The Half

(I started writing this a while ago, but it's completion got lost in the daily craziness of life!)
The last time I ran 13.1 miles, Emily couldn't walk, Ethan just started 'real' preschool, and I was still nursing. Much has changed since then. Emily is now at Ethan's old preschool, Ethan is in kindergarten and I am back at work full-time. But us girls are still running strong.
After completing the triathlon in August, my training switched focus and I started running 4 times a week. I knew that I had to build up some mileage. Fortunately and unfortunately, the race fell after the start of school. It was great motivation to keep running when I really didn't want to, already feeling incredibly crunched for time. I ended up fitting in my runs early in the morning, many before the sun came up. But I had a hard time etching out more than an hour or two on the weekend for a long run, and as a result, I never ran more than 9 or 10 miles in my training.
I went into the race feeling like the best of my running days had passed. I was tired, achy, PMSing. Not ideal conditions for any run. But I was determined to do my best, and those who know me know that I can be very competitive. From the beginning, I figured if I could just keep up with Pam, one of my wonderful running buddies, I would be okay as I knew Pam had been running longer distances.
At the start of the race, the first couple of miles were blogged down with little opportunity to surge ahead. But around the 2nd mile I spotted Pam making her move, leaving Sarah and I behind. I continued to run in the traffic with Sarah for a while but couldn't let Pam out of my sight. When I saw the chance, I too ran ahead trying to get away from the masses. I luckily fell in behind two men running at a good pace and simply followed their lead for the next couple of miles. I finally caught back up with Pam and we ran the rest of the race in stride.
Despite my original misgivings, I started to feel good as we continued on. The miles seemed to be going by quickly and I was thankful for that. I was pushing myself but not totally uncomfortable - there is a fine line between the two. I felt like I could keep up the pace for at least the next several miles. Then I figured adrenaline would kick in and I'd cruise to the finish line. I didn't take into account the fact that if my thighs were starting to feel it at mile 7 or 8 that they would be burning after several more. And of course they were. It is a good thing that running isn't all physical. I mentally made my legs keep up that pace and paid for it over the next couple of days. Pam and I took turns pushing ahead and each other. As we headed back across the bridge toward City Island, we decided to sprint to the end and literally crossed the finish line at the same time. And under 2 hours. I was thirsty. I was in pain. I felt like crap. I was glad it was over. And I was smiling.
Now it is time to get into turkey shape for the annual trot on Thanksgiving. Gobble, gobble.