The race was more than I expected. The day before was spent at Disneyland. We walked all day long, and by bedtime I was concerned that I might be running on tired legs that next morning.
All Smiles Pre Race!
The race started early, at 5:30 a.m. It was recommended we arrive by 4:30, which means leaving the hotel at 4:00 a.m. Which means I woke up at 3:30! I did not sleep a wink that night! However, before the race I read not to worry if you don't get much sleep before the rest, it is the sleeps the days leading up to the race that make the most difference.
In front of the castle
The race itself was more than I expected. It was so much fun! I loved seeing all the people cheering us on. It really encouraged me to keep running. There was never a point where I felt "I can't do this!"
Running through Angel's stadium
In my training runs, miles 11-13 have always been the hardest. However, on race day, I focused at mile 11, and thought, I can do this! I picked up the pace, and located a person in front of me. I concentrated on that person, until I passed them. I did this over and over, until the finish was in sight, and then gave it everything i got!
All the training paid off! I completed the race in 2:06:45!! My cousin cross the finish line just seconds after me, shaving 16 minutes off his personal record!
I was rewarding and so much fun. We spent the rest of the day in the park, proudly wearing our medals! It was neat to see all the other participants with their medals as well, and all day long, people stopped to congratulate us!
I had such a great time that when I returned home, I signed up for more races! My schedule is....
September 30, 2012- 10k race in Dripping Springs.
November 10, 2012 - Disney Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon, Orlando, Florida
December 8, 2012 - Color Me Rad 5k, Austin, Texas
January 13, 2013 - 3M 1/2 Marathon, Austin, Texas.
Since running my first half, I have been working on getting faster. I don't know if I can credit my new shoes, the cooler temperatures, or the training program, but I am getting faster. My goal is to complete the 1.2 marathon in November in under two hours. Hopefully I can pull this off.
Till then, I am going to try and do a weekly post to track my progress. This is my plan:
| Week | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 1 | |||||||
| 2 | |||||||
| 3 | |||||||
| 4 | CT | 5 x 400 IW | Rest | 4 mi race pace | 2 miles EZ | Rest | 10 k race |
| 5 | CT | 35 min tempo | 5 mi | 3 mi race pace | Rest | 7 mi | 3 mi EZ |
| 6 | CT | 6 x 400 IW | 5 mi | 4 mi race pace | Rest | 8mi | 4 mi EZ |
| 7 | CT | 40 min tempo | 5 mi | 4 mi race pace | Rest | 9 mi | 4 mi EZ |
| 8 | CT | 6 x 400 IW | 6 mi | 3 mi race pace | Rest | 10 mi | 4 mi EZ |
| 9 | CT | 45 min tempo | 5 mi | 4 mi race pace | Rest | 11 mi | Rest |
| 10 | CT | 7 x 400 IW | 5 mi | 3 mi race pace | Rest | 12 mi | 3 mi EZ |
| 11 | CT | 45 min tempo | Rest | 3 mi race pace | Rest | 5 mi | 3 mi EZ |
| 12 | Rest | 4 mi | 30 minutes 10K pace | 2 mi | Rest | 20 minutes | Race Day! |
I am currently on week four. Technically did not finish all the training on week two due to an unexpected eye infection, but I am back on track (though in my glasses, which makes for a interesting run).
My past few weeks, I have been running at an average pace of 8:30-8:50. If I can keep this up, I should be able to finish the Disney 1/2 in under two! And who knows, maybe a marathon next (doubtful).
