Ran My First Half Marathon

Submitted by Corinne G. from Agriculture

I had three goals and they were simple: finish the race, run the whole way and don’t throw up.

Prior to my first half marathon, I had only ever run two 5Ks that were less about training and more about survival. Confession: I’ve never actually enjoyed running. I’ve been known to pound the pavement from time to time when I need to burn some excess energy. And I keep hearing rumors of that ‘runner’s high.’ As of yet, the only thing I’ve ever felt after a run is a strong desire to sit down.

That all changed in early February when my cousins emailed me with details of a race along the coast of Maine. They were running the full marathon and a quick Google search revealed that I had just enough time to train for a half marathon. Having never been to Maine before, I figured that was a good reason to go.

That Google search also produced the adage, ‘If you can run three miles, you can run 13.1.’ I didn’t really, truly believe that. But I like doing stuff that’s hard. I figured it was worth a shot.

Following a basic 13-week novice training plan that I found online, the distances slowly built up. My speed never actually improved. A 12- to 13-minute mile is pretty typical for me, which is quite slow. Those three simple goals kept me moving despite bad weather, illness and general feelings of I’d-Rather-Be-Doing-Anything-Else.

On May 11, I found myself surrounded by 2,999 people I had never met before, at a starting line in a city I had never been to before, about to do something I had never done before. Just short of three hours later, I crossed the finish line, having run the entire way and without (thank goodness) throwing up.

Still no runner’s high. But the people were so nice, the scenery was gorgeous, and salt and vinegar potato chips taste AMAZING after you’ve spent almost three hours sweating to death. I’ll also never forget the lady who hollered “GET IT GIRL!!!” at the end as I was sprinting toward the finish. I heard that. I needed it.

I’m slow. But I did it.

Next race: Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon, September 7.