My Second Half Marathon Recap

It’s been about a month since I finished my second half marathon, so I thought I may as well do a little recap. (you can also read a little bit about how I fueled for the race here) Truthfully, I have feelings of satisfaction mixed with a little bit of regret.

Putting Together the Thoughts

I mean I’ve been thinking about the recap before I even began the race.

I thought about it as my sister and I drove to Lincoln to pick up our packets and as we painted our nails and chatted and giggled the night before in our hotel room.

I thought about it as we were waiting at the starting line for thirty-two long minutes, taking tons of selfies.

I thought about it while I was running, making an attempt to remember every detail about how I was feeling.

I thought about it as I caught up with my sister at mile 11. What are the chances of finding someone in a race with thousands of other participants?

I thought about it while I grinningly crossed the finish line.

I thought about it as we took photos and then hobbled the mile walk back to our car.

I thought about it as I pulled on my compression socks the next couple of days and as I sat in a bath filled with epsom salts in an attempt to get my sore muscles to relax.

Truthfully, I don’t have any words of wisdom like I thought I would.

Satisfaction Mixed with Regret

I’m a little sad looking at the race results (that I wasn’t even going to post) especially in comparison to my first half marathon. I mean I knew I was going to go slow; I of course developed a cold (or allergies?) in the week leading up to the race that made it pretty hard to breathe. I had also planned on staying with my sister who had injured her knee a couple of months previous at the Leprechaun Chase 10K.

I know I didn’t train super hard like I wanted to. I made one too many excuses to not head to the gym. It was also super snowy in the early spring here in Minnesota and I didn’t muster up the courage to run in the slushy stuff like I could have. I do regret not buckling down a little harder.

But…it’s over! I’m healthy, not injured and I can say I completed my second half marathon.

And I can try harder next time.

a few Takeaways From My Second Half Marathon:

• It’s super fun running a race with a friend (or sister) when you can joke or giggle together at the funny signs such as:
  • Run faster, he just farted.
  • You’re almost there. (at mile 1)
  • Zombies don’t take drink breaks. (with a picture of Rick from The Walking Dead!)
  • Worst parade ever.
  • Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.

• Seeing a person with a box of Kleenex after miles of sniffling snot is probably the best feeling ever. I think I told that person I loved him or her.
• I’m super grateful I didn’t push myself and end up injured.
• The crowd at this race is the best I’ve ever experienced.
• It’s really fun to be able to run full force at the end of a race (because you walked the last two miles with your sister).
• I need to do more cross-training AND weight training to support my running.
• I’m so SO proud of my sister for finishing her first half marathon!!
• I can’t believe I’m signed up for ANOTHER half marathon for later this year! (yeah. I’m a tad nuts! So is my sister!)

 

Other posts you may enjoy:

13.1 Tips for Your First Half Marathon

Running for Newbies: Race Day Etiquette

Leprechaun Race Confessions

Race Day Pressure

What I Learned at My First 10K Race

First Race Ever: 5K Midnight Run (2011!)

So tell me…have you ever run a long distance race? How did it go? Can you relate to my mixed feelings of regret and satisfaction? What’s the funniest race sign you’ve seen?

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