I Did It!!!

Posted: November 7, 2011 at 6:45 am

One year ago, I heard about the Rock N Roll race series coming to Savannah. One year ago, I was pregnant, uncomfortable, and not feeling very much like myself. One year ago, I craved a challenge. I let the idea of signing up for this race roll around in my mind, although I seriously doubted it would happen. I wasn’t a runner and didn’t think I could take on such a goal.

Nine months ago I started the Couch to 5K program. Nine months ago, I fell in love with running. Nine months ago, I felt the allure and couldn’t get the thought of this race off my mind. Nine months ago, I determined I would race this race.

Two days ago, I ran my first half marathon. Two days ago, I witnessed my body do something a year ago I thought impossible. Two days ago, I shocked myself.

It all started bright and early with a 4 am wake-up call. I fixed myself up a cup of coffee in the hotel and got dressed before heading to the mall shuttles to take us over to the race course. Our bus got lost for a bit, but I didn’t mind the extra long drive. In my mind, it kept me out of the cold and allowed me to leisurely eat my pre-race meal.

Once we finally arrived (after quite a few detours and  confusion), Peter and I walked around to kill some time before the race and attempt to stay warm. The couple of hours we had passed relatively quickly and before I knew it, I needed to head over to my corral for the start.

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Despite the large crowds, the race itself didn’t feel too packed and the wave starts made everything a lot less hectic than I anticipated. About 10 minutes after the official start, I made my way up with my corral to take on my first half. And I was off!

I instantly felt fantastic. It didn’t take the typical mile or two to feel warmed up. I settled into a groove and when I saw my pace felt very comfortable at 8:40 minute miles I kind of got nervous. I didn’t want to go out too fast! But I couldn’t slow down. And I didn’t slow down. In fact, my pace kept picking up.

  • Mile 1 = 8:41
  • Mile 2 = 8:37

The race atmosphere, bands playing, cheerleaders cheering, and locals coming out to give their support kept me going with a smile on my face. Miles 3 through 7 passed by in a blur as I just took in the entire experience.

  • Mile 3 = 8:35
  • Mile 4 = 8:36
  • Mile 5 = 8:31
  • Mile 6 = 8:22
  • Mile 7 = 8:27

Then we hit miles 7 through 9. Almost that entire stretch was wall to wall people cheering as you ran past. Truly amazing!

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I can’t even describe the surge of energy and drive I felt during that portion of the race. I wondered if I would hit a wall soon, but I kept on trucking.

  • Mile 8 = 8:21
  • Mile 9 = 8:16
  • Mile 10 = 8:11

After the ten mile mark, I glanced at my Garmin. I knew I would hit my secret goal of under two hours, which comforted me because I thought there was no way I could keep the pace I had going. I had never run this fast for such a distance.

I ran mile 11 in 8:21 and noticed how good I felt. At that point, I decided to just give it my all. Things had gone well so far and I felt really good, so why not let my body achieve something unimaginable for me? I didn’t have much longer and told myself I could handle anything for just a couple more miles. I bolted.

  • Mile 12 = 8:02
  • Mile 13 = 7:49 (holy cow!!!)
  • extra .2 on Garmin = 1:28 (7:07 min/mile pace)

I wanted to finish strong and finish strong I did. I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes from the overwhelmed emotions and my arms held high.

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With an official chip time at 1:50:08. 1:50:08!!!

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I completed my first half marathon. And I can’t wait to do another…then another…then another. Who knows what is next? Smile I just know I want to celebrate this sweet victory a little longer…

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  • What’s a goal you used to view as impossible, but have since accomplished or work towards now? Or what’s a goal you secretly want to accomplish?
  • How was YOUR weekend?!

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163 Comments to “I Did It!!!”
  1. Karolina says:

    CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your 1st half! You did a fantastic job and came in with a great time:) I’m glad the race went so well for you after all your hard work and training!

  2. Lisa says:

    Congrats! I love the photo of you crossing the finish line. What an accomplishment!

  3. Dorry says:

    Congratulations, Tina! Amazing time. You are strong and inspiring! I felt the same way when I signed up for my 1st half marathon – determined, but had no idea I’d be capable of running 13.1 miles. Turns out with some dedication and the right training, we sure can! 🙂

  4. Amazing job Tina! You have worked so hard, I am so happy for you. Your time is incredible! 🙂

  5. Congratulations, Tina!! I’m so happy your first half marathon went so well! 🙂 I knew you’d finish at around 13.2 – so your accidental 13.1 really worked out to not be the full distance. Whew!!
    I never thought I’d run a half either but I did 2 last year! I’m planning a lot of races this year and toying with the idea of my first sprint tri in May. I never ever thought that would cross my mind!
    CONGRATS again!!! So happy for you! 🙂

  6. Jess says:

    Ahhhh!!!! I totally teared up reading this — seeing that finishing shot? With your arms held high, your smile as bright as ever? Amazing. Beautiful. Wonderful. Gorgeous. I KNEW you would run an amazing race – and that you’d run happy. And to hear that you let your body just GO for it at the end is SUCH an unreal feeling isn’t it? It’s exactly what I did at the end of my last half and it was seriously life-altering, almost an out-of-body experience. It changed me forever. SO proud of you!! Here’s to what the future holds (I’m hoping it holds a certain something special next October!!)

  7. That’s so amazing Tina! How rewarding to see all your hardwork pay off. You continue to amaze me!

    Ready for a marathon yet?

