I Did It!!!
Posted: November 7, 2011 at 6:45 amOne 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.
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!
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.
With an official chip time at 1:50:08. 1:50:08!!!
I completed my first half marathon. And I can’t wait to do another…then another…then another. Who knows what is next? 
I just know I want to celebrate this sweet victory a little longer…
- 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?!
Tags: fitness, half marathon, running, savannah rock n roll, travel
Ah I loved reading your recap, could literally feel the rush! Well done- so impressed! Especially after reading this, I am so tempted to sign up for a half-marathon! My options are pretty slim in Mumbai but I will definitely do so during my trip to London! Enjoy the high!
The picture of you crossing the finish line brought tears to MY eyes!!! lol 🙂 Congrats, It sounds like you had an AMAZING first 1/2 experience! And that time…. for a first timer…. wow?!?! You excel at everything you do!
Congrats, that is a great time for your first half!
I hope to run my first next summer, your recap is so inspiring!
CONGRATULATIONS! That is such an accomplishment! I Could not imagine the dedication it must have taken to train for a half marathon. You’re an amazing inspiration! Keep up the Good work! 🙂
Rock on Tina!!! I never thought I would run 5 miles in my entire life and I did!!!! I was SO happy!!!! Now I just want to keep running MORE! 😀
Holy negative splits!!! Congrats!!
Outstanding, Tina!!!!!! This was so exciting to read!! I have my first half marathon in Paris on March 4th. I am hoping to do the Rock N Roll half marathon in Edinburg on April 22nd before my husband deploys. From your experience, I think it would be an amazing race and very entertaining!! Your time was amazing and I hope to get my speed up so I can come in under 2 hours!! For now, I am resting up my peroneal tendonitis and hoping to be back to training next week!!!
Girl, I am SOOO proud of you!!! This post just gave me chills and totally makes me want to run again. I will someday but until then, I’m just going to stand back and watch you kill it! 🙂
Wow great job Tina! That is so wonderful! You have worked so hard and accomplished so much! I thought going to college would be impossible but now I am moving on to graduate school. I secretly want to accomplish a half-marathon!
Congratulations!!!! Sounds like the race went perfect!!! Haha I just hope my 10 miles goes that way next week!
Tina, you ROCK!! Congratulations!!
And I didn’t know you just picked up running for the first time after B was born! What an inspiration. Seriously, it gives me hope that I can actually become a runner, too. Congrats again, girl! 🙂
Nice job, girl! That is an awesome time! So glad you loved it- I’m excited about starting up training for one again next year…
Congrats Tina that is amazing!! Way to rock your first half 🙂
Congratulations, Tina!!! Sub-2 on a half, especially your first, is AMAZING!!! You must feel so giddy and happy. So glad you loved it, can’t wait to hear about which one you’ll pick next! Ya know, there’s the marathon in Nashville at the end of April… 😉
What an awesome race! I have never had a race like that…negative splits and killing your goal. I am so envious….and hoping to experience that in 6 weeks!
Tina you are seriously an inspiration! Congratulations, you so deserve that awesome time and have worked hard for it 🙂
Congrats Tina! You seriously rocked that, and you finished strong with those mile splits. It sounds like a fun race with tons of people and crowds.
Best.Recap.Ever.
I’m reading this with tears streaming down my face! Congratulations!!!!
congratulations tina!! i know you worked so hard to achieve this goal so you should soak it up a little longer!
tina, you are INCREDIBLE!!! i loved seeing you again this weekend and am so proud of your amazing accomplishment. you’re a rock star!
I’m so excited for you! Congratulations! And Savannah is such a wonderful city too. I used to go on trips there quite often, and before I got involved in some other major things for this weekend, this was a half marathon I had considered participating in too. Maybe next year.
Congratulations on your amazing time too!
