peachy perspective

After months of training, the big day finally came and now it’s over. Thank you, Lord.

Saturday I participated in the Country Music Half Marathon once again. Unlike last year, there was not a cloud in the sky to taunt us all with the threat of rain. It was so freakin’ hot, especially since I hadn’t trained at all in heat and humidity.

I was able to see quite a few of my fellow racing friends before the race which was great and made the waiting time pass by quickly. However, the combination of the heat and hills took a toll on my mind and body and I wasn’t able to keep up with my friends for very long. I was quite frustrated then and many other times along the course. However, I kept going—mainly at a brisk walk with spurts of jogging—for the full 13.1 miles. YAY!

Besides finishing the race, my other goal was to not pass out. I saw three people being picked up by ambulances along the course. For real. That wasn’t too encouraging. This caused me to drink even more water to attempt to stay hydrated. Good plan (though my side cramped up often)!

It was great to see quite a few familiar faces along the course, too! Thanks to my parents, Andy, Heather and the girls, Dayna, Lynne, Tiffany, Erin, Leigh, Sherry and others I know I missed because I was passing them by at lightning speed. If you’ve never run a long race like a half marathon, believe me when I say that seeing people you know to cheer you on means so much! It provides that extra boost of energy to sprint ahead (at least until you’re out of sight and then the sprinting might stop). Oh, and wearing a bright orange The Dave Ramsey Show shirt prompted quite a few “Go, Dave Ramsey!” and “We’re Debt Free” cheers along the way, too!

I finished in under three hours, about 25 minutes behind my finish time from last year. I was so exhausted after finishing the course. But I did it. And I got my medal, dang it! And I got two cool quick-dry shirts! And I didn’t get any blisters! And I can still walk! And Dave will reimburse my entry fee of $85! Woo hoo!

I probably walked at least another mile across the pedestrian bridge to the downtown Demos’ (one of my favorite restaurants ever) location for an amazing lunch, complete with lots of bread. For the rest of the day, I craved bread and salt. I ate quite a bit of it, too. But when you wog (walk/jog) for over 13.1 miles in just a few hours, you can justify carb-overload. 

I’m kinda burned out on running for the moment, so I plan on taking it easy with some light jogging, walking, bike riding, hiking, etc. for a while. Will I do the half marathon again next year? As of right now, my answer is no. Do not convince me otherwise.

Here are some of the pictures friends and family took of me along the course:

Getting ready to start the race with Megan, Mallory, Jess and Laura:

The first time I saw my parents. I think this was around mile 4:

Around mile 5 on Belmont Blvd. I had just spotted some of my friends from church at this point. (Good thing I shaved!)

Heather got this shot of me. Can you tell I was surprised to see her and her awesome daughters?

Crossing the finish line! (the clock’s time was 3:41:10 from the start of the first corral. I started about 40 minutes later.) photo credit