My FASTEST half marathon-Trey's SLOWEST!

Back to Myrtle Beach this weekend for another half marathon and my only goal is to make it to the Finish Line!!!  What a relief - I am so excited about that.  My last two years at Myrtle Beach have been personal record setting races for me and I must say that totally stresses me out!  But the feeling of crossing that finish line is AMAZING when you realize you did it and all of your hard work was worth it.  I've shared my last year's race recap with a few of you and just came across it the other day so decided to share it with everyone.

MYRTLE BEACH HALF MARATHON 2012

I was originally going to run the full marathon with a friend but after she got hurt and wasn't going to be able to do it, I decided to drop back to the half marathon and try to set a personal record - which was 1:52 something.  I didn't have time for too much speed work training, but thought I would give it a try...Coach Trey was also on the injured list and was trying to decide if he would be running or not.  He gave me specific speed workouts to do, and I was confident that I was ready!  Surprisingly enough this was the first race that I had run by myself and set out with a time goal to reach.  I knew it was going to be VERY HARD and I was right.  

At the expo Trey was still debating about whether or not he was going to run, he was thinking about maybe even running with me to pace me, etc.  I said "Dude - you got to make a decision because you are driving me crazy!"  He decided this race would be all MINE!  He was an awesome coach and supporter, even helped me lay out my race clothes the night before, put my race bib on my race belt, made sure I had shot blocks, etc.  

Race morning I had butterflies as always but I was ready to ROCK this course and set my PR.  It was perfect running weather - I was ready!  I gave Trey my jacket, straightened my race belt and noticed that my race bib said TREY WHITLEY!!!  You've got to be kidding me, here I am trying to run my heart out and reach my goal and if I am able to do it, I will be doing it as Trey Whitley.  Well, I didn't have enough time to get too upset about it and just seconds later the gun went off and off I go!  

The first mile felt great, maneuvering through the crowd of runners, trying to settle into an 8:30 pace (following coach's orders although wanting to strangle him!)

Mile 1 - 8:33

Mile 2 - 8:17

Mile 3 - 8:18

Mile 4 - 8:20

Mile 5 - 8:27

Mile 6 - 8:23

Mile 7 - 8:29

Mile 8 - 8:30

Mile 9 - 8:20

About mile 9 1/2 I starting thinking dang I'm getting tired.  Self doubt started creeping in.

Mile 10 - 8:32

Mile 11 - 8:34

Oh no, please don't crack now!  I thought that was a faster mile and when I looked down at my Garmin and saw an 8:34 I thought I may be getting into trouble.  Then I was pretty sure I was going to puke!!!  Dang it!  Please no- just let me make it!

Mile 12 - 8:38

Uh oh!!  I had what I call a Suck it Up Buttercup conversation with myself when I saw this 8:38.  No way did I work this hard to crash now.  I asked myself the classic runner's question?  - Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be STRONG today?

Mile 13 - 8:25

YAY me 13 seconds faster-I knew I had made it.  I rounded the corner and saw what I had been looking for for 13.1 miles - the FINISH LINE!  I was a happy girl with a personal record of 1:51:05.

You mean if I had been 5 seconds faster it would have been 1:50 something.  Well, maybe one day!

Trey's SLOWEST half marathon...Ha!Ha!

IT WILL HURT.  IT WILL TAKE TIME.  IT WILL REQUIRE DEDICATION.  IT WILL REQUIRE WILLPOWER.  YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS.  IT REQUIRES SACRIFICE. YOU WILL NEED TO PUSH YOUR BODY TO THE MAX.  THERE WILL BE TEMPTATION. BUT, I PROMISE YOU, WHEN YOU REACH YOUR GOAL, IT IS WORTH IT.

Guess one day I'll try to set another personal record to have my name in the paper, but for this weekend race having FUN and running with my friend for her first half marathon is the only thing I'm focusing on.  

Gotta Run!