  8. Sara says:

    You are a rock star, Tina! And proof that great things can happen when you set your sights on them and go out and do it. Motivation to help me get off the couch 🙂

  9. Rebecca says:

    oh WOW! You are incredible!!! Those negative splits are absoultely amazing. I am so happy for you that you not only finished, you ROCKED it. CONGRATULATIONS on acheiving above and beyond what you thought possible.

    I read this post this morning before a huge Biochem exam, and you totally inspired me to give it my all and remember that the finish is in sight, past all the pain. I love racing because the lessons apply to all of life 😉

  10. SUCH an amazing recap! You totally rocked – congrats!

  11. That’s freaking AWESOME Tina!! I’m so proud of you! You rock! 😀

  12. […] @FaithFitnessFun: I DID IT!! […]

  13. Sydney says:

    So amazing Tina! I started to train for a half marathon last year, but because of scheduling with cheer I wasn’t able to but it is a goal I would love to accomplish. After reading your recap it makes me want to run a half marathon even more! Congratulations again! 🙂

  14. Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you! I’ll be running my first half on Saturday and I can’t wait!

  15. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I LOVED reading this post!!! It reminded me of how I felt when I ran my first half (PS – you smoked my time by like an HOUR! Haha!). I was literally on Cloud 9 for a week after the race, and it sounds like you are as well! You’ve been bitten by the bug!! 🙂

  16. tricia says:

    awesome, congrats!

  17. Annie says:

    wow well done! You are an inspiration to me ever since I discovered your blog on PBF. I’m currently trying to overcome binge eating and haven’t binged at all since reading you. Funny how everything seems to make sense now!

    I can’t believe how after only 9 months of running you ran a half marathon, that’s amazing! I do quite a lot of gym (mainly cardio and fitness classes) but never really considered running “in the wild” !

    • Tina says:

      Hi, Annie! First off – BIG kudos to you on the resisting binges. I know how hard that is and how important it is to have someone to relate with. I’m always here if you need anything! And thanks for the congrats. It was surreal.

  18. Tina, you did SUCH an amazing, amazing job! I’m so proud!!!
    CONGRATS, GIRL!!! 😀

  19. rhonda says:

    congratulations! Keep on being the inspiration for the rest of us!!!!!

  20. Cheryl says:

    Awesome job!!! Congrats!

  21. Tina, congrats!!! This was so much fun to read. I seriously LOVE the picture of you crossing the finish line! You need to put that up on your desk/fridge/everywhere! This is so inspirational. I’m definitely doing a 1/2 marathon next year 🙂

  22. I KNEW you could rock it!! Awesome job lady!

  23. Kelly says:

    congrats!!! awesome race!

  24. […] I Did It!!! – Savannah Rock N Roll Half Marathon recap […]

  25. Jeannie says:

    Wow! Great time and pace for your first half! Those plots are awesome. Congrats!

  26. Alaina says:

    Woo-hoo!! Congratulations Tina!! You did an AMAZING job!!!

  27. This gave me the chills, Tina! I read on Saturday morning how well you did but then got caught up with NYC marathon happenings… but so happy to read your mile splits, that’s incredible! You’ve got full marathon written all over your 2012 agenda 😉

  28. Jen says:

    Tina! Congrats girl! Who negative splits their first half? And who runs their first half that fast? SO happy for you! I have a feeling you have a very exciting distance running career ahead 🙂

  29. anne p says:

    Wow – amazing!!!! Congratulations!!

  30. Yay! You are a rockstar! SO proud of you! Love you!

  31. Congrats Tina!!! I’m so proud of you and so very happy for you!! What an amazing experience and finish time, you rocked it girl! 🙂

  32. Hilary says:

    AWESOME! And what an incredible time! Aren’t the crowds just the best?!? In the last year, I’ve ran a marathon, half marathon, 10 km and a 25 km trail run (I went a little out of order and did the marathon first, without ever having run a race longer than 10 k).

  33. Jen says:

    Holy cow…you really ARE a rock star! Congratulations, Tina!!!!!!!

  34. Congratulations on finishing!! It’s truly inspiring to me! 🙂

  35. Wow, Amazing time.

    That time is good for anyone, but it is downright incredible for a first-timer. You are amazing and inspiring.

    Up for another one soon?

    • Tina says:

      I’ve been registered for a local one at a winery the Saturday after thanksgiving. I already can’t wait for it! 🙂

  36. […] a weekend full of celebrating (!!!) hearty food, lots of beer, ice cream, and pumpkin pie fudge, I felt ready to get back to my […]

  37. […] Tina rocked the half marathon as well with a 1:50 finish. […]

  38. Haley says:

    Sorry I’m just catching up…CONGRATS!!

  39. Tina this post just brought tears to my eyes. I am SO happy for you!!! This is seriously so amazing!! You are a baller! Rock on girl!

  40. Tameika says:

    Awesome job Tina! So proud of your incredible half! You totally rocked it and earned your beers and so many more. Kudos to you!!

  41. Awesome job, Tina! That is a great time and you look so happy in the photos.

  42. […] Post Race Sentiments Michelle’s Marathon Recap Megan’s Marathon Recap Tina’s Half Marathon Julie’s Half […]

  43. Kara says:

    Dang! What a great time! Now you can’t sand bag us anymore with slow runs, we expect greatness all the time! I see a BQ in your future 🙂

  44. Cate says:

    Wow Tina! You did an amazing job! Congratulations!! It sounds like it was great race 🙂

  45. Coco says:

    Wow! You really “rocked” this one! It’s great that Peter was able to go with you too.

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