So
last week was finally the big week for my first half marathon. It was kind of
crazy! The entire week, I closely read over the race guidelines, where to pick
my packet up, what I would need to bring, where I would need to go, when the
roads would start to shut down, where the water and pit stops were, what the
course looked like ect. Since this was an international race that involved
crossing from Michigan to Canada, and back my biggest concern was getting
stopped at the border. The materials for the race cautioned runners on carrying
liquids across the border. I have a hydration belt that I bought at the
beginning of my training that fit my passport, and GU packs that I was planning
on bringing, and did ultimately. As the days leading up to the marathon got
closer, my nerves set in. I had been sick for about 6 weeks leading up to the
race, and my training was cut short. The longest I run I had gotten up to was 9
miles prior to race day. I had done a few 6-mile runs in the couple of weeks
leading up to it. Along with circuit classes a few times a week. I had read
that strength training is good for endurance and injury prevention, and I have
to believe it is true with how the race actually went! So two days prior to
race day I ventured to downtown Detroit, to pick up my race packet. I went
alone, which was fine. I enjoying doing things on my own. It also allows me to
wander, take my time, and talk to random people. (I know I should use caution
with this, and I do, don’t worry!!) So I get to the Health Expo to collect my
packet. I wander around looking at all the gear, and food, and promoters for
upcoming races. I stumbled upon one booth for 3:16 athletic wear. Which I have
seen online before. They sell dri-tech clothing with bible scriptures on them.
On any normal day, I would have never bought anything from them, (because I am
WAY to cheap), but something caught my eye. There was a shirt that had the
verse 40:31 on it. Which if you are not familiar with it, says, “but those who hope
in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Which was
one of the verses my mom would say over and over while my dad was sick before
he passed. It may have been in his memorial card thing (whatever they are
officially called), as well. I talked to the man in the booth for a few
minutes, and told him my story, and why this verse had meant so much. He told
me a few stories as well, and that he was 5-time iron man competitor, and that
his family had volunteered for the relief stations at some iron man events. The
one thing he said, that keeps playing in my mind is that during these events
participants become so physically and mentally exhausted that sometimes all
that’s left is God. I would soon have a little taste of what that was like. So
fast-forward 2 days. Sunday (way too earlier in the morning), my husband is
driving us downtown to race. (I raced alone, but he was an amazing supporter).
I am being my spastic self, messing with the radio, listening to Gospel chorus,
and ghetto rap music in bumper-to-bumper traffic. My husband is calm as a calm,
and I am trying not to pay attention to the traffic. But in all of the cars
around us are people in their running gear, and cars displaying stickers of
running distance and achievement. I point and yell, RUNNERS! Yay! My husband
shakes his head. So we finally get through the traffic, and park. It is still
pitch black, and freezing! We walk to the corrals, and ALLL the way to the end
where I was starting. I was one of the last waves because of my slow pace time.
So they announce that we need to line up, and I give my hubby my outer sweats,
and one last hug before I line up. He looks at me and says, “Don’t cry.” I look
back and say, “I’m not gonna cry, this is a run, I wont get emotional.” So as I
line up and wait the 20 minutes to run, I am looking all around me, taking
everything in. There are so many people, so many conversations, and lots of
tall buildings. As I got closer to the starting line and could finally see the
countdown for our wave to go, I got a little teary eyed… No tears though! So
the first few miles were pretty cool. There were lots of people holding signs,
and cheering on their friends and family. As I approached the Ambassador Bridge
there were lots of border patrol, and cars waiting to cross the boarder. A lot
of them honked and waved, and cheered as the runners passed. Mile 3 on the
bridge! This mile was far less scary than I had anticipated. On a normal basis,
I hate crossing bridges in the car. But this was surprisingly okay. The water
looked beautiful as the sun was coming up. I didn’t get too close to the sides,
and crossed with ease. While in Canada there were bands, and radio stations
playing music. There was also another amazing view of the water, and the
Detroit skyline. As I kept running, I thought I am really doing this, this is
amazing.. So as I approached mile 7, the underwater mile back to Michigan a
woman began running along side of me. She said, “This is so awesome, I haven’t
stopped running this whole time. I think Im going to slow my pace in the
tunnel.” I turned to her and asked, what heat were you in. It was a heat that
released a few waves ahead of me. At that point I knew I was doing well, and
was going to finish under my goal time of 3 hours. I had started after this
woman, and had taken a 10-15 minute potty break because the lines were so long,
and walked a little, and we were in the same place. So now I am in the tunnel,
it is hot, and gross, and honestly creepier than being above the water. I
literally just prayed throughout this whole stretch, and ran as fast as my legs
would take me. I could not have gotten out of their fast enough. While I was
running I noticed the back of someone else’s shirt. It told the story of how
she had lost weight, and trained and was here. I congratulated her on her
accomplishment as I passed. I thought, we all have a story, and run for a
reason. Once I got to the other side, I could breathe, and I was over half way
done!! In the next few miles, there seemed to be an eerie silence. Crowds of
runners were getting tired, and all the shouts of excitement, and family
members with signs had grown strangely dim. As we hit mile 10, I shouted to the
half marathoners, we only have a 5k left, let’s finish strong… This energy
quickly diminished as I pushed on. Just after mile 11 I could hear a group of
men talking to each other. One of them was hitting their wall, and wanting to
give up. His friends encouraged him that they were almost done, and he couldn’t
quit now. As I passed them, one of them read the verse on the back of my shirt.
And repeated, “we will run and not grow weary.” I turned around and cheered
them on, and said God give us strength! I prayed a lot during this race, and
asked for strength to push on. I gave thanks for the ability to be able to run,
and the blessings of all of my family and friends that had supported me throughout
it all. At mile 12, I started to realize that I should have ingested another
gel pack, but knew I was so close to the end that there would be real food, and
didn’t want to take one. I pushed on. I could see the final divider that split
the full marathoners from the half marathoners, to the 13-mile finish. Once I
turned the last corner, I could see the finish line, and all of the balloons. I
told myself, just keep running, but my legs were so tired. For a brief second,
I slowed to a walk, and someone in crowd shouted, “You’re gonna walk now, the
finish is right there. Keep running!” So I gathered what energy was left and
sprinted toward the finish. I finally made it! 13.1 freaking miles! As I
finished, we were handed tin foil looking cover-ups, along with food! I heard
my husband call my name. I walked to him and gave him a hug over the barricade.
It was such an amazing moment! All the doubt, and worry, and nervousness were
gone. I was tired, hungry and cold! The only thing left was the strength God
had given me and the love of my husband. It was an amazing feeling. It was
something I would do everyday if I could! It was such an awesome experience,
and I can not wait to do it again!! So this is the story of my first long run.
With lots more to come! I have already signed up for another one in a couple of
weeks. The joy and excitement that this run gave me, is hard to explain, or put
into words. But it is definitely something I can not wait to experience again!
