Tuesday, April 9, 2013

First Half Marathon...

and probably not my last- yeah, I know I have been saying for quite a while that this was to be my first and last half- however, I should know better than to say that word "never".  Yesterday, my friend Kim, told me that she couldn't wait until I finished because she thought I would be bitten by the bug- I laughed and told her no (mistake).  Then, I had two people last night tell me that I needed to run it again next year because now I know the course and had even more time to train- I laughed (not as hard) and told them no (not as emphatic but still a mistake) and then today, another friend wrote on my FB wall to find out how it went and then asked me when my next one was.  This time I laughed and said it had to be flat.  I have given up saying "no".  Now, I want to improve, I want to get where I can run even more.  I'm still processing all of the day and the feelings so this is not going to be my only post on this- in fact, I am working on a lessons learned post (cause you know I have to do so) :)  Today's post will simply be a recap and a few pictures!

The starting line- about 3100 lined up for the full and the half marathons and then a couple thousand for the 5K.  Due to my projected finish time I was in the back of the pack and that was just fine with me.  Here I am before the 7:30 start time.


My nerves were going big time- Kim told me not to confuse nerves with adrenaline.  We headed out in waves and I ended up crossing the start line about 2 minutes after the gun went off.  I got settled into a bit of a groove and just kept plugging away, step by step.  I hit the 3 mile mark and I felt good- knee was doing well and I was making sure I didn't tense my foot and made full movement (I think I tend not to do so which leads to some cramping).  We headed up to Kingston Pike which would be a pretty steady incline leading to Cherokee Blvd and Noelton Hill (which is where I have been running lately).  Right before we turned the corner were the first signs.  One was an older gentlemen standing there with a lady holding a sign (poster size) of Ryan Gosling and it said- Hey girl, I'm waiting for you at the finish line!  I was around quite a few women and heard several chuckles and then watched as others picked up the pace (to which the man replied- made you run faster didn't it? LOL)  Did I walk- yes I did but surprisingly I ran more than I thought I would.

Lots of water stops- the best was on the greenway right before mile 10 and Tyson Park.  Not only was it a great stop- I was running through there and grabbed the water and heard, "Good Job Tami!"  I looked over and it was a girl I went to college with (and I'm not friends with her on FB so she would not have known to look for me).  That gave me such a boost!  (and for the record- when I hit mile 10 I clapped because that meant only a 5K was left)



Then right around mile 11 I saw my friend Rae Ann- she was taking pictures and took this one- another boost and yes, I really was still smiling at mile 11. 

I climbed what was one of the last hills and got a text (which made me laugh) from a co-worker and friend who was waiting around mile 12.  I turned the corner and saw 2 coworkers and their children (one of which is a student of mine) so that was so cool- to again have the support in those last miles- that really kept me going!


Then the finish- when I saw that finish line I kicked it up a notch and crossed!  My official chip time- 2:46:35.  My number one goal was to finish- check.  My number two goal was to hit 3 hours- check- by almost 15 minutes.  So now, the competitive side of me wants to see if I can beat my time (see why I said I should never say never and laugh).  The feeling to have that medal placed around your neck (by a TN Vols football player) and to know that I accomplished something that I NEVER thought would be possible was AMAZING!!!  As I said- lots of lessons learned and I am working on that post in my head and should be posted this week. 



12 comments:

LetsTalkAndWalk said...

congrats!!!! how exciting to meet both your goals!!! you look so happy in those pictures!

Bill (cycleguy) said...

Just makes me even more proud-not because you were the swiftest (would that ever be?) but because you started and finished. You pushed yourself and fulfilled the dream. love you much

Unknown said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Tami, this is amazing :) I'm SOOOO proud of you for getting out there and finishing!! You ROCKED it :) I can't wait to see your other posts about this...and when you're running your next one ;)

Anonymous said...

You should be so proud of yourself!! You believed and you achieved!! Keep rocking those half marathons girl!!

Amy said...

Congratulations!! Doesn't it feel great?! I just finished my first half in February, and I can say for sure that the bug bit me! I signed up for my second in September :)

Tami Grandi said...

Glenneth- thanks for your support!

Tami Grandi said...

Dad- I know- I never will be and I am okay with that! Love you too

Tami Grandi said...

Caitlin- I know my time is NOTHING like yours but yep I have the bug

Tami Grandi said...

Autumn in July- THANK YOU!

Tami Grandi said...

Amy it does feel GREAT!

Suz and Allan said...

Woohoo, great job Tami! I'm so happy for you meeting both of your goals that you set for the race.

Alicia said...

Congrats on meeting and beating your goals! I love that you had so much support out there on the course.

There are addicting... but in a good way!