5 down 7 to go (aka My 1st Half Marathon!!)

It has taken me a few days (ok a week and a half almost) to be ready to write about the Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 6th. I was trying to let it all sink in. (Well that and find a few quiet minutes to type, haha.)

Leading up to the race, all the way to the starting line, runners kept telling me "just wait till you cross that finish line. You are going to feel amazing. Finishing your first one, it's the best feeling." Yeah, I didn't get that. Sure, I felt good about completing 13.1 miles on foot, but there was no amazing revelation, no intense feeling, no choir of angels. I was feeling a lot of things at the finish (mostly exhaustion), but I didn't get that "best feeling" vibe people had been telling me about.

Did have a really great time during the race though! (Minus some aches and pains and a whole lot of heat.) Bands, spectators, bridges and some really great views. And the weather wasn't to bad either!

They recommended getting to the starting area by 5:30 and the race started at 7:30. The Dad drove me down and dropped me off just after 6 am and that was more then enough time. (Side note, not a good time to find oneself in need of feminine products, that was an adventure.) Some of the roads near the start/finish had already been closed, but most of the race course was being closed off starting at 6:30. After getting all situated, I stood in the bathroom line for quite a long time with a large group of new friends. They had port-a-potties all over and there were lines at every group. There were also lines at all the port-a-potties on the race course, except maybe the ones closer to the finish.

I got myself all turned around trying to find the gear check. On everyone's bib there was a section you could tear off with a large hole in one end. The tag had your runner number on it and could be looped through the hole to attach to your gear check bag. I found it quite clever, but then it was 6:30 in the morning and I had been up for a few hours already.

Waiting for the start in Corral E

After gear check, I found my corral. Corral E. The back of the pack. Everyone seemed to be really excited nervous. Groups of people lined both sides of the street with signs encouraging their runners and pointing and cheering as we all got started moving. I say got started moving not running, because the gun goes off (I guess it did, I didn't actually hear it) and everyone starts cheering and slowly moving forward. As the corrals in front start the race, we all herd forward. I passed the starting line about 20 minutes after the gun time.

One of the first bands I passed along the course started playing "Enter Sandman" as soon as I came into earshot. I don't think I could have gotten more pumped up. As a Hokie, that song made me feel like an athlete like nothing else could. (This song plays as the Hokie Football team enters Lane Stadium at VT.) It was AWESOME!

From reading on Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon's Facebook page, I was expecting great crowds and amazing volunteers. Pittsburgh did not disappoint. I enjoyed the various Batman's, the Hulk, and a few bananas along the course. Being towards the back of the pack, I was actually able to see a few signs more then once (people would move further down the course after everyone passed by.) Here are a few of my favorites:

The course took us over 5 bridges crossing over Pittsburgh's three rivers in various places. The bridges were definitely one of the highlights for me. I have been riding in cars over them longer then I can remember and to experience them and their views on foot was amazing. Gorgeous. There were a few spectators on the bridges, but my favorite groups was right before the Duquesne Incline. It was a group students in a local high school's Army JROTC. Them standing as a group reminded me of all of those mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, serving in our military. Each one of the students had their hand out and I gave each one a high five as I ran past. They gave me such a boost just when I needed it.

Photo's crossing each of the five bridges:

It was such a relief to make it on to the last bridge. I was talking to a woman as we walked along and we were sharing our relief that we weren't going to get picked up by the sweep for being to slow. Half Marathoners had to be off the bridge under the 3.5 hour time limit and once we got on we knew we were fine.

Just after crossing the last bridge.

I had the tracking information sent to my phone, and the Dad's, so I would know how I was doing while I raced. (I keep my phone in a wrist wallet while I run. Check them out here: Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallets.) It was really helpful! I knew how I was pacing at the 10K (6.2 miles) and 11.2 mile marks. I slowed down a bit between the two, but I was able to gain a few minutes back before the finish.

Now for some stats:
I finished at 10:50 am in 3:00:45! That's a 13:47 per mile pace. I came in 10900th (out of 12142) over all and 1538th (out of 1702) in my division, women 25-29. Interesting note, there were more women then men. In the half marathon, there were 4699 men and 7443 women.

This was one good cookie.

With my feet on fire and my knee complaining as loud as possible, I walked down the finishers chute where people hand you things. First you get your finishers medal and then can get a finishers' photo taken. You pass on through and get a heat shield (which not many people really needed since it was so warm) and then some goodies: a Panera Bagel, a bag of Cape Cod chips, a Dole fruit cup, water, and an Eat N' Park Smiley Cookie. I walked around for a few minutes in a daze trying to find a place to sit down and munch for a few minutes before getting my bag from gear check. The grass felt awesome. The ground has never felt so good.

I picked up my gear and head out across another bridge toward PNC park to be picked up by the crew (this included the Dad, the Politician, PT, the Enforcer and my grandparents who live in Pittsburgh.) Seeing the family after the race, I started to feel that awesome feeling everyone talked about. Whether it was my son's "Go Mom Go" cheer or the smile on my grandmother's face or even our race shirts that they had on, I really started to feel a sense of accomplishment.

I can now be known as a RUNNER OF STEEL! 

My top five things I learned from race #5:

1. When going under over passes or through tunnels, some one will always hoot and holler. There is more of this at mile 3 then mile 10 though.
2. Great spectators, great volunteers, and pumping music make miles go by faster! 
3. Even though you line up when the sun isn't up yet, PUT ON SOME SUNSCREEN! 
4. Gatorade becomes a little like walking on fly paper after drying in puddles on the asphalt. 
5. Running is a great way to see a city you love in new way. There are some views that pass by to quickly while driving. With the mountains and bridges, Pittsburgh has some fabulous views!

Walking around the Expo the day before, I almost got caught up in the full marathon fever. I could see myself tackling that hurdle. After finishing the half, I think I'll try it a few more times before considering a full. I made it through this one and recovering wasn't bad at all. I ran again on Tuesday morning, like I usually do. It was a shorter run then normal, but I did get up and do it. 

Projects do seem a little more doable in comparison. I pushed myself and completed a goal. And I'm glad to say I conquered that "I Can't."

(OH! And I didn't loose any toenails! (I know you were worried, haha.) I was a little worried about this after the race. One felt a little funny, but I still have all 10! Whoot!)