Richmond Half Marathon #4

Yesterday was my fourth time running the Richmond Half Marathon and it was also my fifth half marathon. I'm still stunned by this fact. Just four short years ago I was overweight, out of shape and miserable. Little did I know that back in the fall of 2007 I would be running 13.1 miles one year later. My, my things do change...

Thursday night was the first night of the expo. I was so excited about it that I left the house at about 4:30 to be there when it opened at 5. Traffic was my enemy though and it took over 30 minutes to get there. Arg! When I finally did get there, I was filled with that giddiness you get from your first race. It was thrilling. I spent quite a bit of time checking out the merchandise because this is the first year that Richmond really stepped it up with the merch. I got a little merch happy...



I got a t-shirt, hoodie, sticker, magnet and headband! Threw my race shirt in there for fun.

I was really excited about the sticker. Yes, I am a big fat dork.

After I finally made it out of that mad house that was the Richmond merchandise area, I worked my way around the rest of the expo. I *almost* bought a pair of teal Sauconys but I figured I could find them cheaper online at some point. And I did learn that I do NOT want a pair of Saucony Kinvaras like I thought...they are way too light, and don't have much between your foot and the road, and they are not for long distance. So, not for me. I learned about some other cool races that I am interested in doing at some point and grabbed brochures as a reminder. Got some free chapstick too. Woot!

After the expo I met my husband for dinner at Kitchen 64. I carboloaded :-)

So anyways..the race...

Saturday morning was COOOOOLD!!! The first 2 years I ran this race it stormed really bad the whole week before and we had nasty, humid weather on race day. These past 2 years it has been freezing!!! But it makes for good running weather even though you are freezing until you finally start. I thought about wearing my running jacket but ditched it at the last minute (well I didn't really ditch it, I gave it to my hubby to hang on to cause he's awesome like that).



OMG it's frickin freezing!! How is that dude wearing shorts??

 The start went really well. I kept telling myself to hold back, and I felt like I was, but every time I glanced at my Garmin, I was running a little over a 10 minute pace. I thought, "Whoa Tori, slow down girl!" And even though I tried to slow down, and it felt like I was, I kept running at that pace! This is kinda fast for me but it felt slow. Basically a 10 minute mile pace that feels easy tells me I have really improved. By mile 3 I was running at about 9:44. But don't worry, I messed it all up when I had to stop for 5 minutes or so and wait in line to use the friggin bathroom...that's one of the few times in life I wish I was a guy...

It was hard to get back on pace after that but I think I did OK. I knew what was coming and as I neared Joseph Bryan Park I thought, "Oh no, here we go..." Although the park was GORGEOUS this year (I can't get over the leaves!) it also has some killer hills that always slow me down. Really if there is one thing I could change about this race, it would be the hills. Maybe I should do more hillwork next time...I slowed down after that, but kept chugging along. I got to see my #1 supporter at the start, mile 4, mile 9 and the finish. This always keeps my going :-)



This picture just makes me laugh. Look at that perfect form!

I was really struggling by the end of the race. There was another runner dancing on the side lines and I started dancing with her as I ran by. She gave me a high five and this seriously gave me the extra boost I needed to finish. When I rounded the corner and headed down the hill to the finish, I started pumping my arms as hard as I could and started flying downhill. I didn't even bother to look for my hubby, I just concentrated on not falling down. Now I know what it must be like to run like a Kenyan.  I'm glad I didn't look for him though because as it turns out he was up in a parking deck so he could get better pictures. He's so smart :-)


Flying downhill!

Every year I have had a goal. My first year goal was to finish before the 3 hour mark. I just made it with a few minutes to spare. I probably would have done better if it weren't for my injured hip but you know we all have to start somewhere.  My goal every year since then has pretty much been to just beat my previous time. Except for last year when I was aiming for 2:15. Unfortunaly it didn't happen because I was running with a sinus infection and could hardly breathe after about mile 7. This year I went out with no goal in mind. How did I do? I beat my time from last year by 6 minutes :-) I know that may not sound like a lot to some people, but to me, its a pretty darn big difference.

I'm glad I ran it again this year, but now it is time for a break. Last year I ran 13 races in 8 months and I am a little worn out. I finished that back in May and it was hard to get back into the training routine for this race. Make no mistake, I am glad I did it, I am always happy and proud of myself, but I think the Sauconys are going to be sitting in the closet for a little while with the exception of a little afternoon run here or there. My body is telling me its time to slow down. My sciatic nerve was killing me yesterday and my knee is pretty sore today...imagine how it might feel after someone has whacked it with a golf club...kinda like that. I think I am going to listen to my body and take a break. Also going to try to make a workout routine and stick to that for awhile and do a little less pounding of the pavement. Don't worry, I will still have plenty to post on here, I have lot's of races I have not posted yet...and if I know myself, I'll be back out there soon enough. I just think the races will be a little more spaced out from now on.

"From the moment you cross the start line, you know that crossing the finish line will be one of the best moments of your life." ~ Author Unknown

I love this sport, for all it's benefits, for making me a better person and for helping to keep me sane through the darkest days of my life. It made me stronger physically and mentally. Even though it's been 4 years, I still grow and become a stronger, better person with each step I take in each race. Running is how I erase the past and make my way to the future. I can't imagine a life without it now. I want to be that 85 year old lady that runs marathons. And if I can't do that, I'll run around the outside of my nursing home, walker in tow.

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

-Mumford and Sons-"After the Storm"