Fargo recap part 2

My alarm went off a little after 5am, and after laying is bed for a bit, it was time to get going.  I treated this morning like I would any other morning before a long run.  I also surprisingly wasn't upset that it was raining.  There's nothing I could do about the weather, and its not like I had a choice, the race would go on no matter what.  I got myself ready, and sat down to eat my usual breakfast - two pieces of dry toast with a banana in the middle.  I have found that this is perfect on my sensitive stomach and gives me enough energy.  Although, I sadly am NOT able to drink coffee before a morning run/race ( I've had to learn the hard way on that too many times!)  So I made sure to plan on taking my espresso gel early in the race for a caffeine boost.  At about 6:00 we left.  Traffic was backed up super far, so I'm glad we left with plenty of time.  We got to the Fargodome, parked, and went inside to drop off our bags.  I also wanted to take a look at the finish line.


I wanted to see it before it was full of people

 We ended up running into some friends from Red Wing who were also running the half.  We said good luck to each other, and it was time to get lined up.  My plan was to start with the 1:40 pacer (7:38min. pace) and stick with them for the first 2 or so miles then bring my pace down to low 7:30's through the halfway point, then sub 7:30's for the second half and then all out for my last two miles.  In talking with Nichole about my race plan, I told her I was thinking of a 1:40 for a time goal.  She mentioned that I was strong enough for a 1:38 time, maybe even faster.  That was encouraging to hear, so I went with that.  I just had to believe in myself as much as she did.  I had checked my trusty pace chart the night before to get an idea of where I should be at during key points (5k split, 10k split, and 10 mile split) and made sure to remember them.

I found the pace group, and lined up on the front line - I didn't want to get caught in the back since I knew I wouldn't be with them for long.  There was some nervous energy, but for the most part I was excited, I was happy, I was ready to race! The gun went off at 7:30, and I saw Jake and gave a wave.


there I am!


I teared up a little at the start.  I just couldn't believe I was here.  4 months of hard work was paying off and I was feeling awesome.  Nichole had mentioned to me a week prior to start visualizing the race, running smooth, and with a smile on my face, and that exactly what I did.  I swear I was smiling like an idiot the entire time ( well, until about mile 10, but we'll get to that). 

The pacer went out a little fast for my liking ( I think she was doing close to 7:15's??).  I took it upon myself to slow it down.  I knew my goals, and I knew what I needed to be at, so I decided early on to run my own race.  I heard some guys next to me mention what time they were shooting for (1:35), so I decided to stick with them, or at least keep them in my sight.   I was feeling great, my lungs felt good, breathing nice and easy, and my legs felt light and effortless.  I took my first GU at mile 4.5.  There were so many distractions during the race.  Bands every mile, tons of spectators cheering (seriously awesome crowd support!), and the fact that I was running with SO many people definitely made time cruise by.

There were a few "hills" in the course, but comparing them to hills in Red Wing, it was nothing.  I would just tell myself "up and over" and they were a piece of cake.  I did have one moment of panic though, for one of the hills we went under an overpass and my Garmin lost signal, when we came out from under it, I checked my watch only to see my pace somehow go slower and slower.  Oh no!  Was I really going this slow?  Is that why it felt so easy?!  I picked up my pace, and eventually saw it get down to a 6:45 ( too fast!), so I slowed it back to a comfortable 7:20ish. 

I made sure to get water at all of the water stops.  I don't have a ton of experience trying to drink and run, but I think I did pretty well.  I only would take a little sip before tossing my cup, but I never had to slow down and I managed not to choke on water.  Although, on the 3rd water/sports drink stop, I mistakenly grabbed a cup of Poweraide - UGH!  I took one sip without knowing and immediately tossed it, gross!

The first half of the race went by fast, and I tried to bring my pace down the best I could.  At mile 9.5 I took my last GU.  I knew I didn't have much longer to go.  Mile 10 hit, and I started to get tired.  This was the first and ONLY time my mind got negative.  I recognized that my legs were starting to hurt, but I was proud of myself that I shut it down as fast as I could. Now why cant I do that every race?!  It made such a difference, and made me feel strong and in control.  Around mile 11 I noticed the sun started to come out, and I could tell it was getting warmer.  At about mile 12.5 you come down the last straight away before turning to go to the finish.  I didn't know there was going to be a jumbo screen there so to see myself running, so close to finishing was pretty cool.  We turned a corner and I knew I had about an 800m left.  I could do this.  I tried to find another gear and pick it up.  The most awesome thing was that you finish inside the Fargodome.  I ran down the ramp and I saw all of the people, the whole crowd was cheering and I saw myself on the jumbotron.  I also saw the time clock - I could get sub 1:38!  I had to run hard, so I did, and crossed the finish line in 1:37:59, how's that for timing?!  It took my a minute to realize what happened.  I walked to get my medal, and when the woman put it around my neck I started to tear up.  Of course at that moment a race photographer asked to take my picture, so I'm sure my eyes are all puffy :).  I know this is all sounding pretty dramatic, but I will never get the chance to run my first half marathon again, and this is exactly how I pictured it to be like.  The sense of pride you have when you finish something you worked so hard for is awesome.

* if you want to see my finish video you can click here.  I thought the time ended at the first mat not the second.  Had I known I wouldn't have "given up" so early :)  I did get a good laugh though - I'm so dramatic!

So before This get longer than it already is, I'm going to throw down my splits:

I stopped my watch a little late, so my Garmin time is a tad off.

Once I was done I got to watch Nichole finish and WIN the marathon for women.  It was unbelievable watching her come in - such an inspiration.  She wrote a great recap on her blog so go check it out.  After she finished, I watched her husband Nate finish his first marathon (3:20!), and I cheered on Jake to his second marathon finish (3:43!)

Finishers!

There is probably SO much more I can talk about, but I will end this here.  This was absolutely one of the best days - I highly recommend it to everyone :)  I am taking time to recover this week - easy miles, rest days, eating whatever I want, and I even enjoyed a glass of this last night!


oh wine, how I've missed you!

 I will have plenty of hard days ahead of me (and I kind of cant wait!), but until then I will try not to panic if my jeans feel a little snug at the end of the week :)






OH!  and if you wondered why we needed band aids.....here's the reason...


OUCH!  he wont make that mistake again