Sunday, October 21, 2007
Des Moines IMT Half Marathon 2007
I finished my first Half Marathon today. I started off the day extremely NOT nervous. I've been working on this, but I'm not sure I expected that it would actually happen. Cool. I had everything I needed, plenty of glide and gel and a charged Garmin. Plenty of time to hit the port-o-potty's before the horrendous lines ensued. Also, plenty of time to check out the not-so-virtual Runner's Lounge and say hi to Tom and Amy and Running Hawkeye (he rocked his half!). It was sort 
of surreal, 5 minutes to go, 2 minutes, 30 seconds and we're off, well, not for a couple minutes anyway. I found the actual mat for once and hit Garmin.
The first mile or two were just okay, I ran them pretty well but felt just okay. I figured I would either settle in or not. I never really did, but it wasn't horrible either. In the first mile, I saw a beautiful dark pony tail bobbing, angled for a better view and decided it was Coffee Betsy. I was right, said hello and wished her good luck. She totally rocked the FULL, by the way.
Unfortunately I had some GI *issues* and had to stop at around 2 miles for around 90 seconds. That mile was slow but I was mostly around 12:30 for a couple miles. We headed out to this pretty loop in Waterworks Park and started to see people coming back from the loop. I must have been around mile 5 when my PT guy spotted me, moved to the center and high-fived me on the way by. He was around mile 8 or so. I thought that was so cool of him.
The loop looked huge and I started to hurt, mostly in my hip, but my feet already, too. I finally got to 6 and my hubby called to see where I was. After he called, I felt a little better (maybe it was the walk break? Then I got to see my sweeties shortly after. (the first two pics are at mile 6.5) That lady in yellow thinks I am so lucky. She would be right! :D
We exited Waterworks and moved in to Gray's Lake, what an incredible day. One cool thing was, by this point the Marathon Leaders started passing us. This was the most incredible running I have ever seen. The frontrunner had an amazing loping-like huge stride and looked so ho-hum, and he was way out in front. After that I continued to see the front of the pack and it was really fun.
Hubby noticed this shot of the skyline and lake with a marathon sign and got into the weeds to get me. I was already waving at the kids wondering where he was. Then I saw him come out of the weeds. I am so lucky! He also got a close up and one of me talking to the kids and my mother-in-law. It's so cool to have pictures. Thanks so much, Curtis.
Right after this, unfortnately, I had about a 5 min bathroom break. Oh well. Next came the bridge over the lake, should make for a nice shot from the Marathonfoto dudes. Will post those later if they are cool. Around the lake, I went.... I had about 4 miles left and 1 hour to make it under 3hours. I was pretty tired and decided to take a walk break. That coupled with that long bathroom
break made for quite a while to get around.
The gang met me one more time and snapped a picture of "mile 24" (for the marathoners!). After that I alternated walking and running and basically just gutted it out to the end. I tried to run about the last 1.5 miles but I couldn't do it and ended up walking some of the last mile. Not what I wanted to do, but I did run most of it.
There were way more people around than my last race where I was practically out there by myself. I'm not sure if this helped or hurt my pace,
but it certainly made it fun and interested. Lots of neat people out there really working hard. I had no idea so many people did this!! :D I did have a thought that I am mostly with the fat girls, the old girls and the really old men. Oh well, my times will come. They were all really nice.
I did finish really strong, passed several run-walkers trying to put on a last kick and rolled in at around 3 hours. I figured I would be slightly under with the delay. The kicker? Garmin said I did 13.6. As I finished, I heard my name over the loud speaker. Then, I heard it again from my neighbor who was there looking for wounded. I told her I was proud to be on two feet. Then I got a little teary going through to get my medal. I DID IT!!
of surreal, 5 minutes to go, 2 minutes, 30 seconds and we're off, well, not for a couple minutes anyway. I found the actual mat for once and hit Garmin. The first mile or two were just okay, I ran them pretty well but felt just okay. I figured I would either settle in or not. I never really did, but it wasn't horrible either. In the first mile, I saw a beautiful dark pony tail bobbing, angled for a better view and decided it was Coffee Betsy. I was right, said hello and wished her good luck. She totally rocked the FULL, by the way.
