Quantcast
Channel: victoria cumbow » the Middle Half
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

I ran a marathon*!

0
0

So I didn’t run a full marathon (*at least not at one time), but I did run two half marathons and that’s sort of the same thing. I’m kidding; it’s not the same thing at all, but it’s still a pretty big deal for me.

This cutie finished alongside me and stole the show! Thanks, Tyler!

This cutie finished alongside me and stole the show! Thanks, Tyler!

Remember when I made jokes about only running if someone was chasing me—what happened to that girl? Here I am, a seasoned half-marathoner with fancy sneakers. (ha, seasoned!) And I have plans to run more, and I’m even entertaining the idea of a full marathon.

Saturday’s run was mostly great, and the end was nothing short of a cheesy, Hallmark movie, complete with the most amazing smiles, laughter and storybook ending. Let me back up a bit first and share the day’s numbers.

At the race start, my blood sugar was in the low 220s. I ate a Huma Gel as I usually do just before the start, and I figured the spike was adrenaline based (because that usually happens). Around mile four, I was still in the low 200s, so I bolused a small amount to correct it. I came down to 118 by mile six and somewhere around mile seven or eight, I was 79. I walked for a bit and I over-compensated on food because I didn’t want to have to stop and wait out a low. My goal was to finish in 2:45, and I was running between the 2:30 and 2:45 pacers, so stopping would’ve tanked my goal.

The rest of the day, I stayed between 97-116, and I was thrilled with that. I also wasn’t running with my CGM, so I tested seven times during the run. When I hit mile 10, I hit a wall. I don’t know if it would be considered a bonk, but I was physically exhausted. Mentally, I still felt good and I didn’t doubt I would finish, but I was simply tired. All over. I think I could’ve taken a nap on the sidewalk at that moment. My splits reflected this because mile 10 was my slowest of the day. I kept telling myself I only had a 5K left, and I whispered prayers as I shuffled along.

What an amazing surprise!

What an amazing surprise!

Just before the mile 12 sign appeared, I stopped to test and the 2:45 pacer passed me. I sprinted for a minute to catch her and held her until the 12-mile marker, but I was too tired to hold the pace. I felt a twinge of disappointment knowing I was going to miss my goal by a few minutes, but I didn’t have it in me and I knew better than to try. Not long after that, I looked up and saw three people standing on the side of the road that looked a lot like my Huntsville crew, but I figured I was seeing my version of a desert oasis. When I looked again, I saw three martini glasses with orange juice and one of the men was wearing a blazer. That was most definitely my Huntsville crew because who else would wear a blazer to a half marathon and bring mimosas!? I stopped in the road and raised my hands, then they erupted in cheers. I ran to them, tears streaming. Hugs and photos ensued and before heading off to finish the race, I took a swig of a mimosa for last boost of energy.

In total, I consumed lots of water, two cups of Gatorade (for a borderline-low), two Huma Gels, a Clif Shots pack and a banana.

As I rounded the last corner by MTSU, my friend Shelley and her son Tyler were there to greet me. Tyler finished the last .1 mile with me in his Ninja Turtle sweatshirt and was the highlight of the crowd’s cheers. What a fantastic way to finish!

I joined my Huntsville friends for an impromptu tailgate party in the parking lot, complete with mimosas, cheese and crackers, and Chicken Salad Chick. I hit the jackpot with friends, let me tell you. My blood sugars were absolute perfection the rest of the day, and I still managed to dance the night away at a friend’s wedding. (Though in hindsight, the heels were a mistake.) Outside of some serious soreness in my legs, I was in good shape.

I didn’t hit my time goal; I missed it by eight minutes! But I did race a PR for the day. I typically run a fast first mile and then run between 12-12:30 for the remainder of a long run. I averaged an 11:30 mile pace for the first four miles of Saturday’s half, and that was a first for me. I also ran most of the race, only walking for about 15-20 minutes the entire day–definitely a first. So while I missed the big victory, I did hit several smaller ones, and for that, I’m calling the overall day a huge success. (I should probably thank this guy publicly for talking me into this race. Thanks, Kevin, for baiting me, and thanks, Barbara, for being an amazing encouragement!)

In 20 years, I won’t remember my pace, but I will remember seeing my friends at mile 12.5 and finishing with a super excited 4-year-old. And that’s a couple of incredible race moments to hang on to forever.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images