Race Report - Stillwater Half Marathon

Saturday, May 28th - Race Day Eve
I spend the majority of the day preparing for the race. Packet pickup, driving the race course, soaking in the spa at the gym, near constant checking of the weather forecast, packing my race bag, pinning my race number to my shirt, tying my race chip to my shoe, finalizing my Marathon Mix (which will end up being more critical than I could have known), eating only foods I am certain will not cause stomach problems the next morning, setting my alarm for an INSANELY early hour and finally - sleep.

Sunday, May 29 - RACE DAY!!!
4:45 AM
Yes, I actually got out of bed at 4:45 AM - I can't believe it either.  30 minutes later we are in the car and headed toward the Stillwater Area High School where a shuttle bus will drive me to downtown Stillwater to start the race. When we arrive I have Chris drop me off by the Biffs - while I'm not crazy about public, portable bathrooms I'm also ridiculously afraid of having to go to the bathroom during a race.  As I head toward the line I realize I did not grab my sunglasses out of the car which is now driving slowly away from me on its way to the local McDonald's.  I run frantically toward the car waiving my arms as it continues to speed up and away from me.  I am finally successful in getting my husband's attention and with my sunglasses in hand I get in line to use the Biffs.  I also check warmup off my list of things to do before the race starts. 

7:00 AM
Miles 1 - 6
Have I mentioned the weather is PERFECT?!  My goal is to complete the race in 1:55.  I'm brave.  I'm strong.  I can do it!  I line up behind the 1:55 pacer and keep pace with him through the first six miles.  We run a bit faster than I am comfortable with but I'm here to race - to push myself a bit - so I keep up.  We don't exactly stop at the water stops - I'm sure we slow down a bit but I typically walk through water stops so our slowed pace really only allows me to grab a few sips of water every couple of miles.  I am prepared for this to be the hilliest section of the course and hilly it is.  Having passed mile 7 I am looking forward to the next 4 miles being relatively flat.

Miles 7 - 9
This is where it gets fun.  I have just powered through the first 6 miles of the race - up seemingly back-to-back hills with very little water.  As I head into mile 7 I am begining to loose the pacer - he's still within view but I am dropping farther and farther away from him.  And then - another hill.  This is supposed to be the flat portion of the course.  I am not mentally able to complete another hill.  I want to cry.  I walk instead.  I know - I can hardly stand to say it - but I walked - for a good 3 minutes - up hill.  It feels good to walk.  I can breathe again.  I get some interesting looks from the medical staff but I must not look as bad as I feel because they ride off without engaging me.  I know at this point I will not finish in 1:55.  I consider walking the rest of the course.  And then all of the effort I put into picking just the right music for my Marathon Mix pays off.  Our God by Chris Tomlin starts to play.  And I start to run.  I replay the song two more times - I keep running and don't stop.

Miles 10 - 13.1
Having lost the pacer during my moments of weakness I am now on my own.  I decide to walk through the water stops drinking a full glass of water and Gatorade at each.  Mile 11 is almost completely downhill - praise God!  I have my mojo back I am finishing strong.  I run hard across the finish line with Our God playing in my ears and a smile on my face - my family cheering me on.

My official time was 1:58:57

277 out of 631 Overall
96 out of 340 Females
21 out of 64 Females in the F3539 Age Group

I am happy with my results but would by lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed that I didn't just suck it up and run the whole race.  I trained hard but it was a tough course - hilly throughout and in the end I didn't have a 1:55 in me for this race. 

Which means I'll just have to train that much harder for my next half marathon!  That's right - I'm not giving up on my goal - I'm still chasing 1:55 - and this time I'm doing it with Team World Vision.  I'm crazy-excited and can't wait to share more with you soon. 

As a side note - Our God by Chris Tomlin is officially my new favorite song.  If this song is new to you - you are in for a treat!  It is extremely inspiring, uplifting, encouraging - and full of truth.

Keep breathing... and running!