I wanted to qualify for the NYC Marathon and in order to do that I had to run a half marathon in under 1:35….I trained and trained my little butt off…I ran a 1:31…never had I been happier. 🙂
Yep…you are awesome like that! 🙂
Oh and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You are amazing! Honestly, you ae a speed demon – I’m afraid to ever run with you! 🙂
Well you better get over that fear, missy. 😉
I’ve been reading your blog for about a month and I’ve never commented before but I just wanted to say congratulations! So happy for you that you not only achieved your goal but absolutely killed it 🙂
Thanks, Samantha!!!! And thanks for saying hello. 🙂 Don’t be a stranger!
I loved reading your recap! Congrats on an awesome finish time too, that is amazing :). It’s awesome that you managed to run a negative split at the end too, really says a lot about your training and your fitness. Plus that medal is pretty neat too!
Oh my goodness Tina–I am tearing up here reading your recap! What a freaking amazing first 1/2 marathon!! I hope that I’m able to have a similar experience a year from now and look back at my pregnant self in wonder. You’re an inspiration. 🙂
Great job Tina!
I still can’t believe that you just started running in the past year and are already so speedy! You’re a natural! Congrats on the wonderful finish and achievement.
SO SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!
aw, i just got tears in MY eyes! i am so so proud of you…what a long way you’ve come in a year!
awesome job!!! congrats on your first half! you are so speedy!!!
Congratulations Tina! You’re so lovely in your finish picture…I can feel your joy. You did it!
Congratulations!! That is soo amazing you did AWESOME!! 😀
YAY!! I’m so proud of you! You rocked it in every single way possible 🙂
AMAZING job, Tina!!!
I knew you would break two hours, way to go! Racing is so addicting! I’m still so sad iI wasnt able to go!
Great Job Tina! You Rock!
Look at you, little miss speedy pants! What an incredible first half marathon!
I had a wonderful, wonderful race on Saturday, too. Now I’m counting down the days and setting super secret goals for the Las Vegas half in less than a month!
Congrats Congrats! Hahah knew you’d be fab 🙂
Wow! Amazing job! Planning to tackle my first marathon after I have my baby. Your story is very inspiring.
Congrats Tina!!!!! That is so awesome :D. And that is really great that you felt so good during the whole thing! YAY! Enjoy your runner’s high for as long as possible 🙂
WOW, you ran FAST! CONGRATULATIONS! That’s truly inspiring. I can only run a few miles right now, but would love to do a half someday..and maybe I can!
That is a crazy good time, lady! Congrats to you for being so awesome!
Wow wow! Usually I don’t encourage getting hung up on finishing times, but that is seriously impressive for your first half marathon. Looks like you may be a natural at this running thing 🙂 Congrats Tina! You seriously rocked not just the race, but this past year getting there. Also, awesome finisher photo – love the t-shirt!
That’s how I felt, too. I had a secret goal of under 2 only because I thought based on my training runs it was feasible…but I didn’t want to make it an official goal because all I cared about was racing this race and enjoying it. That’s all I still care about, truly. It was such an amazing experience. The 1:50 finish was more like – “wow! my body is stronger than I ever imagined!”
congratulations!!!! that’s an amazing time. so proud of you 🙂
Congrats on your first half-marathon! It is my favorite distance though I’m where you were a year ago. Way to go on achieving your goal! It is addictive! 😉
The post I’ve been waiting all weekend for! So happy for you Tina! Seriously, you kicked this race’s bootay! I’m bookmarking this and reading it again before Philly in 2 weeks b/c it’s awesome and inspiring. I hope my body feels that good during the race! I can’t get over your 7:49 mile on mile 13!! Amazing!
Oh my gosh! You are absolutely adorable in these pictures- the joy just COMES through! Congrats!!!!!!!! So happy for you! SO rocking- SUCH an inspiration!!
That’s so awesome! Great job. 🙂 Did you have any idea you’d be so fast? That’s pretty freakin’ speedy!
Not a clue! I’ve trained around 9:10 – 9:15 min/miles so thought I could do maybe around 9 min or just under during the race…but nothing like THAT. It was amazing!