Unfortunately I had some GI *issues* and had to stop at around 2 miles for around 90 seconds. That mile was slow but I was mostly around 12:30 for a couple miles. We headed out to this pretty loop in Waterworks Park and started to see people coming back from the loop. I must have been around mile 5 when my PT guy spotted me, moved to the center and high-fived me on the way by. He was around mile 8 or so. I thought that was so cool of him. The loop looked huge and I started to hurt, mostly in my hip, but my feet already, too. I finally got to 6 and my hubby called to see where I was. After he called, I felt a little better (maybe it was the walk break? Then I got to see my sweeties shortly after. (the first two pics are at mile 6.5) That lady in yellow thinks I am so lucky. She would be right! :D
We exited Waterworks and moved in to Gray's Lake, what an incredible day. One cool thing was, by this point the Marathon Leaders started passing us. This was the most incredible running I have ever seen. The frontrunner had an amazing loping-like huge stride and looked so ho-hum, and he was way out in front. After that I continued to see the front of the pack and it was really fun. 
Hubby noticed this shot of the skyline and lake with a marathon sign and got into the weeds to get me. I was already waving at the kids wondering where he was. Then I saw him come out of the weeds. I am so lucky! He also got a close up and one of me talking to the kids and my mother-in-law. It's so cool to have pictures. Thanks so much, Curtis. Right after this, unfortnately, I had about a 5 min bathroom break. Oh well. Next came the bridge over the lake, should make for a nice shot from the Marathonfoto dudes. Will post those later if they are cool. Around the lake, I went.... I had about 4 miles left and 1 hour to make it under 3hours. I was pretty tired and decided to take a walk break. That coupled with that long bathroom
break made for quite a while to get around. The gang met me one more time and snapped a picture of "mile 24" (for the marathoners!). After that I alternated walking and running and basically just gutted it out to the end. I tried to run about the last 1.5 miles but I couldn't do it and ended up walking some of the last mile. Not what I wanted to do, but I did run most of it.
There were way more people around than my last race where I was practically out there by myself. I'm not sure if this helped or hurt my pace,
but it certainly made it fun and interested. Lots of neat people out there really working hard. I had no idea so many people did this!! :D I did have a thought that I am mostly with the fat girls, the old girls and the really old men. Oh well, my times will come. They were all really nice. I did finish really strong, passed several run-walkers trying to put on a last kick and rolled in at around 3 hours. I figured I would be slightly under with the delay. The kicker? Garmin said I did 13.6. As I finished, I heard my name over the loud speaker. Then, I heard it again from my neighbor who was there looking for wounded. I told her I was proud to be on two feet. Then I got a little teary going through to get my medal. I DID IT!!
2:59:31 (under 3 like I'd hoped, but plenty of room for improvement)
I stopped by the Runner's Lounge and Tom and Amy seemed to be as happy about my finish as I was. We took some pics before I headed out. Thanks so much for your support, you guys!! (they had a great picture taking spot, check out their blog for more runners.)
I was hobbling around pretty good, but came home and helped hubby in the yard!! It was probably the best thing I could have done eventhough I wanted a nap (and looked like a real penguin). My feet are feeling better already (without ice!) so maybe the orthotics are working.
We ate like kings on a meal literally from the cover of our latest Cuisine at Home, complete with Champagne and good wine.
My boys were the best today, big and little. Thank you sweet family for your love and support. Thanks to all of you, too, I thought of many of you today and know that you were thinking of me too.
I AM SO LUCKY
I AM A MOM
I AM A WIFE
I AM A HALF MARATHONER
I AM A RUNNER
Labels: Race Report
# posted by Non-Runner Nancy @ 10:38 PM 
Comments:
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Nancy, your post almost made me cry!!! I am so happy for you!
As I get ready for my first HM, I can only hope I have HALF as great an experience as you have had!!!
You were FANTASTIC!
And I love the 13.1 Virgin sign!!! LOL!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I get ready for my first HM, I can only hope I have HALF as great an experience as you have had!!!
You were FANTASTIC!
And I love the 13.1 Virgin sign!!! LOL!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome photos, Nancy. I really like the one of you with the skyline in tha background. Your husband is quite the photographer. You had very impressive effort today and proved what can be done.
congrats, you did great. I like the gray's lake one too. I remember seeing that lake on tv for the tri held there earlier this year. Now, it's time to pick another hm to run.
congratulations, Nancy.
Great race report - and, again, your family sounds amazing - it is wonderful to read about all the support they gave you on the course.
Even with the walk and bathroom breaks, what you should remember is that you were out there actually doing it which is more than most people can say. It must feel great knowing you are officially a half-marathoner today.
Great race report - and, again, your family sounds amazing - it is wonderful to read about all the support they gave you on the course.
Even with the walk and bathroom breaks, what you should remember is that you were out there actually doing it which is more than most people can say. It must feel great knowing you are officially a half-marathoner today.
