A Happy Day

Going back to December 31st you can read my resolution to try to get back into running. I thought about doing some 5k races and maybe even a 10k with the idea that having a goal would make skipping a workout harder. As I looked at the race calendars I saw the First Watch race in Sarasota during our stay here. Only problem was that it was a Half Marathon. That is 13.1 miles. I pondered on it pretty much the month of January and ended up signing up because it is advertised as a walker friendly course. I knew I had enough time to train for a walking event and maybe throw in a few jogs. And running a hlaf marathon had always been a kind of bucket list thing I thought about trying. The goal would be to finish the race and it would be nice to shoot for 15 minute miles. The course was to be open for 4 hours so I felt pretty comfotable about being able to finish. As the event drew nearer I worried that I had taken on a little more than I could accomplish. My longest practice walk/run on the treadmill at home had been just 10 miles. And the treadmill is suppose to be easier than outdoors. Yesterday was spent in thinking "what have I gotten myself into". But as I surfed the web on last minute ideas I read one that stuck with me. "Whatever you do don't talk yourself out of the race". The last thing I looked at last night on the race website was a box to postpone your entry to next year. I might have thought about it but I didn't click on it.

So at 5:30AM this morning...which thank you daylight saving time was 4:30AM on the clock in our room I got up and set about my December goal. There were 2200 half marathoners along with another 200 relay teams at the start. I placed myself with the walkers who were all well back from the actual starting line. It was cold and dark but Steve was there with lots of positive thoughts for me as well as the advice "DO NOT GO OUT TOO FAST". I followed the advice and walked pretty much the first 6 miles. I was amazed at how well I felt so from that point on I started adding a little jogging mixed with the walking. I felt great at the 12 mile mark and walked under the finish line at 3 hours 6 minutes and 45 seconds. BUT my true time as posted was 3 hours and 3 minutes. The new technology has a computer chip on your bib that computes when you cross the starting line and when you finish. Pretty cool. Now I think I need to do another half marathon and break the 3 hours. I know I could have run more but I was sticking to the plan of being able to finish and I did.

Steve had the camera and of course as any good event planner would know there will be professional photos available, so look for more pictures. Thanks for all of you that knew I was doing this and didn't think I was crazy.

P.S. The calories burned chart shows that approximately 100 calories are burned per mile...hummmm..I think I'll be enjoying something special tonight.