Ohhhh We're Half Way There...

I registered for the Hyannis Half Marathon on November 11, 2013 and set the February race as the next goal in my freshman running career. Soon thereafter, I took an enormous leap and decided to run the 118th Boston Marathon. Today I hit the 13.1 mile mark in my training and actually ended up running a little farther. Reaching this milestone wasn't easy. It has taken me months to train my body to go the distance and today's training run was no less of a challenge. It had hills, wind, cold and even a running breakdown.

My husband, Dan, drove me out to Wellesley this morning and after searching for an open coffee shop to make one last trip to the bathroom, I began my 13+ mile trip to Boston. My plan was to meet 4 miles in with my Race for Rehab teammate, Amy, and finish the route together. Somehow we planned our timing perfectly, because just as I passed Newton Wellesley Hospital, I caught a glimpse of my new running partner, who had just arrived at the Woodland T Stop.

Amy and I absolutely crushed the Newton Hills. We improved our pace from last week's 12 mile training run and felt more familiar with the Boston Marathon's notorious hills. I think we probably went a little too fast, because I found myself losing steam as we turned onto Beacon Street and in need of a break. I ended up walking for .1 miles to give my legs a bit of a rest. Amy was amazingly encouraging and gave me the confidence to keep going after I composed myself.

Whenever I have to stop, like I did today, and walk for a minute, I feel a sense of defeat, doubt and disappointment. However, after some thought, I am no longer going to look at those "resting" moments as the 3D's, but rather a time to check back into myself, adjust and recommit to the task at hand. When I reviewed my run this afternoon, which I tract via Garmin, I realized that those walking "breaks" actually helped me pick back up my pace. Even with our running time-out, Amy and I managed to conquer the miles, hills and half of the Boston Marathon course with a 10:35 pace.

Now that I have an unofficial half marathon under my belt, I have my eyes on a "PR" for Hyannis. I want to crush the race AND my fundraising for Spaulding Rehab Hospital. If you haven't already donated, or are feeling extra generous and inclined to make an additional contribution, please visit my personal fundraising page by clicking here.

In closing, I am so incredibly proud and feel a great sense of accomplishment reaching the half-way point of 26.2! I couldn't help but sing the legendary Bon Jovi song "Livin' on a Prayer," especially the "oooh we're half way there...." part as I ran down Boylston street today.