Nancy, that is beautimous! Beautimous! ! So inspiring to see the way you put it all together, and how much you enjoyed it. You are all those things. You are a runner, and so much more :-)
Congratulations! I bet that medal - and all it represents - felt great around your neck! Next up, a marathon?
Congrats to you! Way to go!!!! You did great.
What a nice report and great pics. I love your little helpers on the course. I bet they were excited to see Mommy race.
What a nice report and great pics. I love your little helpers on the course. I bet they were excited to see Mommy race.
WAY TO GO, NANCY!
It was so cool to meet you in person. Lots of cheering, hugs, and high fives from me!
It was so cool to meet you in person. Lots of cheering, hugs, and high fives from me!
I am suppose to be hydrating today, but I can't seem to stop crying so I am not sure how that is going to effect the overall input.
These are tears of joy for your success and all the fun it looked like you had! Contratulations, and enjoy basking in your success.
These are tears of joy for your success and all the fun it looked like you had! Contratulations, and enjoy basking in your success.
Seriously Nancy I love reading your posts! This one had me all choked up :) Love the pictures and again congratulations!!!!
OMG Nancy!!!! CONGRATS!!! You did soooo awesome!! Look at you!!! I'm seriously dying of laughter over here with the "virgin" sign. Classic!!! You are now a half marathoner!! WHOO HOOO!!!
You goddess runner YOU! I'm jealous of the awesome pictures...all you would see in my pictures is probably rain. LOL I'm so happy for you, literly.
Nancy, I am delighted that your first half marathon went so well, and that you experienced beautiful weather, beautiful scenery and the love of your beautiful family. Add in the thrill of accomplishing a goal after months of training, and the support of your many friends and your day sounds just about perfect, except for the bathroom stops. Like the bumper sticker says **it happens ;). Congratulations on a major milestone, and for not having too much foot pain. How do your legs and feet feel today?
Outstanding, I was moved by your blog. YOU DID IT. How about the RNR 1/2 in Phoenix in January, there will be no snow to contend with.
Yay! Congratulations! You worked so hard to get here and it sounds like it was a great experience. I'm so happy for you.
Oh man I am tearing up here! SO proud of you. What an inspiration.
And your family? GOLDEN. Wow, that is some amazing support you have. I'm sure your husband and kids are very proud you belong to them. And vice versa.
Congratulations!!!
And your family? GOLDEN. Wow, that is some amazing support you have. I'm sure your husband and kids are very proud you belong to them. And vice versa.
Congratulations!!!
OOoooooooooh... that brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations!!! You did it!!! I love this report. Love it.
I remember my first marathon and the elite half-marathoners passed me. Aren't they just so beautiful?
I remember my first marathon and the elite half-marathoners passed me. Aren't they just so beautiful?
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Great job. Eating like a king after a long run is the best. Congrats on reaching such an amazing goal.
Congratulations! I am so happy that you had such a great day to knock of your first half.. and I am sure you did it with amazing grace and style. I am well acquainted with GI problems and with any luck at all they don't hit me until after the race. I would say I am so proud of you, but that sounds kind of cheesy. Oh well, I am so proud of you!
Nicely done! How awesome that you have pictures!! Looks like you had a nice day too. And you look so happy. YAY!!
Nancy, your summary is so inspirational and uplifting.
Amy and I were thrilled to be with you on your special day. Now there are a whole new set of goals and rewards and post race experiences to enjoy.
Rest well and enjoy the lasting memory.
Amy and I were thrilled to be with you on your special day. Now there are a whole new set of goals and rewards and post race experiences to enjoy.
Rest well and enjoy the lasting memory.
Nancy CONGRATS!!!!!
What a great race report!
It looked like a pretty run.
Time to sign up for your next one :)
CC
What a great race report!
It looked like a pretty run.
Time to sign up for your next one :)
CC
oh nancy .. this is awesome. i am so happy for you! i love the picture ... your race report was great ... i know that teary feeling. that's the feeling of accomplishment. its' a good one. hang onto it.
Congratulations, Nancy!!! You did it and did it well!!!! I loved your pictures and your reporting about the race - it makes me feel inspired and enthusiastic!!
Great job! What an accomplishment!
Great job! What an accomplishment!
Congratulations Nancy! Way to go! Love your pictures. What an accomplishment. You should be very very proud!
What a wonderful race report. You trained. You ran. You finished!!!! Great job and hope to see plenty more in your near future.
Love all the pics too! Family support is just the best!
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Love all the pics too! Family support is just the best!
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