Monday, May 12, 2008

Big Lake 1/2 Marathon

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The short version:

Yay! We did it! I did it! I finished a half marathon – I ran 13 miles and lived to tell about it!



The long version: (and I won’t be offended if you skip this—it’s mostly for myself to look back on in the future and track my many improvements:)

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The good stuff:
-It was a beautiful run—winding along Lake Winnipesauke
-The weather was beautiful
-It was so cool to be one of over 1500 runners

The mistakes:
-I wore a long sleeved light weight capilene shirt and long pants (I thought it was going to be cold, raw and perhaps rainy but it cleared up and we had lots of sun and fair weather)
-I didn’t wear my fuel belt (I thought 8 drink stations would suffice)
-I didn’t train seriously enough

The stuff working against me:
-I was cursing my Reeve gene (the one that makes me sweat like a fat man in a sauna and makes my body temperature run hotter than most people at any given moment of the day or night.)
-The race was in the mountains, which means that I was running uphill at least half of the time
-I was running into the wind the first few miles and then the wind died leaving nothing to cool me off

The stuff I’m thanking the Maker for:
-Gu
-The people at mile 9 who lovingly gave me a 17 oz. bottle full of ice cold water and probably saved my sorry life
-That my sweet husband was there waiting for me at the end and somehow had the strength to let me lean on him while I walked

The stuff I learned:
-Wear as few clothes as possible. When we got there, I was all chilly and I was looking around at all these people in these tiny shorts and tank tops and I was wondering what the heck they were thinking. Somewhere along mile 3 I came to the understanding that they were much smarter than me.

-I dehydrate quickly. Even though I thought 8 drink stations would be plenty, now I know that I need to be sipping water the entire time. I couldn’t picture it before, because I had never been in a race, but now I know: you’re running and some people are gathered together with paper cups with about a half a cup of water in it. You grab it as you’re going by, take a mouthful and drop it in the trashcan and then you’re done for another mile and a half or so. It takes all of 10 seconds. That’s just not enough for this body.

-Runners apparently don’t care if they get their cups in the trash can. I was so surprised to see hundreds of cups all over the ground. I guess the volunteers are used to it and know that’s part of their job – to pick up all the cups littered on the run. I couldn’t do it. I had to carefully put it in to the proper receptacle. In fact, there were parts where the wind threatened to blow the cups into the Lake, so I was stepping on all the cups as I ran so they wouldn’t blow as easily. Silly, I know, but I couldn’t stop myself from caring.

-The people in the back (which is where I ended) are much nicer than the people in the front (which is where I started). Their goals are different: personal best/competitive vs. finish the race – just please let me finish! The people in the back were all congratulating each other and talking to each other even though we were strangers. “You’re doing a great job!” “this is farther than I’ve ever run before!” “Congratulations!”

-I would rather run the 13 miles again than be as sick as I was after the race was over. When we got on the bus that took us back to our cars, something snapped and my body revolted. For the next 3 hours I was wishing for unconsciousness. In these pictures you see here, I was pretending to be happy. Really I wanted to puke my insides out and die. I didn’t want Matt and Liz to worry about me, but I guess they worried anywayJ I knew Jake would worry enough, he knows the many flaws that my body has to work with all too well. History suggests that if something can go wrong, it probably will with me, so as I was catatonic on the bed in my sweaty clothes and salty body, he was surfing the net to see what he needed to do for me. So sad and embarrassing, but it is what it is. Sigh.

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-I would do it again utilizing what I’ve learned and now I can cross something new off my life list/mondo beyondo list. Yay me!

16 comments:

the wrath of khandrea said...

my husband got mad at me last night because i was whining on our bed about why can't i be more like brittany... and he said "i don't even know brittany, but you are fine the way you are." and i cried, "but she is so good at everything!" the poor man was completely lost.

this is actually a true story. hope it doesn't weird you out too much.

Unknown said...

well, then this post should make you feel better. I'm certainly not good at running half marathons. And I'm positive that there are MANY things that you are better than me at. Besides, you're going off my blog which maybe I accidentally somehow make into a facade of good at everything-ness. maybe I'll make a post of all the stuff that drives people nuts about me and you can print it out and give it to skip as a reference so the next time you have that conversation he will know exactly how to make you feel better.

Jessi said...

Congratulations!! I'm currently expecting our 5th child and plan on training for a 1/2 marathon after she is born. (I figure that after 5 kids this body may need something extreme to get it back in shape.) I've run a few 5K's and a 10K, but I am not a runner and am terrified of the goal ahead of me. Thanks for sharing both the good and the "what I would do differently" about your experience. You've inspired me. Even if it's hard, I can do it! (And hopefully by learning from your experience I can avoid some of the pain.)

calibosmom said...

You goober! I knew you felt like crap and I worried about you all day. I kept telling Matt, "maybe we should call and check on Britt. No, Jake will call if she has to go to the hospital". AHHH!!! Well, I'm glad you're ok and next time (yes, we will do it again), we'll be better prepared. Way to go sista!

Rebecca said...

Congrats!! It's a great feeling to know you can run that far - even when you don't consider yourself a runner. I haven't run the 1/2 yet but I remember the first time I ran 10 miles. I was more than amazed at myself and felt like maybe - just maybe - I could even run a full marathon (ha ha - first I need the desire!). Now if I could just get my husband to train with me:)

Mindy said...

this is so inspiring! congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment...you totally rock in my book. p.s. happy mothers day to you to

Anonymous said...

I am SO proud of you! I am proud of your body for not letting you down - you made it! I am proud of your intention and effort and I am proud of Jake for taking such good care of you afterward. You are a good little bean. xoxo

Clair said...

Excellent! Isn't such a relief to get that first big race over with and know that YOU CAN DO IT! I always die after my races. Everyone else is laughing and having a great time and I always secretly want to DIE. It's not easy for me. I, too, can't believe how people can just throw their cups on the ground. I always throw them in the trash can, too, and will stop to drink just so I don't run past them and make sure they go where they belong. I guess that happens when it's not about the time, just the experience, right? Anyway, long comment, but just wanted to say congrats and you rock!!!!!!!

Wendy said...

Congratulations!! So you ran the whole 13 miles?? That's incredible Britt. It almost makes me want to run a 1/2 marathon (emphasis on the word ALMOST). You look so good in the pics, I would have never guessed that you were just sweating like a banchy. :)

Paige said...

Yup- you are amazing. I'm training to RUN my first 1/2 marathon- I've run/walked one before and it hurt. A lot. I've been training with a group since Feb. and we are up to six miles, and it's sheer torture. And I haven't lost a lb. Our race is in SF Aug. 3. I may die.

Kara said...

Yay YOU! Yay YOU! Yay YOU!

Dallas and Krista said...

I am so PROUD of you!!!!! Way to go- YOU did it!!!!!! I am smiling from ear to ear for you! :)

Kelly(M&M) said...

Hi Brittany,

I am sure I just one of many blog stalkers but I wanted to say congrats!! I am Suzie Petunia's running partner and have read your blog for a while. Your creativity and artistic abilities amaze me. Now I am impressed with your ability to train for a half marathon. Great job! The great thing about races is that you learn something from each one. I loved this blog and hope you will share many more experiences. We would love to have you join us at Marathon Mommies if you are interested. Email Sarah if you are. Congrats again!!

Emily said...

WOW! Congratulations! That is so awesome that you finished a half marathon! Way to go! You look so great in the pics. I would have never guessed that you wanted to throw up. Yay for you!!! Much Love!!

jenica said...

YAY! you did it! a.MA.zing congratulations.

i would totally be the one puking at mile 7.

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