Yesterday, I was able to finish my second Half Marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. In a row. On foot.
Last time I raced this distance, I suffered great muscle cramps which meant walking the last 5+ miles in order to finish. This time — I was properly trained, well hydrated, ate a banana the day before race and the morning of the race. I even sipped some pickle juice to help prevent cramping. Good news: It worked. No cramps. Bad news: All that did very little to prevent heat exhaustion. Temps in the 80s and high humidity, so I simply adjusted my game plan: Start “slow” then back it off to “even slower.”
Already feeling the ill effects of the heat, my spirit was crushed when we came upon a hydration station at approximately Mile 6 that was “out of water.” SERIOUSLY!?? At that point, I prayed for anything to help me enjoy the rest of the event, because quitting was not an option.
Within minutes, I was greeted with a nice breeze as I exited the wooded area. Further along the trail, people were handing out wet cloths. And by Mile 7, a man with a cooler offered me an icy cold bottle of water. Feeling a bit better, I ran when I could and walked when I had to… all the way to the end.
Hats off to my running buddies, for encouraging me through training and cheering me on at the finish. Best of all, my parents were there to see me RUNNING STRONG to the finish line.
So Many Hats 