13.1

Well... I did it!!! I feel like that's the first sentence of a few of these posts, but I guess that's a good thing. Means I've made a few accomplishments!

It all started with "carb-loading" at dinner last night...

We ate at Elizabeth's Pizza. Let me just say, as a pre-run dinner, that was as good as it gets. Maybe the best Alfredo pasta I've ever had. No, I didn't eat the entire plate. Yes, I brought the leftovers home. Can't wait for lunch tomorrow.

Next, we went to Harris Teeter to stock up on breakfast and energy/hydration supplies:

We went to bed around 10, but of course I couldn't fall asleep right away. I read that it was pretty common not to sleep well the night before a race. So of course, 5AM came REAL early. But, we dragged ourselves out of bed, ate breakfast, and got to the start point around 6:15. It was still dark out.

I actually wasn't tired, especially once we got there and saw everyone who was running (turns out it was a total of around 2700 runners). Everyone was excited, and they were playing music over loudspeakers to get us all pumped up. Once we started, we paced ourselves to let all the faster runners ahead of us-- our goal was simply to run the entire time, and we knew we needed to run slower at first to make it through the whole thing.

Here's the route:

The first two miles were down at Wrightsville Beach. As we were between mile 1 and mile 2, we got to run during the sunrise. That was pretty cool.

Jess and I talked most of the time, which made it a lot easier to pass time quickly. By the time we got to mile 5, I honestly couldn't believe we'd been running that long. I also made myself a really great playlist, so having that as an extra motivator was exactly what I needed.

Then, once we got past mile 6, I had to pee SO BAD. There were port-o-potties all along the route, but I really didn't wanna stop. I knew I would have to stop eventually, because there was no way I could run 7 more miles in that state of discomfort. I saw one with no line and made a quick stop. I told Jess to keep running, and I felt so good after that I sprinted for about a half mile to catch up to her. Phew!

By the way- I HIGHLY recommend Sport Beans. They're made by Jelly Belly, and they literally taste exactly like jelly beans. But they're like super beans- with carbs, Vitamin B, C, and electrolytes. I would not have made it without these magic beans!!!! Thank you Jelly Belly!

Here we are at mile 12, almost there!

And finally.... at the Finish Line! It felt great!

It's hard for me to really express how this moment felt. Part of me was relieved to be done, part of me felt like, "Duh, you knew you could do it." I also felt a little emotional, because it was a significant accomplishment for me, and I knew I was doing it in honor of my mom. I knew she would tell me how proud she was of me. I know she was cheering me on.

I wrote this poem about a year and a half ago when I was going through a pretty tough time and running was one of the things I did to get through it and re-build myself. I think it's a good note to end on (although a cheesy one... just call me Sharp Chedda). I feel like it's a good illustration of the relationship I have with running and why this race was not just a physical milestone, but a personal one as well. So... at the risk of feeling like a huge nerd, here it is!

RUN

I begin ready.

Without hesitation or doubt --

though I don't expect it to be easy.

Nonetheless I am prepared.

It's just me.

the wind hits my face

my hair is back

no distractions from what's right in front of me

I am strong.

my heart is strong

my pace is just right

not too fast or slow

just as fast as I want to go

I have the whole world to myself

I like it that way

the only thing I'm certain of

is myself

Each time, I see the beauty around me

with fresh eyes

and it makes me free again.

the best part is halfway

I may be tired,

but I've made it this far.

now I know I'm at least thing strong

strong enough to finish

and though I'm halfway done

there's still that much more to enjoy

What happiness and strength.

it's as close as I've come to flying

I have wings, I just have to use them

I know there are inclines ahead

but they do not discourage me

I have seen hills before.

No hurry.

Just trying is enough

and the sweet, sweet finish

to reflect

to revel in that feeling

to be at peace - burning peace

that extinguishes other unimportant thoughts

my heart pounds

like the rapid rhythm of a drum

I am truly me.

alone with myself

indulged in my own soul

here is peace

here is freedom

here is strength

and bravery

here is love

Never lose me again.

5.04

This might be one of my favorite routes I've run so far. I started from Jessica's house near Cameron Village and ran down her street (Van Dyke St), up to Meredith, back through the neighborhoods behind Hillsborough, and down St Mary's back up behind Cameron Village. The houses on Van Dyke are so pretty - they're all different, and they're a little older. I love neighborhoods like that. It was also the warmest temperature for a run yet- it was 80 degrees yesterday! I hope it's here to stay.

I just got to Wilmington a few hours ago-- I can't believe the half marathon is tomorrow!!!! It seems like it's still so far away from actually happening. Jessica and I drove down this afternoon and just checked into the hotel. Here's the view from our room:

We went to the Expo to pick up our Registration packets at this hotel called Shell Island. There were a lot of people there- I think there are 2400 runners total. We picked up these Sport Bean packets- they're made by Jelly Belly, and they taste just like jelly beans, but they give you the same kind of energy as a Goo pack. (I've never had a Goo pack, but Jessica said the beans taste way better.) It was really cool to see everyone who was coming in for the race. I got pretty excited!

