{"id":5386,"date":"2009-05-02T17:09:05","date_gmt":"2009-05-02T21:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foodembrace.com\/?p=5386"},"modified":"2009-05-02T17:48:15","modified_gmt":"2009-05-02T21:48:15","slug":"may-2nd-2009-andreas-first-12-the-columbus-12-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/2009\/05\/may-2nd-2009-andreas-first-12-the-columbus-12-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2nd, 2009: Andrea’s First 1\/2: The Columbus 1\/2 Marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi guys!\u00a0 Last night I was in bed by 9pm and asleep by 10pm.\u00a0 I followed my plan!\u00a0 I woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:40 this morning which really is just damn early for a Saturday.\u00a0 I started moving and shaking around the house to help wake myself up.\u00a0 I poured a cup of coffee and sipped it for a few minutes then I got started making breakfast.\u00a0 I had a big bowl of oatbran and almost finished the entire thing!\u00a0 I got a little gaggy at the end and there were a few bites that I couldn’t manage.\u00a0 I drank water as I ate breakfast. I also filled out the back of my bib and was surprised they actually had my food allergy listed!<\/p>\n

\"No

No strawberries please<\/p><\/div>\n

That’s right, I’m allergic to strawberries.\u00a0 I’ve never seen this listed before and always have to add it in.\u00a0 And now you also know my med allergies. I trust you won’t use them against me. ;)<\/p>\n

I got dressed and packed a duffle bag with towels and an extra set of clothes.\u00a0 The towels were in case it rained and the clothes were in case I got super sweaty and skankelly (skanky smelly, you know what it is).\u00a0 Scott packed a bag of things for him to fiddle with while he waited for me to finish the race.\u00a0 There was also a small cooler full of water and drinks for after the race.<\/p>\n

It was a cool morning!\u00a0 The high today is only supposed to get to 60F and early this morning it was very chilly.\u00a0 We left a bit later than we meant to but we still made it to the race with time to spare.\u00a0 We luckily found parking close by that was FREE! We quickly parked and started the walk to the starting point.\u00a0 I had to use the porta-potty because I had to pee like a race horse.\u00a0 I thankfully went to the bathroom before leaving the house so I at least didn’t have that as a concern.\u00a0 I waited in a very long slow moving line and made it to the john.\u00a0 I’ll spare you the details but it was gross and I was gagging the whole time I was in there.\u00a0 I was afraid I might actually cross the line into Vomitville because I was gagging so much.\u00a0 But I held strong and did not!<\/p>\n

It wasn’t long after I got out of the porta-potty that I had to line up for the race!<\/p>\n

\"Race

Race day!<\/p><\/div>\n

Me pre-lineup and all smiles.\u00a0 I’m actually scared out of my gord at this point but you can’t even tell!\u00a0 Or can you? No makeup obviously because I’m racing and am not about to wear makeup to run. One girl I saw did not have the same opinion and had on makeup like she was going clubbing. Maybe she was? We did run through the Short North so who knows.<\/p>\n

I lined up with the others.\u00a0 I thought they were going to line us up by time but we all just sort of grouped in and found a spot.<\/p>\n

\"be

be cool, be cool<\/p><\/div>\n

I’m very much trying not to cry and lose my shit here.\u00a0 The motivational phrases they were tossing out were awesome and also getting to me just a bit.\u00a0 I kept my cool and just focused on doing my run.\u00a0 And no, I’m not channeling my inner Michael Jackson, those are wristbands I’m wearing to wipe off the sweat! :D\u00a0 Then the line started moving!<\/p>\n

\"I'm

I'm off!<\/p><\/div>\n

I walked a good ways before I was at a point where the congestion eased up and I could start jogging.\u00a0 The first part of the race was on brick.\u00a0 Yikes!\u00a0 Brick is even harder than concrete.\u00a0 I made sure to take it super slow.<\/p>\n

I kept my pace slow and steady.\u00a0 I wanted to get through this race with minimal problems.\u00a0 I opted not to wear my CamelBak.\u00a0 It was a cool day and very overcast so I wasn’t worried about needing lots of water.\u00a0 Plus it tends to weigh me down and I decided to hit the water stations if I needed a drink.<\/p>\n

