Saturday, August 20, 2011

My First Half Marathon!

Today I ran my FIRST half marathon!  



My daughter, Candice, and I got up early and drove to Mapleton Park where we loaded on buses that took us to the starting line.  I was concerned about Candice.  She is 5 months pregnant. She had decided she'd do a run/walk to get to the finish line. 


(Candice at mile 11)
  
The bus dropped us off an hour before the race started.  We stretched, walked, drank water, visited the port-a-potties and listened to instructions.  Then the gun went off and the race began.  I like that time when we're all trying to get to the start line.  That's the only time I'm shoulder to shoulder with those who run 7 minute miles!


Most of the time we were running downhill.  I found out that downhill running is hard on these old knees!  By the time I got to mile 6, I was feeling it, especially in my left knee.  It wasn't just stiff and tight, it was painful!  I kept praying it would hold up for me and it did. 
By the time we were running down main street heading to the finish line.  I was limp running.  You know how that is; push off hard with the right foot and a quick step with the left.  I'm sure those who were on the side lines watching will try that form of running next time they're in a race.  It was quite impressive!


(I was trying to be brave - I'm brave to post this picture)


I crossed the finish line at 2 hours 26 minutes and some seconds. 


Candice was a little bit longer.  She has decided she'd rather be towards the back of the pack, that way when she crosses the finish line, all the cheering is for her only!






I heard a joke about the guy who ran his first marathon.  He said, "Today I ran 2 marathons, my first AND my last!"  I have never run a full marathon but I think I could do another half...once my knee feels better.




When I picked up the packet at "The Runner's Corner" I heard a woman explain to another runner that the reason there's no shirt in the packet is because it is ONLY for finishers and we'd get it at the end of the race! I asked the person who gave me the packet if she could show me the finisher's shirt to see if it was worth finishing or not.   She didn't.  




What do you think?  Should I wear it to church?



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40 comments:

  1. CBAugust 20, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Connie - HOOOORAY!!!
    You look so strong running!! What a wonderful feeling it must be to be a "finisher" and get that shirt!!

    I cannot believe Candice did this race pregnant - Way to go!!!

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  2. Vicki @ Grams Made ItAugust 20, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Awesome achievement! I'm very impressed. My knees hurt just reading about it. As for the shirt, I would never take it off!

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  3. JulieAugust 20, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    I'm SO impressed. Way to go! I asked my doctor if I could run again, he said, "sure, but not downhill." :)

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  4. TeachinfourthAugust 20, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    I usually only run when I'm being chased by wild animals through the forest or by axe murderers.

    Kudos to you...there was neither.

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  5. JoanieAugust 20, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Connie,Wow Wow,You should be very proud of yourself being able to finish with a sore knee. You are amazing, and you should just wear that Tshirt everywhere you go. The get it framed! It looks great on you.
    What exciting news for me to wake up to.

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  6. LindaAugust 20, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Are you kidding me, I'd wear that shirt 24/7 for the next week if I'd finished a marathon! So proud and impressed with your latest accomplishment Connie! Way to go sister!

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  7. wendyAugust 20, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    whoopeee........I would have totally been cheering for you if I were there. That is awesome.
    Of course wear the t-shirt to church, there is some kind of message there I think
    like..........maybe the Lord has a cool t-shirt waiting for us
    (or not)
    anyway, way to go girl
    and I hope your knee starts feeling better

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  8. Susan RAugust 20, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Woo Hoo! Big congratulations to you. What an amazing thing to accomplish.
    Heck ya I'd wear it to church. Wear it with pride, you deserve it.

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  9. Julie HarwardAugust 20, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Heck yes! It would be just right with a skirt! Wash it first though LOL Way to go...that is most awesome! :D

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  10. ValerieAugust 21, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    If I did something amazing like that and had a shirt to prove it, I'd wear it everywhere. :) Congrats!

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  11. BarbalootAugust 21, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    You are amazing!! I hated every second of the half I did. It was definitely a first and a last for me:)

    Good for you. That is great time---and good for Candice! Five months pregnant and still doing a half!! Wow!

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  12. yvonneAugust 21, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    YOU DID GREAT. Hooray. I didn't realize it was a downhill race. I'm glad you hung in there until the end. You look wonderful. Way to go.

    I love your shirt--very cute.

    And Congratulations to Candice. I can't believe she did it. That is quite an accomplishment.

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  13. yvonneAugust 21, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    By the way, INCREDIBLE time.

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  14. KazzyAugust 21, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I am so proud of you. I wish you had reminded me because I would have come and cheered you on!!! WooHoo!!

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  15. Kristina P.August 21, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    You are such a rock star!

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  16. Grandma HoneyAugust 21, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Wowie! I am IMPRESSED!!
    Seriously, that is one HUGE accomplishment.

    The question now is, how do you feel today??