I am a little nervous, though. I've taken it really easy today, and I'm gunna make sure I stretch a lot tonight. I could feel my knee and IT band smarting a little this week and during the 10 miler, so I'm a little worried it's gunna bother me tomorrow. I don't want anything like that to keep me from actually finishing the run.... I swear I'll be so pissed if my knee acts up tomorrow.

We're hanging out in the room now, trying to figure out where we gunna go for pasta tonight. Then we're going to get our breakfast for tomorrow- bagels with peanut butter and bananas, and some Smart Water- and we'll be calling it a night, I guess! Wow. This time tomorrow... I will have run the longest distance I've ever run in my life - 13.1 miles.

Wish me luck!

5.56

Phew! I was like a zombie running.... man, I'm tired. I haven't been getting quite as much sleep as I probably should be, but I really think that 10 mile run on Sunday wore me out. Damn.

At least it's nice out. The flowers are blooming everywhere, it was light out til almost 8:15 or so, can't really complain. Thank god my legs could do the work my mind didn't want to...

Gearing up for the big run this weekend... time to go get my Gatorade on and eat some chicken.

10.1

Yup. I did it. I honestly thought this day was a long way off, like something you talk about but don't ever really expect to happen. But it did! And honestly... it wasn't so bad.

I ended up going to the UNC-Duke game on Sunday too (poor Heels), and was pretty worn out when I got back to Chapel Hill. I felt bad, because I'd made plans to run with Callie, but I bailed to take a nap for a while instead. I slept for about an hour, and finally got myself ready to run around 6:30 or so.

The one great thing about daylight savings time is that it stays light out longer. So I got to enjoy a little more daylight for this run than I was expecting. I ran through Carrboro first, looped around to Merritt Mill and Cameron, down by the hospitals, then finished up with the Gimghoul loop and a couple miles through campus and down MLK.

It took me about an hour and 45 minutes to run the whole thing. I think that's a pretty decent time. I'm hoping to do the half marathon in 2.5 hours, or maybe a little less, so I feel like my pace is on track to meet that time. It was warm out, I could wear shorts and a tshirt, and I just ran. I enjoyed it-- I felt strong, but not like I was killing myself. There were a few times when I felt my knee hurting because of my IT band, but I just made myself run through it carefully. I got a little out of breath a couple times, but I never felt like I needed to stop. I had my CamelBak (thanks Schwei!) filled up with Trader Joe's Smart Water, so that was a big help to keep me going.

I've let myself be a little lazy here at the beginning of this week. Monday I knew I wanted to rest and give my legs a chance to catch up, and today I ended up catching dinner with my Uncle who I don't see very often. But I'm tired, I want to relax. I know I will run tomorrow.

Gotta get a couple 5-milers in, and then Saturday Jess and I will drive down to Wilmington. Can't believe it's already race week. It feels like it went by so fast.

5.04

Meh. Did it. Wasn't tough, but my legs were sore. Kinda lazy tonight, gunna go get some grub and watch some tv.

Headed to the ACC tourney tomorrow!!!!

5.09

Ran 5 around the neighborhood (at Dad's) last night. It was a little chillier than Monday. Felt ok throughout the whole run, although I think I had a faster pace since I wanted to get it over with and meet Dad and Kelly for dinner. This particular route was a little more difficult than what I'm used to, because there are a lot more hills around the 'hood.




I noticed my ankle was hurting a little bit, and the knees were still a bit sore from Monday's 8 mile run. I need to be stretchin!!!

Me and Callie are doing hot yoga tonight, I'm excited about that. It's been too long since my last yoga class.

8.05

YES!!! I did it!

Wouldn't have made it without Callie there to help me stay motivated. We had a great route through Carrboro, down Manning, up through campus, down to the Gimghoul loop, then back around Cameron to Franklin and down MLK. It seemed so much colder outside earlier today. Maybe it was just my mentality- I was exhausted and I really didn't want to run. I didn't think I was gunna make it.

But once I was out there and running, and I felt pretty good. We kept a good pace, getting a little faster as the run went on. I had the CamelBak on, even though I honestly didn't feel like I needed it. (I'm drinking what I didn't drink on the run right now.)

The best part was when Callie told me we'd run 7 miles, and I got so excited because I knew I could do one more mile, no problem. Even when we stopped at 8 miles, I still felt like I could've run longer. But Callie and I decided that we should conserve since we're running 5 miles tomorrow.

I have to say I'm proud of myself. I've stuck with it, and even if I don't run every single tenth of a mile or even if I don't run on schedule, I've always gotten it done. I've also balanced my social life and work life with a regular workout schedule. It's great to finally feel like I have a grip on my routine while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle. (Callie and Elisabeth tease me and tell me this blog should really be called "DrinkStauceRun"....)

Time to get rested for 5 miles tomorrow.