The taper period before a large race can be quite traumatic. After struggling the last few weeks to complete my long runs, I was not feeling particularly confident in my ability to complete the upcoming half marathon. Even worse, the half marathon goes up A Mountain in Tucson. A 1.5 mile climb that gains nearly 500 feet, then 1.5 mile fall...all of that in the middle of the race!
We tapered for two weeks. The first week of the taper we cut mileage to 75% of normal. I didnt have any trouble during this week mentally, but I struggled physically. All that rest can wear you out! My legs felt heavy during runs, my breathing struggled to stay under control, and I lost even more confidence. The second week of the taper, we cut mileage to 25% of normal. We only ran twice in the evenings, both 6 milers. The first 6 miler of the week I was feeling horrible. I just could not keep pace, or focus. I had a slight panic attack at mile 3, then got up and finished. This definitely worried me about the race!
The night before the race, we had gotten a hotel room a mile away from the start line. We got up there, and lo and behold, a car had run into the hotel and it was closed. So we got moved to a partner hotel down the road...and officially in the ghetto! It was an interesting night and I didnt get much sleep. Thanks nerves!
Race morning was fine. It wasnt too hot or too cold. We picked up our packets really early and brought our shirts to the car. We ran a little to warm up, then sat around and waited for the start. I visited the port-a-john a few times hoping, no praying, for something to get moving. But of course, it wouldnt. Thanks, nerves, again!
The course did a 5K loop before taking off on the long out and back course. Luckily, that meant we would run by the port-a-johns at the 3 mile mark...just when I needed it! After a brief pause, we were all business to finish the race! I was pumped! We were actually doing it!
Throughout the course, I kept thinking of all the hard work we had put in training to get to this race and how important the race was to me. My parents were even driving up from home to watch us finish. I think all this added to the stress, which finally broke at the top of A Mountain. I got a horrible side pain. Not a stitch or a cramp, but an internal organ area pain. It lasted 2.5 miles and every step sucked. Then, as quickly as it came, it went away.
Matt's legs started to give out around the 12 mile mark, and again at the 13 mile. We were so close. I told him just keep going, we will see the finish line any second now. Then we did! I saw my parents with their cameras, and my brother recording a video. Matt grabbed my hand and we ran the last .1 mile together, hand in hand. I shed a tear about 20 feet from the finish line, then smiled for the camera (of course!).
We got our finishers medals and found my parents. I think they were as happy as we were! 6 months ago, I told my mom I wanted to run a half marathon (this was the day I ran 1 mile straight for the first time ever), and she said "Lets start at 5K". To finish a half marathon, with her there cheering me on, was a great feeling! We posed for some pictures, went out to IHOP for breakfast (and splurged on food we would never had eaten on a normal day), then drove home. I smiled all day.
We were pretty sore the next day (or two, or three). Matt hurt his toe during the half and was sidelined for a whole week. I ran a few times, feeling pretty good each run, but I could feel the mountain for a few days!
We tapered for two weeks. The first week of the taper we cut mileage to 75% of normal. I didnt have any trouble during this week mentally, but I struggled physically. All that rest can wear you out! My legs felt heavy during runs, my breathing struggled to stay under control, and I lost even more confidence. The second week of the taper, we cut mileage to 25% of normal. We only ran twice in the evenings, both 6 milers. The first 6 miler of the week I was feeling horrible. I just could not keep pace, or focus. I had a slight panic attack at mile 3, then got up and finished. This definitely worried me about the race!
The night before the race, we had gotten a hotel room a mile away from the start line. We got up there, and lo and behold, a car had run into the hotel and it was closed. So we got moved to a partner hotel down the road...and officially in the ghetto! It was an interesting night and I didnt get much sleep. Thanks nerves!
Race morning was fine. It wasnt too hot or too cold. We picked up our packets really early and brought our shirts to the car. We ran a little to warm up, then sat around and waited for the start. I visited the port-a-john a few times hoping, no praying, for something to get moving. But of course, it wouldnt. Thanks, nerves, again!
The course did a 5K loop before taking off on the long out and back course. Luckily, that meant we would run by the port-a-johns at the 3 mile mark...just when I needed it! After a brief pause, we were all business to finish the race! I was pumped! We were actually doing it!
Throughout the course, I kept thinking of all the hard work we had put in training to get to this race and how important the race was to me. My parents were even driving up from home to watch us finish. I think all this added to the stress, which finally broke at the top of A Mountain. I got a horrible side pain. Not a stitch or a cramp, but an internal organ area pain. It lasted 2.5 miles and every step sucked. Then, as quickly as it came, it went away.
Matt's legs started to give out around the 12 mile mark, and again at the 13 mile. We were so close. I told him just keep going, we will see the finish line any second now. Then we did! I saw my parents with their cameras, and my brother recording a video. Matt grabbed my hand and we ran the last .1 mile together, hand in hand. I shed a tear about 20 feet from the finish line, then smiled for the camera (of course!).
We got our finishers medals and found my parents. I think they were as happy as we were! 6 months ago, I told my mom I wanted to run a half marathon (this was the day I ran 1 mile straight for the first time ever), and she said "Lets start at 5K". To finish a half marathon, with her there cheering me on, was a great feeling! We posed for some pictures, went out to IHOP for breakfast (and splurged on food we would never had eaten on a normal day), then drove home. I smiled all day.
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