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. Yay! Congrats on your awesome race! You did AMAZING. And it was so nice meeting you. You and your hubs are super adorable. 🙂

  2. Runblondie26 says:

    Congrast Tina! So happy for you. That’s a terrific time you ran! See you in few weeks for round 2 🙂

  3. Shrinking mommy 2 says:

    AWESOME! Congrats! you did awesome!

  4. Awesome job girl! I loved reading this! So exciting and inspiring!

  5. jobo says:

    Aw! this brought tears to my eyes! So happy for you and that you ran this race SO well and met your ‘secret’ goal (love that you kept it a secret!). One day, I hope to run another half marathon, as vindication over my last one that went horribly bad. And I hope to run it this happily and this well as you did. Congrats again!

  6. Erin says:

    Great job Tina! Congratulations on running such an amazing first 1/2 marathon!! You are such an inspiration – thank you for sharing your journey and life with us!!

  7. Congrats! That’s quite the accomplishment.

  8. CONGRATULATIONS TINA! You’re such an inspiration 🙂 While I was in Rhode Island, my co-workers and I worked the Newport Marathon and it was such an amazing experience. I had a blast cheering on each and every runner that came by and supplying them with water. I loved being able to encourage a group of people to keep on going and I hope that us being there motivated them to keep going 🙂

    Honestly I’m so happy for you! And you’re such an unbelievable inspiration! I can’t believe how you finished the race, I mean, 7:49 after THIRTEEN miles!? For your FIRST half marathon? As my best friend would always say… you’re a BALLAAAA! 🙂 So proud of you Tina!

  9. Awesome job, Tina!! You’re a rockstar! I’m definitely inspired by your accomplishment. Keep it up!

  10. Evan Thomas says:

    Congratulations, Tina! That’s a great first half marathon.

  11. Mac says:

    You KILLED it! Way to go, that is awesome! By the way, I love the picture of you at the start line, you look so happy and so ready to accomplish your dreams!

  12. Katy Widrick says:

    Great splits! I’m so proud of you for finishing with a smile 🙂

  13. Lee says:

    No surprise here, I knew you’d do great!

  14. Elaine says:

    That is AWESOME!! Congratulations!

  15. Jen says:

    Great job! It’s amazing how much you’ve accomplished in the short 9 month period- you’re so fast!

  16. Holy smokes girl! You rocked that 1/2 Mary!!! Way to go!

    I never believed that I could be a working, & breastfeeding mom with 3 kids and able to train for & compete in half marathons etc. I’m using your race to motivate me on the days I don’t feel like eating healthy or training… I’m competitive by nature & man! I want to run a 1:50 half Mary too! (Even if I am getting close to 40…). If Tina can do it, then so can I!

    THANKS FOR BEING MY INSIRATION!!!

  17. Emily says:

    Congrats, Tina!! So proud of you!

  18. Girl, you ROCKED that thing!!! Great job!!!

  19. Kinley says:

    All I can say is… WOW!!!!!

  20. CONGRATULATIONS! You blew your secret goal out of the water! You speed demon, you!

  21. Congrats on your half!! And well done! You are certainly a RUNNER! And an awesome one at that 🙂

  22. Sarah says:

    That is AWESOME! I’m so glad you had such an amazing half marathon!
    One of my “secret” goals: become certified to teach yoga!

  23. emily says:

    Wow, you’re speedy! Congratulations!!

  24. Michelle says:

    You are SUCH a rockstar!!!! I am so ridiculously proud of you. You are going to KILL your first marathon – whenever that may be 🙂 🙂 🙂

  25. You are a superstar girl! I hope you keep this happy high all through the week!

  26. Christelle says:

    Congratulations Tina!!! Amazing time for your first half, I totally know how it feels to tear up at the finish line knowing you just completed something you never thought you could do less than a year ago, I ran my first half in September, and it was such a good feeling to cross that line!!

  27. Lindsey says:

    Holy smokes! Congratulations Tina!!!!! You so rocked it! They should call it the Tina-and-Roll Savannah Half Marathon from now on.
    Your time is beyond impressive and your recap makes it seem easy. It’s been really cool to follow along with your training and all of the progress you’ve made. You’re awesome!

    I’m confident you’re going to be lining up at start lines and crushing finish lines, like, every weekend.

  28. Oh my gosh Tina, blame my pregnancy hormones, but I heard up just reading this! I am so happy for you! Incredible, incredible finish! Good for you!

  29. And you can blame my auto correct Mac, I *teared* up just reading this!

  30. You GO girlllll! Seriously congrats for such an accomplishment! You are SO fast! I think you’re on to something with your new hobby! At that pace you coulda jumped in there with skinny runner and HRG in NY yesterday 😉

    Hope you’re riding the runners high and soaking it all up! CONGRATS!

  31. I can’t even tell you how impressed I am! You are SO amazing and inspiring. My half is less than 3 month away, and reading this makes me feel like it IS possible 🙂

    I am so proud of you! What a year!

  32. AWE-SOME, Tina!! I am so freaking proud of you!! You rocked it!
    Hope you had fun with the other bloggers on Saturday night. Sorry I didn’t attempt to make it as I traveled down with 5 friends and we had a b-day to celebrate that night.

  33. AHHHH CONGRATS BOOBOO!!!!! You kicked ass and I couldn’t be more proud. You looked gorg crossing the finish line, and that is an amazing time. The kiddos will look back on all you’ve done one day and appreciate and love how much you’ve accomplished. Mwah!!!

  34. WOW you are so fast!! Congratulations!! I’m so proud of you 🙂 🙂 🙂

  35. Lauren says:

    Awesome Job!! 🙂

  36. Jenny says:

    Congrats Tina!! I’m so proud of you!! All your hard work really paid off!!

  37. AMAZING!!!!! You inspire me every time I read about your running! 1:50 on your FIRST HALF?! That is craziness!! You are Speedy Gonzales!!

  38. Diana says:

    You are AMAZING!! Beating your “secret goal” by TEN minutes?!? Sub-8 minutes on your LAST mile? No hitting a wall? Girl, that is so cool. When’s the next one? 😉

    • Tina says:

      I signed up for a local one hte weekend after Thanksgiving awhile ago, so I have one in a few weeks. Then, we’ll have to see. But I know there will be plenty more. 🙂

  39. Sarah R says:

    Um, you are a rock star! Congratulations 🙂

  40. Congrats on an AWESOME race!! That is DEFINITELY a time worth bragging about- you rock!!

  41. Congratulations! What an amazing feeling!!

  42. Congratulations Tina!! That is so awesome, and I love reading your recap! Way to go girl!!

  43. Congratulations again Tina! I knew that you were going to crush your time goal. You are a strong racer so I had a feeling you were going to be in the 1:50 range. 🙂

    So glad I was able to see you again this weekend! 😀

  44. Tina I’m SO impressed! Great job, girl 🙂

  45. congratulations on running such an amazing strong first half marathon!!! 🙂 dang, i’m impressed!

  46. SO amazing tina! The adrenaline kicks in and you really surprise yourself!
    I definitely didn’t think I’d ever be able to run a half marathon (not to mention a full) after my eating disorder and being a self-proclaimed “non runner”. We can really all do amazing things!

  47. SO amazing tina! The adrenaline kicks in and you really surprise yourself!
    I definitely didn’t think I’d ever be able to run a half marathon (not to mention a full) after my eating disorder and being a self-proclaimed “non runner”. We can really all do amazing things!

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