I’m going to be honest with you guys, I have no idea where to start with this recap. I have so many emotions and thoughts about my half marathon yesterday that I have no clue as to where to begin.
So, I’ll begin by giving thanks to every one of you who texted, commented, emailed, Facebooked or Twittered me and wished me good luck and congratulated me after the race.
I am so lucky to have so many people that care about me and my running endeavors. It gave me the warm and fuzzies all weekend long.
I woke up the morning of the race feeling a bit panicked. Although we’d had lots of fun over the weekend, it wasn’t exactly the kind of fun that was conducive to preparing for a long-distance race.
But I was still up and at ‘em by 5:30 a.m. and ready to see what I could do out there.
I wasn’t hungry and my stomach was queasy, so I just drank coffee and a glass of water and nibbled on a banana.
Then the bf and I headed out to take the shuttle over to the start line – only to get there and realize I’d forgotten my iPod in the hotel room. Doh!
We rushed back and got it and still managed to make it to the start with about 10 minutes to spare, but it was quite chaotic at the time.
I was in the last corral because I used my marathon pace when I signed up and not my half marathon pace, so I was really antsy watching everyone else take off.
Finally it was my turn and I darted out into the roads.
I didn’t feel like I was going that fast, but when I got to the first mile marker and it said 9 minutes I knew I was in trouble (my average pace is an 11:30 min/mile).
The thing is, I don’t wear any sort of timing device when I run, so I had no idea what I was pacing until I came to the mile markers.
Still, I felt really good for the first five miles or so. The scenery was really interesting and the weather was pretty good (albeit a little hot and windy).
After the second water stop, I had to stop for a bathroom break. I had promised myself I wouldn’t stop, but running with a full bladder is just not pleasant.
Thankfully it went pretty fast, and I was back to running in no time. Not thankfully, my stomach was upset with “digestive issues” pretty much the entire remainder of the run. Ick.
Shortly after that I spotted my family and the bf for the first time. I was so excited to see them!
So excited, in fact, that I threw up some spirit fingers.
Up until this point, the course had been really hilly and it was starting to really wear me out (especially since I had been pacing too fast). Everyone had told me that the hills died down after the sixth mile, so I just kept waiting for that relief.
Well, everyone lied. The course was so freaking hilly. It never stopped. I was immensely underprepared for that kind of terrain.
I pressed on until about mile 7.5, and then the most horrific thing happened.
First, I saw a fire truck pull up along side the course and stop. I figured someone had passed out, but didn’t see any commotion, so I kept running.
About a quarter of a mile later, I noticed a huge cluster of people in the distance.
As I neared the huddle, I saw a man with his shirt off and another man trying to resuscitate him. Everyone gathered around looked as if they’d seen a ghost.
I slowed to a walk and stared at the scene in horror. I don’t know how I knew, but I knew that the man was dead.
It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t fathom that I was going to continue running.
But I knew I had to keep going, and gawking at the scene wasn’t going to help anyone.
My spirit was broken, and I stopped really caring about anything but finishing.
I walked a lot. I was kind of in a daze.
At mile 10 I saw my family again. This time, no spirit fingers.
I was attempting to be funny in that picture actually, but I really did want to just quit and have them take me home.
My heart just wasn’t really in the race anymore.
The next three miles to the finish were terrible. It was an out and back and it felt like the out part went on for days.
I thought I’d never make it. I walked the majority of the 1.5 mile stretch out.
Finally, I reached the turning point, stopped at the water station and tried to just focus all my energy on getting to the finish line.
About half a mile later, I spotted my running buddy up ahead! It was exactly the adrenaline rush I had needed.
I sprinted to catch up with her and ran another quarter mile with her and her friend. It was so good to see a familiar face.
That was after the race, but the only applicable picture I have.
After I caught up with her and we chatted for a bit I decided to take off and just get the damn thing over with.
I was so happy to be done I could have cried. I probably would have if I hadn’t been so numb and exhausted, both mentally and physically.
I didn’t throw up like I did last time, so I considered the race a success and went to find my people.
I was so happy that they came to support me. It was the best feeling knowing that they cared and were there for me.
I left the race feeling somewhat accomplished. The course was outrageously tough, and I got through it injured and undertrained.
Still, I felt nowhere near the sense of elation and motivation that I’d felt after my last half marathon.
I was still freaked out by the death of a fellow runner and upset with myself for having to walk.
I wasn’t even going to check my time because I knew it wasn’t going to be faster than my last half marathon, but curiousity got the better of me.
And guess what? I PRed.
My official chip time was 2:30:06.
My time at the last race was 2:35:19.
I was flabbergasted. It made no sense.
This race was harder. I was injured. I walked… A lot.
How in the hell did I PR?
My first instinct was to just write it off as a fluke, but now that I’ve slept on it I realize that I have a lot to be proud of and thankful for after this race.
I proved to myself that I can make it through a difficult race.
I realized that I can be a better/faster runner if I want to be.
I learned that life is fragile, and being able to complete any race and walk away healthy is an amazing blessing.
After my last race, all I could think about was when I was going to run my next one.
