I have no idea where the last week has gone. Last Monday night I left Nashville, landed in Denver, and life has been a blur since then. I’ve always thought I could adapt to travel better, like I could be one of those road warriors. Now? I just want a nap. Or ten.
I think it’s okay to blame it on the race still, right? I mean, I did 26 miles just a little over a week ago and yes, while they were very slow miles, they still nearly killed me. Or perhaps it was the fried okra and sweet tea I consumed by the ton the very next day.
I did my first run since Nashville today, and boy was that interesting. If I had to compare it to a portion of the marathon, though, I think it was somewhere in the miles of 15 – 18. My legs were tired, but not completely. I found some kind of rhythm, at least for a while. Which is about as good as can be expected, but not entirely encouraging seeing as I want to put another one on the books in a few weeks. Yeah, I know that sounds crazy. I know. Let’s move on. Pretend you didn’t just read that.
I’m not quite race report ready, though (read: I have not given myself time to complete it) so I have no choice but to share pictures for now.
I will say this, I went to Nashville for this race but I would stay there for the people. I had a great time and, once again, was amazed at how at home I felt around every corner. It wasn’t my first time visiting, and it won’t be my last.
Elite runs great races, and most people know that. I’d recommend this race and this course to anyone. It’s hilly and, good Lord, was it hot that day, but it was also beautiful.
Started the morning in line, of course:
Then it was time to get into the corrals:
This was the biggest race I’ve ever participated in. I was in corral 15, and I think there were 32 or 33 total. The sea of people surrounding me in the corral was something to watch.
Soon enough, though, the crowd would thin out. I have to say, I love half marathons, and there are probably (hopefully?) more of them in my future than marathons, but when the half and full split, I did feel a little more awesome being one of those going toward the full. Sure, that was only about mile 11-12 and I had SO many to go, but I don’t get many opportunities to feel bad ass in life, so I’ll take it.
(Note: This isn’t actually where the race split, it’s just a photo from somewhere else on the course, early on. And if you asked me right now if I remembered this place on the course, I would have no clue.)
The bands on the course were also great. As hard as it was to run in 86-degree (F) temperatures, I can imagine singing on a stage in that bright sun for hours was no picnic. Especially to an audience that is getting away from you as fast as possible.
Around mile 18, I slowed down quite a bit. I had planned to do intervals all along, so the walking was no surprise, but I was so impossibly hot that the walk time grew longer and longer. The running never stopped completely, and sometimes it even felt better to run than walk, but overall I was sapped. I had enough fuel, hydration, salt, everything, but it still slowed me down.
I’m the little blue spec in this photo:
Remarkably, though, I still had a great time— as in fun. It’s amazing the people you meet in that section of a race. There’s good humor back there, and I have to say a lot of that is what got me through. That and the kind Nashville residents spraying down runners with hoses dragged across their front yards. BLESS THEM.
Finally, I reached mile 26. I’ll talk more about this in a full report, but I was running with a guy named Jeremy and though we were talking, at mile 26 we stopped talking, looked at each other, sort of shrugged and ran in the last .2 like we were on fresh legs. It was great.
Like every other part of the course, the finish line was organized and really good. Or maybe it’s because a sponge soaked in ice water was handed to me and right there in that moment I couldn’t have been happier had it been a million dollars.
I felt spent, I looked absolutely scary, but it felt good to be a finisher:
Now who wants to see some pictures of fried okra?!
Or is that just me?
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
yay! you are smiling at the end, which is always a good sign!
Bring on the okra.
Congratulations.
Congratulations of being a finisher! Well done.
Can’t wait to see the pics (actually I think this is my work blocking images so I will check them out from home tonight)
Glad to hear it went so well.
Yay. Still sad we didn’t get to meet – definitely next time.
Maybe I should’ve read this after breakfast. All I could focus on was the McDonald’s in the background and when you said “good humor” I automatically thought of ice cream. To keep on the food related train of thought, the next time you are in the Nashville area you must go to Miller’s. Best food ever.
I am looking forward to your next series of pictures. These were great and so are you!
Yay! Great job! You know, we actually discussed going to Nashville – stuff happened that kept us from signing up, and now, when I hear about the heat, I’m really glad. Congratulations on finishing and having fun- that’s what it’s all about! Which one are you thinking about next? Seattle RnR is coming up at the end of June. Should not be hot (though that was a 99 degree day last year). I’m signed up, with the caveat that if the temps are high, I’ll pass. You could run with me, and really pull in a slow time!
YAY! You totally are bad ass.
congratulations!! you look so good at the end!
I don’t think you look spent at the end at all! You should see me after a 3 mile run- my face is all red and I look ridiculous! Anyway, congrats!!!
~Kelly
http://redsoxcap.blogspot.com
Congratulations! I remember that first run after a marathon. It’s painful! Your race pics are fabulous. I love the McD’s golden arches in that one pic – like all of you marathoners were stopping in for fries along the route.
Running and finishing a marathon is a huge accomplishment!!!!!
Fun pictures! I can’t wait for the full report! It’s so funny, I just posted (part of) my report from this weekend and I said the same thing about where the 1/2 split from the full. I loved that feeling!!
Which one you gonna do in a few weeks?? I would (kind of/maybe/possibly) also like to do another one soon to take advantage of the training, but…honestly I don’t think my body is up to that. Maybe I will do 2 after my next round of training…
Amazing. I really don’t know how you do it. And in 86° heat?! Sheesh!
If you ever want to do a half marathon in Southern California, you let me know.
Congrats on finishing!!
WOOOHOOOO! I am so proud and so happy for you!!!!! I swear you had to pry that medal from around my neck, it was so hard to let go!!!
Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations..!!!
Oh, and I’d love to see some fried okra, ’cause I love that stuff.
jc
Awesome job! Many congrats on the great accomplishment! I was on the other side of the coin on Sunday, the side that turns off for the half, in Pittsburgh. My first 26.2 is less than 6 months away and I cannot wait.
That’s you after 26 miles? Where’s the sweat and the beet red face? You look way too good, girl. I think you took a cab.
More than 30 corrals??!! Wild.
Congratulations, Runner!
Congratulations on such a great accomplishment. You rock girl!
Who wants pics of fried okra when you could be eating it!
yum.
And congratulations on finishing!
I love that there is a McDonald’s right by the start…in case you haven’t carb loaded enough right?