Last weekend was pretty special for me... and I'm not talking about the Eugene Marathon. It was the 3rd anniversary since my FIRST HALF MARATHON. The first one is always special, magical and a day that you'll never forget, Memories were stirred up this week when a radio station reached out to interview me. I was flattered and happily agreed to talk running. The audio clip below aired this past Saturday morning during the Illinois Marathon pre-race show on Champaign-Urbana stations WIXY 100.3, Mix 94.5, 92.5 The Chief and WIXY Classic 99.1. Take a listen... and try to control your giggling.
When I ran my first Half, I didn't even know about the blog world yet, much less write my own. So I thought I'd take a moment to document and reminisce that day. Training for my first half went fairly smoothly. I fondly remember the excitement every weekend as I went longer and longer miles. I was pretty glued to the gym track and treadmill back in those days, which now sounds like torture to me. But my confidence grew with each training run. I followed a plan found on the web and trained all the way up to the 13 mile distance, saving the .1 for race day.
I made the ultimate rookie mistake and started off too fast. I felt invincible at mile 4. Dog-tired and dragging in mile 8. By time I hit the 11 mile marker, I was walking. I found finishing power in the last mile, and sailed into the Illini football stadium with a burst of energy. I raced another gal down the finishing chute with everything I had left in me. After the finish line, we hugged, complete strangers, but bonded in that moment.Official Chip Time: 2:33:46 (11:44 pace)
I returned the next year and greatly improved with a 2:03:38 (read here).
I was pleased with my first finish, but definitely not satisfied. I knew instantly that there would be another. In fact, I registered for my second Half just weeks later. And so the cycle began...
Three years later, I have now completed 15 half marathons and 5 full marathons across 13 different states. Who could have imagined?
Truly inspiring! I can't even imagine running a half marathon,
ReplyDeleteI love this story Jess!!! Such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWe all start somewhere and look at you now!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!! I definitely remember my first half and all of the excitement that went along with it! :0)
ReplyDeleteJess, that race was tough. Hubby and I both ran the full that day and the humidity just about killed us. I knew I was in trouble at mile 8 and we both had our worst finishing times ever, but nothing beats finishing on the 50 yard line and seeing yourself on the jumbotron. We made lemonade out of those lemons!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring. No one ever forgets their first half. Mine was last year and in a month I will be running it again. Way to go! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview!
ReplyDeleteJess. Just awesome! I felt that way after my first half marathon as well--I could not wait to do another one.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great interview! Loved hearing your voice! I'm still new, just running 5k's for now. Thanks for the inspiration to do better!
ReplyDeleteI agree about how special the first half marathon is. There's just something about it that makes it unforgettable!
ReplyDeleteI love d interview, very inspirational. Just decided to sign up for my first half.....Was searching for inspiration to make sense outta of it....
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm currently training for my first half marathon - it's been a physical and emotional journey for me, and I love hearing inspiring stories like yours!
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