Course Support

Most of my loyal readers are aware of the fact that I have spent the better part of the previous 4 months in the pursuit of a long standing goal. And I am very proud to say that on October 14th, I successfully completed the Hartford Half Marathon.

To many people I know, that is not a ridiculous feat. I have lots of friends who have done this or have run a full marathon in the time it took me to do the half. However, this was a big undertaking for me.

I am not a runner. I never have been. I used to have a doctor’s note to get out of running the mile in gym class. Visits to the ER for breathing issues were not uncommon in my youth. My dad used to carry paper bags in the basketball bag as I would inevitably need them to control my hyperventilating during time outs.

I make up for my running shortcomings by being a stubborn asshole. So despite the chronic breathing problems and two bum knees, I decided to give it a shot.

Finding time to fit in training was a little more challenging then I would have thought. The first step would be running outside. I am not a big fan of running outside. First off, it is harder. Second, the controlled environment of the gym provides me shelter from the elements and allows me to breath. Always a plus in my book. Despite these minor issues, I mapped out routes, laced on my sneakers and hit the pavement.

My family and friends were incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. When I did my 9 mile run around town, Mom & Dad were mile 2 water stop. The Midge was stationed at mile 5. Eboogie provided me with water and conversation at mile 8. The girls bought me good luck socks and presented me with a sample of the energy drink on the course before hand.

Race day was here before I knew it. I was terrified. When the family called me Saturday morning to tell me they were waiting in the parking lot for me, I walked out a bundle of nerves to the best sites one can imagine. There were “T”, Gail B, Eboogie and Moose singing “Eye of the Tiger” while wearing matching shirts with my face on them. I cried.

Once in the park, I felt my nerves calm a little. There were lots of friendly faces and warm wishes. When that gun went off, I welled up again thinking of how much effort it had taken me to get to that start line. Or maybe it was the anticipation of the 13.1 miles I realized I would now have to run.

I was cruising along through mile 5 when I got the first really nasty knee twinge. I got nervous. This had happened to me the first time on a 9 mile run and it had laid me out for two weeks. I knew from experience it was only going to get worse. I pumped up the volume on my Rocky soundtrack and pushed on. At mile 7, the iPod stopped working. Kept pushing.

I always hear that there is a point during the race when you realize that you are going to make it to the finish. I reached this point as I passed mile 12. It was the oddest feeling.

When I ran under the arch and into the park and head my family cheering, I started to cry. This was it, I was actually going to finish. Holy shit.

I finished in a time a lot slower then I had anticipated. I didn’t get a medal. Throughout the process, I had to ice the knees, felt horrible pain and got up at 8:00 am on Saturday mornings to train. After one long training run, I had a headache for 10 days.

Despite all that, the scary part is that I enjoyed every part of the experience and I am already looking for my next race.