My group of friends that is into fitness and running let me know they planned to run the Atlantic City Marathon/Half Marathon on October 20, 2019. They suggested that I give the Half Marathon a try.
So....I signed up.
In that moment, I felt panic and excitement all at once.
There was no turning back.
I downloaded a training plan, added it to my calendar and took to the streets. I was making pretty good progress. Since my time is on the slower side, my overall goal was just to finish before the cut-off, which was 3 hours and 30 minutes.
A few weeks prior to run, I started to have some pretty serious pain in the arch of my foot. I did a lot of research and thought it was plantar fasciitis. I started doing foot stretches. I ordered myself an amazing foot bath. I found arches that I could wear on a daily basis. I continued to train but did not focus on speed. I used copper ankle compression and foots love compression. At it's worst, I wore an ankle brace. After runs, I would ice my foot. I ordered two new pairs of supportive running sneakers.
Thankfully, the pain started to subside and I was able to continue my training.
It still bothers me, just not as bad. I do a lot of self care to make sure it doesn't get worse.
Panic and anxiety struck as race day got closer. Could I really make it? Could I do it?
Then it was race day.
I felt like I was in a dream.
I woke up at the hotel. Went to the lobby for a bagel and coffee. I took my vitamins and ate my banana. I drank some water. I got dressed. I made sure I went to the bathroom like 10 times!
Then I met up with my friends and walked around through a sea of runners, spectators and supporters.
The weather that morning was perfect. Not hot and not cold. The sun was even shining over the ocean. Perfect running weather. Perfect scenery.
We hugged. We took pictures. We mingled with other racers. We stretched. We found our race pacers. I stood among this group of athletes wondering if I would be able to do this.
Did I train enough? Would my foot hurt?
Just like that the race started. I inched forward through the corral. I passed over the official start and soon the pack of runners started stretching out. Ahead I could see the sea of fast runners heading down the boardwalk and making their first turn to the streets of Atlantic City. My goal for the first 6 miles was to stay with my pacer. I just focused on my music and keeping pace.
The first 7 or 8 miles twisted and turned through the streets of Atlantic City. There were water stops spaced throughout the race and I hydrated quickly at every single one. It was nice seeing the wave of runners twisting and turning throughout the roads ahead. I kept the pacer close by and eventually ran with the pacer and another runner. It was nice to have some conversation and support. I had a good 5K and 10K pace for myself.
Sometime before I hit the boardwalk I felt myself slowing down. I decided I needed to follow my body. By the time I hit the boardwalk, I just focused on listening to my music and putting one foot in front of the other.
The sun was still shining but clouds were coming in and by the time I started to hit my last 3 miles or so, it was cloudy and drizzly.
The last part of the race was mentally and physically excruciating. We had to pass the finish line and go to a turn around and come back. It felt like it took forever. By that point, the rain got a little steadier.
Soon, I could see the finish line. My family and friends cheered me on.
I MADE IT. I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE! 3:14:44
The entire day felt like a dream. There were moments of doubt as a made my way through the course. I stayed strong until the end. As the rain drops came down, I hugged my children, husband and parents. We took pictures. I accomplished something I never thought I could because I never considered myself a runner.
Over the training for this Half Marathon and throughout the race, I learned so much about myself. I know that I am crazy, determined, motivated and a fighter. I just don't quit. I put my mind to something and work the hardest to achieve it. It's not about coming in first, it's about finishing. It's about doing the best I can no matter what.
This was, by far, one of my biggest accomplishments!
It felt amazing!