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  17. ConnieAugust 21, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Grandma Honey,
    I feel like I've been run over by a truck! Other than that, I feel GREAT!

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  18. Jenny LynnAugust 21, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    You are amazing! If you didn't wear this week to church, there is always next week.

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  19. The KingsAugust 21, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Hi Connie. I just saw your comment on my blog. Thanks for the comment and for stopping by - I don't mind at all :) I love your blog! That's awesome that you did a half marathon!!! I have two months to get ready to run in a fun run here in Tasmania for Make a Wish with my family. I'm scared already and it's only 6.5 km! I need to start training :)

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  20. RebeccaAugust 21, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Holy guacamole! You and Candice are seriously amazing. And I do hope you wore your shirt to church. =)

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  21. lesaAugust 21, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Awesome! Great job, I'm impressed.

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  22. Doran & JodyAugust 21, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    YEAH!!
    Uh...maybe not to church but I would wear it for 5 days straight with PRIDE!

    Great job!!

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  23. karenAugust 21, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    I'm so proud of you! You went out and represented the rest of us who would love to be able to do it with you but are unable to. And the T-shirt? If I finished a half marathon, I'd find a way to wear it to church! Yay, you!

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  24. UnknownAugust 21, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Congrats Connie!!

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  25. KimmieAugust 22, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    A big CONGRATULATIONS to you and Candice!! (still am amazed that she ran a half-marathon 5 months pregnant...that is such persistence!)

    WOW, what a wonderful accomplishment to have finished your first half-marathon! Less than 2 years, I hope to be finishing my first half marathon as well!!

    YOU are amazing and inspiring Connie and YES, the t-shirt definitely is something you should wear PROUDLY and quite often (maybe not to church), but YES, you need to show off that you are a FINISHER!! I'm sure all of the women in your neighborhood are amazed that you started running later in life and that you run marathons!

    Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing week and that your knees are feeling better after expending all of that energy in running!

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  26. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    You are soo awesome! That is just fabulous! Congratulations on being a finisher (but I think you already knew you were, right?)

    (p.s., I see your cute little pic on so many blogs, so I had to meet you!)

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  27. Welcome to the Garden of EganAugust 22, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    You are amazing! I am hanging my head in shame cuz I haven't been out and about in this sunlight for weeks.

    You go girl!

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  28. M.L. @ The House of WhimsyAugust 22, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Kudos to you!!!! So impressive!
    Also, I looooooved the wedding photos below. I'm so happy it all went well. : )
    M.L.

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  29. KerinAugust 22, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Cheers to you! You look adorable in the t-shirt, and you earned it! Where it to church and everywhere else :)

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  30. TracyAugust 22, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    You constantly amaze me!! You are truly an inspiration!! LOVE the shirt, you add just the right personality to it!!

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  31. NatalieAugust 23, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    WOW !WOW! Congratulatios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    You are just awesome and your time is so awesome too. Yes, you are an inspiration to so many. You are most definitely a finisher and in more ways than one.

    Love ya.

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  32. ValerieAugust 23, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    5 months pregnant?
    Wow! You ladies are awesome!!! Way to go!!!

    I'd totally wear that shirt everywhere! :)

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  33. CamilleAugust 23, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    very impressive! Imagine what a shmuck I feel like being outrun by my mom and a pregnant sister! (Im definitely NOT the "brave" one!) I'm so impressed with you guys! DO IT AGAIN!

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  34. mCatAugust 24, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Yesssss - the post I've been waiting to read so I could savor it. SAVOR IT!

    First - SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! People don't realize how hard a half is AND that particular course! Your time is fantastic!!!

    The shirts are pretty dang awesome - hadn't heard of them only giving to the finishers, but I like that idea.

    Please tell me you wore it to church PLEASE!!

    Congrats girl! So happy and proud of you!

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  35. Stacy J. ColesAugust 25, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Hi Connie,
    Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you keep coming by. Congratulations on the run. What an accomplishment!!

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  36. gigiAugust 25, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    You are amazing!!!!!!!!!! Congrays to the both of you!!

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  37. bjAugust 27, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    o, you cute thing...of COURSE you should wear it to church...and anywhere else you might want to. You should be very proud...wish my olden legs were healthier..I'd try running a half marathon. :))
    Hug your girl for me...she ROCKS !
    Thanks for coming by, visiting and following me. I am just about to become your newest follower..maybe we can meet in the middle of a run, sit down, have a brownie and icy cold milk. :))
    Come back soon...
    xo bj

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  38. Jenny LynnAugust 28, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Gave you an award on my blog, thought you would like to see it. Hope the start of the new school year is treating you well.

    Jenny

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  39. Mimi SueAugust 28, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    I hope you did wear that shirt to church. You go girl! Looks like the wedding reception was fun. Mimi

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  40. KameeSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    SO awesome!! You amaze me:)

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