There were so many people!\u00a0 I think 7,000 total were running today which just amazes me.\u00a0 That is a lot when you’re seeing everyone as a huge group.<\/p>\n

I wore my HRM<\/abbr> and was very thankful for that.\u00a0 I started it as I crossed the start line and it was more accurate for me.\u00a0 The mile marker times were about 7 minutes ahead of what my HRM<\/abbr> said because that timer started at the start of the race and not my specific start time.<\/p>\n

I knew I was running slow and I was doing that on purpose.\u00a0 About a 12 minute mile or so.\u00a0 I didn’t want to push it too much.<\/p>\n

One of my biggest fears was being super slow due to the fact that this is a new course and I had no idea where I was going.\u00a0 I was pleasently surprised when the miles were just flying by!\u00a0 I was around people all the time and never by myself.\u00a0 There were lots of spectators and supporters the whole way along with police officers directing traffic.\u00a0 Always being around people was very helpful!\u00a0 Plus there were lots of people running the same pace I was so while I didn’t know them or chat with them, it was a comfort having people you recognized around you.<\/p>\n

Scott and I thought that he would be able to see me around mile 6.\u00a0 For some reason both of us seemed to recall reading on the race website that mile 6 would be close to the start and a good point for getting pictures.\u00a0 It was around mile 5 that my right IT band started tightening up on me.\u00a0 Crap!\u00a0 Was my first thought and then I realized that I could get past this.\u00a0 I had picked up my pace at this point so I slowed it back down and immediately my leg felt much better.<\/p>\n

Whew!!\u00a0 That was close!\u00a0 Had my thigh tightened up on me too much I’m not sure how I would have handled that.<\/p>\n

I never saw a mile marker for 6 miles and before I realized it I was passing the mile 7 marker.\u00a0 Crap I missed Scott!\u00a0 I hope he got some good pictures if he saw me is all I was thinking.<\/p>\n

Around 8.5 miles or so I spotted a larger group of spectators.\u00a0 I was running downhill and then I spotted my babies!\u00a0 I didn’t miss him after all!\u00a0 I waved at him as soon as I noticed him standing there.\u00a0 I got a little teary at that point too because I was so happy to see him again!\u00a0 That pushed me to keep going and going!<\/p>\n

\"Here

Here I come!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Gotta

Gotta keep moving <\/p><\/div>\n

\"Later

Later babies! See you at the finish!<\/p><\/div>\n

It wasn’t long after I passed Scott that I pulled over quickly to stretch my IT band.\u00a0 I debated for a long time about whether or not to stop and finally decided to just stretch it and hope that helped.\u00a0 I wasn’t stopped long and it did help.\u00a0 I was back on my way!\u00a0 At the 9mile mark I took a cup of water and pulled out my gummie bears to eat.<\/p>\n

My stomach was feeling a bit empty and I decided to play it safe and eat some bears.\u00a0 Man they were too chewy!\u00a0 They weren’t super soft bears but a bit harder and chewier.\u00a0 I had them tucked into a pocket in my capris so I thought they would warm up and get gooey but I guess not.\u00a0 I had a few and tucked the rest back in my pocket.<\/p>\n

I hit mile 10 and was so happy!\u00a0 Only 3 more miles to go and that’s it!\u00a0 I was really happy with myself at this point!\u00a0 I only stopped at 3 water stations briefly for a quick sip and once to stretch my leg.\u00a0 Otherwise I was running the whole time.\u00a0 YaY!<\/p>\n

I’m not sure if the mileage was slightly off or what but a lady who was running next to me said her Garmin just beeped that it was mile 11 but there was no marker around.\u00a0 Finally we came up on the mile marker but it seemed like a good while before that happened.\u00a0 Maybe the route on her Garmin was off a bit?\u00a0 Regardless, mile 11, hooray!\u00a0 Two more miles to go!<\/p>\n

