My 1 Year Run-iversary

In the Spring of 2010 I made a decision to run a race.  A pack was made with a buddy to run the Akron Half Marathon in September of 2010.  Unfortunately, due to a bought with tendinitis.  I was left to prepare and race on my on my own.  Yes, I skipped running a 5Ks and made a half marathon my first race.

Thankfully,  a fellow runner and friend, Angie to gave me advise on how to prepare.  I remember not really knowing what to expect that morning and kind of chuckle every time I think about that day.  I grew up in Akron and was always aware of the "blue-line" that marks the course.  My only real experience with the marathon was seeing a Kenyan in first place by 20 minutes a few times while I was sitting in traffic.  I never considered running in the race as I was never a real fan of running.  I think sometimes its the result of playing team sports while growing up.  As running was routinely used as a punishment and I never associated it with fun.

As I arrived that morning.  I was in awe at how many people were there.  Not only running, but spectators along that route.  The next thing I learned was your bladder shrinks to the size of a pea before you run a race.  I also learned to always look at the flavor before you take a free GU at the aid station.  I grabbed one and slammed it as I thought this was the "right" thing to do.  It was very warm and chocolate.  It tasted like hot chocolate sludge and I darn near threw it up all over the route.

I also remember breaking off from the marathoners at mile 11 and thinking they were absolutely crazy as there was not any way I could run another mile.  I made my way back to the finish, which is located inside Akron Aero stadium.  It was unreal finishing in front of so many people.  This is when I learned what finisher's bling was.  A volunteer tried to give me a medal and I told her I did not run the marathon.  She replied "No silly, half marathoners get one too!"  I spent the rest of the day wearing it proudly everywhere I went.  That afternoon, I was sore.  My ankle was killing me and I vowed never to do that again.  I had done something I had never thought I would do and was quite satisfied.  My time was 2:10:08.  This race was the most fun race I had ever ran and the only one where I had no expectations and didn't even listen to one song while running.   Thankfully, my good friend Angie ran with me and helped me through my first race.

So this year I will be returning a year later much more prepared than I was a year ago and excited to run my first repeat race hoping to improve over last year.  I'm trying to focus on this goal as I had planned on running the full marathon this year, but unfortunately could not get prepared in time.  So, I am trying not to get down about that and remain focused on the positives.  I will be targeting a better time than 2:10:08 and who knows.  Maybe if they run gods are kind, I'll make a run at my PR time of 1:56:03.

Yeah!!! Beer and bling!!!!!

As you all know this was not my last race.  Over the past 12 months I have ran 6 other half marathons.  I went to bed that evening never wanting to run again and awoke the next morning thinking.  Wouldn't it be cool to run a marathon?  I think we all know how that turned out.

BEAL