St. Jude's Country Music Half Marathon 2012

I apologize for posting this so late, but I'm finally sharing about the race that wasn't sub-2, yet still really awesome!

Post-race with Christin!

I'm still not sure how to begin this race recap. Such an unbelievable amount of excitement, frustration, disappointment, and accomplishment can't exactly be tied neatly with a bow for this race. Yes, I'm extremely proud of myself, but I guess I'll just start at the beginning. (Forewarning, this post is extremely long.)

Our clothes all laid out ready for race morning!

Christin and I went to bed around 8PM the night before, so when the 4AM alarm went off, we were well-rested. We had breakfast on the floor, which included peanut butter on whole wheat English muffins and coffee that the concierge set out in time for us to enjoy before leaving the hotel.

Pre-race pictures

Then we walked over to the shuttle buses that would take us to the start of the race. Fortunately, the hotel was walking distance from the finish line, so it would be a somewhat painless excursion back. I ate my banana, and I tried to stay calm as thousands of people filed into line and onto buses. I just kept thinking, "I'm running a half marathon in Nashville with Christin! This is too freaking cool!"

Once we got to the start area, we used the wiggly port-o-potties, stretched, then said goodbye to Christin's hubby who was seeded in a much faster corral. Then we hung out, met a great woman who ended up not doing her best either, and waited for the start.

As soon as the race started, it felt hot, really hot. The humidity was definitely present, and considering it was only 7AM, I knew the heat would work against us. Fortunately, I had heavily hydrated before the race, but that also meant that I needed to pee... (sorry if that's TMI).

From the start, the race was the definition of rolling hills, and just when you'd think you conquered one, another hill would begin. When Christin said this course had rolling hills, I didn't think they would be constant. We made it through the first few miles, but her toe, which turned out to be BROKEN, was holding her back.

At mile 5, we stopped to pee and assess the toe situation. We started up again, but at that point, she said she was going to find a medical tent. I spotted the second two-hour pace group and knew that that was my shot. I gave her a sweaty hug and weaved to catch up with the group. That 9-minute pace was grueling. At this point, I was thirsty to the point that I needed at least three cups of water per station. And when the group disappeared, I was on my own.

Running the half marathon under two hours was out of the question as I watched the pace group charge ahead, and I let my tired body plug along at a 10-minute pace. I ran much slower than normal. I trained hard and fast, and I can run hard and fast, but it just wasn't my day.

The rest of the race I took in the sights. I looked at the places we ran by, felt overwhelmed by the number of spectators cheering on these crazy runners, and I tried to enjoy myself. I came close to crying several times because all I wanted in the world was to cross that finish line and see M.

Sprinting to the finish

When I crossed, I felt like I was going to puke. The finish area was narrow. Too many runners in such a small place when it was that hot was not good. I weaved through, grabbed handfuls of ice and a cold towel. I felt lost, but I just needed to find the "P" where we were meeting.

I bumped into the friend we met on the race course in the beginning, then hurried off to find Christin's hubby and our designated spectator. The relief and happiness I felt when seeing them was indescribable, such familiar faces after two hours of roller coaster emotions.

I don't know if I'll ever run that race again, but I'm glad I finished and shocked it wasn't my slowest time, especially after how hot and hard it was. Overall, the weekend was amazing, and I'm so grateful to Christin and her hubby! They were amazing Southern hosts, and I can't wait to run another race with her!