One thing about this route is that there were a ton of hills which I didn’t know about.\u00a0 Very gradual inclines but hills nonetheless.\u00a0 One thing I was surprised about was how much I kicked ass on hills.\u00a0 While everyone else slowed down, my pace increased and I was passing everyone. :p\u00a0 It also made my knee and thigh feel a bit better.\u00a0 Weird!<\/p>\n

Mile 12!\u00a0 There was another hill at the end but after that it was all downhill and straight to the finish.\u00a0 I booked it!\u00a0 Only a mile left and I wasn’t going to waste time. I sprinted the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

I saw Scott at one point and was able to acknowledge him and then I breezed on by.<\/p>\n

\"Hell

Hell yes!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The

So close!<\/p><\/div>\n

The finish was right around the corner!\u00a0 I saw Scott again closer to the finish line.\u00a0 What?\u00a0 How’d he get there so fast?\u00a0 He must have run!<\/p>\n

\"DONE!!\"

DONE!!<\/p><\/div>\n

You can see me around that guy who was in the way. :p<\/p>\n

I kept going and crossed the finish!\u00a0 YES!!\u00a0 Holy crap I just ran a half marathon.<\/p>\n

Holy crap!<\/p>\n

I was handed my metal and then started looking around to find Scott.\u00a0 I needed something in my bellah so I snagged a banana and some water.\u00a0 It took me a while to find my hunnies.\u00a0 He apparently saw me the entire time and was taking pictures.<\/p>\n

\"Some

Some high steps <\/p><\/div>\n

\"Stretching

Stretching the IT bands<\/p><\/div>\n

After running distances I do a lot of butt-kicks and high steps. Makes my legs feel so much better!<\/p>\n

The little butthead!\u00a0 I don’t know why he didn’t try to get my attention or come over or anything.<\/p>\n

Finally we hooked up.<\/p>\n

\"All

All I wanted <\/p><\/div>\n

You all know I had some sweet sweet CS<\/abbr> after I was done.<\/p>\n

Ahhhh perfect!!<\/p>\n

\"Accomplishment

Accomplishment <\/p><\/div>\n

Oh yeah I just ran 13.1 miles suckas!\u00a0 Then I was off to stuff my face at breakfast. ;)\u00a0 Details on the Daily Eats page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Seriously this race was like a blur.\u00a0 All the miles seem to mesh together because it just went so quickly!\u00a0 My HRM<\/abbr> monitor said I did this in 2:47 but I know I have to take a few minutes off because I forgot to stop it once I crossed the finish line.\u00a0 Whoops!\u00a0 I was hoping to have a 2:30 finish but that wasn’t going to happen because I had to take it slow.\u00a0 However, I don’t really care about my time.\u00a0 I finished this race and aside from 3 water breaks, I ran this whole thing.\u00a0 And those water breaks were short!\u00a0 Gulp, toss, run. :D<\/p>\n

I have to give huge thanks to Scott.\u00a0 He supported me through this whole experience from suggestion, to training, through injury and therapy, and finally through to the finish line.\u00a0 I can always count on him and for that I am very thankful!<\/p>\n

Also a major thanks to Rose<\/a> who was also with me from the start. We became racing buddies because \u00a0we were both running our first 1\/2s this weekend.\u00a0 We were constantly on the same page (even down to our race day outfits!) and it was so helpful having her as a support and a friend.<\/p>\n

And a shoutout to my other girls who are about to run their first 1\/2s soon!<\/p>\n

Andrea<\/a><\/p>\n

Allison<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah<\/a><\/p>\n

Heather<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ve been emailing with them as well and am so very thankful that the foodie world has introduced me to some amazing women.<\/p>\n

Aimee<\/a> is also running the Pittsburgh 1\/2 and this will be her third 1\/2! Stop by everyone’s site and give them props for taking on such an exciting challenge!<\/p>\n

Now where’s my wine?!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi guys!\u00a0 Last night I was in bed by 9pm and asleep by 10pm.\u00a0 I followed my plan!\u00a0 I woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:40 this morning which really is just damn early for a Saturday.\u00a0 I started moving and shaking around the house to help wake myself up.\u00a0 I poured a cup […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[58,52],"tags":[62,53],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4KYWa-1oS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5386"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5386\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}