I kicked Asphalt! PR 1:48:35 Half Marathon

Have you ever far surpassed your own expectations even though you had no intention of doing so? That rarely happens to me. I always have high expectations no matter how hard I try to counterbalance it with large doses of realism.

I am a late in life runner. I started running at 43. I HATED Running until I did Couch to 5k in August 2011. I ran my first 5k exactly 1 year ago today! I think my time was like 29 minutes. I caught the fever. I ran my first Half Marathon 6 months later in Feb 2012 in wintery coastal New Hampshire (bragging rights for winter running in New England!). I ran a very disappointing 2:02 since my goal was under 2 hours.

I haven't entered a race since, until a month ago when I thought I would do the Half at The Hamptons for the second time. It was a rainy day in the low 50s. Other than my mascara running into my eyes and stinging them and the wet sneakers, it was ideal conditions. I sweat profusely so the rain was a welcome change!

After my first half I was chatting with a more experienced runner who said, "Now that you ran your first half, and know you can do it, you won't need to hold back next time". And boy, was she sure right! The first half was about completion...Can I actually run all 13.1 miles. This time I knew I could finish. I run 10-12 miles 3 times a week on a treadmill. I have only ran outside once in 6 months.

The difference is that a treadmill is "set and go". I can be lazy. I can set it at 5.5 or 6 and coast along for 12 miles happy as a clam. In a race, the energy of the other people and passing and being passed is total motivation to push past what I think I can do to what I can actually do.

I went with every burst of energy I had. I killed the hills like I was storming Normandy. I made my breaks and passed people and was sometimes embarrassed later when they would pass me by. The turtle and the hare. I was passed by many runners stronger than me. Running reinforces perseverance, commitment to a goal, dedication and humility.

I had no idea how I would do as I was not really training on my speed only maintaining my commitment to distance runs 3 times a week. Not to train, but for the love of running. Three 10-12 mile work outs per week is just the new norm.

My stats for the race are as follows:
1:48:35
8:18 minute mile average
7.2 on the treadmill equivalent for 13 miles!
23 out of 305 40-49 year old women
in the top 7.5%

In February I ran the same course at 2:02 and was in the top 50% in my division. I shaved 14 minutes off of my time. I can't believe how much I improved in 6 months with absolutely no trying! How is that even possible?? Great life lesson though...keep doing what is good and progressing forward and the results will amaze you!

Runners are high on life and I proud to call my self a runner...and I have the boobs to prove it!