Ran a Half Marathon Yesterday! my first ever race!

Yesterday I proudly completed Grandad's Half Marathon in Lacrosse Wisconsin in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

I'm in the burgundy shorts.

It was my first race ever. I had never run more then two miles before I signed up for this, but my friends encouraged me to do it. The training wasn't too bad, mostly because I slacked and skimped on the training regiment. I never ran more then 8 miles before doing the actual race, and that was only once. Usually I ran like four or five miles at a time. I certainly learned a lot from this experience, and came out with a great deal of respect for those that run events like this.

Learning Curve

I really knew nothing about running or events like these, so I was pretty green yesterday. For one, I didn't pick up my race packet the day before, so I had to scramble in the morning and beg them for one. Two, I didn't buy running shoes and instead wore basketball sneakers for the entire race. Three, I had no concept of pacing and flew the first few miles, which bit me in the ass later. Four, I drank way too much water at the refueling stations and nearly threw up as a result, and five, I didn't engage in enough chaffing measures, so I have some raw areas today.

I also underestimated how difficult it was going to be. I knew it would be hard, but it was just excruciating. My legs felt like jello the last 4 miles, and my entire being wanted to do nothing, but quit. I had such grand expectations that I could just put my mind over body and keep clipping at a good pace, but to the degree I envisioned it, that was false. I was however, very happy with my time and still impressed myself.

The experiance

It was the most fun being a part of everything. Running it with friends, the pre race nerves. Seeing all the different people participating and the hundreds of people cheering all the racers on. That was probably one of the coolest things, it was such a community event. I also loved after the race, they provided us with free beer and brats! Also the sorest I have ever been in my life. It took me a minute to walk down a flight of stairs yesterday.

I don't expect I will ever be doing a race like this again. Certainly 5k's or 8k's will be in the mix, but 13.1 miles.....I don't think that's in the stars for me again. Also hats off to anyone who runs a full marathon or more, you are some crazy people.