Not this time. I think I need a break. I need to really assess what it is I want from running and make sure I completely heal up my leg.
I’m really looking forward to a few weeks without running.
Sorry this recap wasn’t extremely motivational, or even well-written. Like I said, I feel so many things about the race that I have no idea how to articulate it.
Maybe it will come to me later.
But thanks again so much to everyone for your support!
Wow, I’m so sorry you had to see the man. How horrible. I wonder if it was ever on the news–prob in Tulsa, not here though..
Good job for finishing AND pring.
First, congrats to you!
I can’t believe you saw that man. That had to have been terrible. I don’t know if I could have kept on going. I am so proud of you!
Wow. Congrats on finishing, and setting a new PR. That’s amazing.
I am so sorry about that man. I don’t even know what to say, it must have been devastating.
OMG! I read about that on Fox News last night and was PRAYING you didn’t hear about it at the race and then to actually see it?!?!?! I’m so sorry, Sissy!!
I’m super proud of you for your training so hard all season long despite your injury and making a PR!! Congrats!!
Congrats on finishing such a tough race! I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like to go through all that while running a half marathon. You are awesome.
Oh my goodness, what a tragedy, that poor man and his family.
I am so proud of you and your PR! You rock lady and are an inspiration to us all. Congrats!
Enjoy your break from running- it’s well deserved!
But I’m so sorry you had to see what you did- I’m not quite sure how I would have been able to handle that. You did a good job pushing through and not letting it mess with your mind! How awful!
I read about that but never made the connection to you being in the same race–that would freak me out.
What freaks me out in a good way is that you have come so freaking far in the year-ish I’ve been reading your blog. (I don’t always comment.) I can’t believe you run like you do and even though you don’t need me to tell you this (duh), you should be SO so proud.
I would go pamper my ass and milk this post-run PR thing for a few days
First off, congratulations to you for your PR and your mental and physical toughness. You did it girl!
I know that everything leading up to the race and the scene you witnessed during the race must have been draining. It’s not easy stuff and I’m so sorry it happened! Please be extra kind to yourself these next few days. I am sure there is something to be taken from all of this and hopefully time will help make it clear.
I’m so proud of you though and I think you are pretty damn strong Kacy!
Congrats on PRing it!! I don’t think I would have been able to complete it after seeing that man. Too many deaths in my family the past few years. I know those memories would have flooded me. I wish my co-worker had been in town because we wanted to do this one! We already have a couple work relay teams for the OKC Marathon, but we want to do a couple others to get us ready!
I read about the guy that passed away. Heartbreaking.
You did great and you should be proud of yourself! You are a beast. You rocked it, woman!
The hills on that route did scare me a lot!
Holy crap! Talk about intense! I don’t know that I could have continued with the race after seeing a body on the road – props to you for finishing!!
And even more impressive, a PR! You should be so proud of yourself, that is a huge accomplishment. Hope you’re getting some rest today!
Congrats girl! You did it, AND you PR’d!! That’s great. So sorry you had to witness a tragedy though. That is so sad.
Good job on pushing through and finishing. You are awesome!
Omg, that would have been a horrible sight to see. Sorry you have to witness that.
On a brighter note, congratulations on beating your time!! Guess you never know how a race is going to turn out, huh? For being such a hilly and tough race, yo did AWESOME! Be proud, super proud.
Is that your bf with you in the pic? If so you guys are super cute! I am so so so soooo proud of you!
You are capable of anything!
Yes it is
Thank you!
Congrats on finishing and on the PR, girl!!
Did you ever find out what happened to him?
And I’m so sorry you had to witness that horrific event
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Aw, that is so sad and tragic. How horrifying! Despite the sadness, you should be proud of yourself. You did so well! Congrats on the PR and enjoy your running break
Wow, I’m so sorry you saw that. It would be so hard to keep going after something like that. Horrible. In other news, congrats on the PR and awesome race! I plan on enjoying a nice running break also!
Wow that is a crazy day…..so sorry for that man, but so happy for you!!!! Congratulations!!!
That is so sad about the man
Congratulations to you!!!
Showsa, sounds like an intense time. Congrats on the PR though! You don’t give yourself enough credit for that. It’s awesome!
I saw on the news today that a man died in the race, and was heartbroken…so sorry you had to witness that.
You are amazing to continue on, to finish and PR (!!). Congrats to you on the awesome finish – even if you weren’t feeling it, you clearly were kicking ass. :0)
~Les
Wow, I can’t even imagine the emotional drain of that race girl. So seriously, congratulations to you for finishing that and also how exciting to see the bf make his appearance on the bloggie!
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wow – what a recap.
that is so sad about the runner. I’ve heard of that happening in other races, but (thankfully) have never seen it in person.
Congrats on running and finishing and making a new PR!
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A much over due congratulations on a great race! Like you said you’re much tougher and faster than you previously thought. That was sad to read about the runner!
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Not sure how i came across your blog, but I’m glad i did!!! I run an average pace of 11:30 (sometimes even about 12minute miles!) and I LOOOOVE that you do, too!!!! Sorry to hear about such an hard racing experiencing… what you encountered here has always been a fear of mine. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions
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