And now I’m a half-marathoner
May 18, 2008 on 8:18 pm | In Running |Just a brief post to say that the Marine Corps Historic Half-Marathon is over and I, not only completed it, but feel like I ran it as well as I possibly could have. I ran the entire thing, the only slowdowns were the water stops (just haven’t learned how to slurp on the run yet). The last hill was a killer but I got through it with a little help from a Marine. But I’ll tell story tomorrow.
I’m waiting for the times to be posted on the Results page (bib 3342) – not that it matters (the goal was to finish) but I’d still like to know.
One quick story: Around mile 8, a woman near me said to her two friends as they ran, “Boy, a marathon sure sounds like a bad idea about now, doesn’t it? This is enough! Running a marathon would be crazy!”
Crazy, you say? Nah, at that point, it seemed doable. Still does. Even sounds like fun. I can’t wait for the Marine Marathon in October. Bring it on, baby!
Yep, I’m that crazy.
UPDATE: The results have been posted. My time was 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 55 seconds. I wanted to be under 2 hours 30 minutes so I’m happy with that. Also, my pace was 30 seconds a mile faster than when I ran the 10K last October so not only did I run farther, I ran faster. Gotta be good with that!
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Congratulations Gretchen!! Very proud of you.
Comment by Mom — May 18, 2008 #
I’m very proud of you too, Gretchen! (I thought of you yesterday at Ellison Park when I saw a runner launch a couple of snot rockets. Ewww.)
Comment by Stefani — May 19, 2008 #
No snot rockets for me, just a few dainty dabs at my nose. I did, however, try to run far from the SWAT team (who were running in honor of a fallen comrade). Seems those guys were always launching snot rockets, hacking up spit wads, or ducking into the trees to, um, water the undergrowth. Yuck.
Comment by Gretchen — May 19, 2008 #
… and you are you a half-marathoner without a limp! An awful lot of the other runners were hobbling around afterwards. Nicely done!
Comment by Tom — May 19, 2008 #
Nice job!!! Congratultions!!! Semper Fi!!!
Comment by Ol Dad — May 20, 2008 #
Congratulations! Impressive! However, we are not surprised. May we call you “Flash?”
Comment by Aunt and Uncle — May 20, 2008 #
Here’s a question from a crafter. Do you get to the keep the bib? I wasn’t sure if it had some electronic gizmo in it to track your time. But if you can keep it, it would be cool to create a quilt or wall hanging from them ALL some day. Complete with embroidered dates and maybe race photos. That’s a good nursing home project for us, stitching and reliving your Glory Days.
Comment by Stefani — May 20, 2008 #
Congratulations Gretchen! Last October I did the San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon with my friend Janice, we walked it and finished in 3:37. It was great fun — all of the bands along the route really kept us motivated!
Comment by Terri from Sunnyvale, CA — May 20, 2008 #