My First Half Marathon - Surf City!

I was encouraged to sign up for the Huntington Beach half marathon back in October by my supportive and amazing running friends. I finally pulled the trigger and signed up in December. After signing up, I kept telling myself, “I don’t HAVE to run the race.... at least now I have the OPTION to run the race.” Well, after weeks and weeks of long Saturday runs building up to the 13.1 miles, I was determined to finish the race under 2 hours. That was my goal time. In all of our long distance weekend runs, we were right around the pace for hitting the 2 hour goal so I thought that I would finish right around 2 hours. Well, little did I know that when you are in the race with all those people around, your adrenaline kicks in and you run so much faster than any practice run could ever prepare you for.

The week leading up to the race, I was sick. I had a sore throat and a cold (of which I attributed to catching the adult version of Owen’s croup ---which the nurse told me could turn into bronchitis in adults). I was so scared that it would linger and hang around for race day but luckily it passed and I was well.  The morning of the race, I met up with Ryann, Lauren, and Wendy (my running buddies), at 545am, and we drove to Huntington Beach. From the time we arrived, to the time the race started, it was a blur. I kept telling myself I needed ample time to stretch before the race so that I didn’t get my usual lower leg pain and shin splints…. Luckily my stretching worked! When the race started, it was a swarm of people and the four of us girls were just trying to weave in and out of everybody to establish our pace (and space)….. Wendy and I ran the entire race together…. Oh and I also ran the first 6 or so miles with an 80 year old man!! He just alway seemed to find his way right beside me after some of the turns and bends in the road…. I wasn’t sure if I should have considered it a compliment or been a little discouraged that I couldn’t shake an 80 year old during a foot race…. I still wonder what his final time was =) Anyways, once we all crossed the finish line, it was time to regain our lost energy so we chowed down on all the crappy little protein samples they give you at the finish line and I also ate a banana they handed me. When we got to the beer garden (finishers were allowed, 2 beers each), beer was the last thing I wanted!! I had one sip and gave both beers away…. It was time for me to hit the couch to do some serious resting (oh wait, that didn’t happen, I have a 1 and 3 year old)!!!

So now the question is, when’s the next race? Well, I would like to keep running and do another half marathon, but I don’t think I will be in town for the OC half coming up in May so I will have to find another one sometime soon. Any ideas? (I want to get my beach cities medal and do the HB, OC, and LB consecutively, which means I might have to redo the HB next year if I miss the OC half this year…. Oh well, just a good excuse to keep my booty in shape=))

Here are some pictures