the race, parking was NUTS. No wonder why they tell you to arrive about 45 min prior to the start just to look and find parking. Finding a spot wasn't too bad, (as long as we didn't get towed) and we then proceeded to the restrooms before the starting line. OMG, the bathroom lines are ridiculous before a race. I really never seen them bad before any of the 5 or 10k's I normally did. So I guess I wasn't thinking they were going to be the way they were.... Needless to say, I had to pull a camping squat and pee between some trees before the start. I'm not proud but I am also not patient!
And here we were. In this massive crowd that not only made me nervous to be mixed in with, but also amazed at some of the runners that were there. It was surreal and I just was so excited to begin. There were so many people from all over, not just here in Hawaii. There were runners of all sorts. One's that take running way too seriously (doing some crazy warming up and running miles BEFORE the half even started..), and then there were the walkers, strollers, and just people who were there to be a part of it and say they did it (like me). It was awesome. And while I hadn't run such a long distance since being in Basic Training, I am surprised at my endurance and drive to complete it. Tim and I hung in and only walked uphill at the 10-11 mile marker, and that was it. We finished with times of around 2:20. For a first timer, that ROCKS!
Rocks so much that when we came home, I signed us up for a few more races. The Metric Century Bike Ride, which took place on North Shore Oahu. Then the Pineapple 10K, which when you finished this race, you were not only given a tee shirt and a medal, but a YUMMY Hawaiian pineapple. And yes, while most people would rather get a pineapple at the store, this one was well worth the 6.2 mile run. Then the best of all, I signed us up for ANOTHER half marathon. Can I just say how much I love running? Here are some pics from the ride we completed that was a first for both Tim and I. Our bike rides have consisted of fun sightseeing rides, or maybe at the most--30 miles while we lived in Oklahoma. This one was a doozy but what a beautiful experience. It would have been a lot better if it was sunny that day and not windy but hey! We did it!
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| And we were only gonna do the 50.... Ha, we did the full! |
Then the Pineapple 10K. This one took place around some of the pineapple fields. It wasn't very pleasant out at all. Very humid and gross. I was happy to get this one over with. You would think after doing a half, that 6 miles would be cake. Nope. Just wasn't feeling this one at all. Plus, it really wasn't in a beautiful area. Maybe if it was along the beach or something?
And FINALLY, half marathon number 2 in the books!!! This one I already knew what to expect with 13.1 miles, however, it was still awesome. We got their good time, waiting forever in line for a port-potty... And then got right to the start and began. I think the euphoria of the first one I did wore off by now, and I wasn't as thrilled as last time, but we still completed it. I must've had so much adrenaline going that I didn't realize the injury in my foot that I am now currently nursing with sadness. I hope this heals fast so I can get back out there and run. I tend to get very cranky when I don't run... (Sorry in advance) Here are the pics from Half #2
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| porta-potty line :[ |
