Fairmont, WV
January 8, 2012
Official time 2:24:44 (11:03 mm pace)
My goal was 9:40 mm (calculated via McMillan Calculator based on my Thanksgiving 10k time of 57:30), or at minimum to beat 10:00 mm which was my single prior HM -- but that was at Decker's Creek which is all downhill. I'd been working at pacing, and I felt optimistic. I was ready to work hard.
I was so excited to start this race. I was jumping out of my skin. So happy. Such a pretty day. My husband and my other favorite running friend, plus some other acquaintances were on hand. It was a beautiful start at 2:00. Such a perfect beginning.
If you heard some subliminal sobbing around 2:10, that was me.
I had a nice fast first mile (9:20ish. Felt on top of the world), and then I started having an asthma episode, which reminded me that:
1) I forgot to use my inhaler pre-race as I had planned and
2) my inhaler was in the car
3) my husband (ahead of me) had the key
4) the course did not get back to the car until about mile 5
FUCK!
Excuse my language. But, really, that is exactly what I said in the moment that I made all those realizations. If ever I am allowed to talk like a sailor, today is that day. If you don't like it, I really don't give a damn.
I knew my husband would run by me after the turn around point, so I could get the key from him then. But, I'd have to make it 4 more miles while having an asthama episode if I didn't want to completely quit the race one mile in.
Here I was, one mile into a 13.1 mile race, and it was all over. I could quit, or I could finish, but either way, all my carefully laid plans were toast.
So, I walked for a while. Most of mile 2. I wanted to sob. I wanted to sit down in my car, sob, and just sob some more.
However, today was my husband's first HM. I didn't want to spoil it for him by hosting a massive pity party. Plus, I now know a handful of other runners who were there, and I also didn't want to look like a whining brat in front of my new friends. Plus, I knew I'd eventually have to come back here and admit to you all what a whining brat I was who gave up instead of soldiering on. Plus, I just started a new How to Run an Ultra book that an online running friend from the c25k forums (my Secret Santa) gave me, and those ultra books really underline the idea of just doing your dang best.
So, I sucked it up. Seemed like the only option. I chose to do my best for today. Whatever that was.
After walking most of mile 2, I was able to run again at a slower pace without extreme distress. I was still uncomfortable, but I was OK. So, I jogged those few miles. I did pass my husband and collect the key from him, plus reassure him I was OK. (A friend had been running the first mile with me, then I told her to go on w/o me as I was going to have to walk it, so she had told my husband what was going on, so he was ready with the key.)
For me, my asthma episodes are just very uncomfortable. I have only had to go to the ER once and that was b/c I didn't have an inhaler. Even then, I'd likely have been just fine medically if I had just waited it out, but I was very uncomfortable, and I am not a martyr. So, anyway, when it happens running, I just can't get enough air. I can move at maybe HR 160ish, but I am not able to push to 170s. Just won't happen. I *feel* awful at a much lower HR than when my lungs are working right. So, anyway, I was able to run slow. Maybe 11 mm those miles 3-5 after walking most of mile 2 (15 mm that mile, I think).
Around mile 5, I passed the parking lot and took a 0.2 mile detour off the course to get my inhaler from the car. The 0.2 extra mile really pissed me off, lol. 13.1 is bad enough, but 13.3, with no credit? F%^% that.
After a few nice puffs of albuterol, I was ready to rock.
Miles 6-10 felt really good. I knew this was not going to be anywhere near a PR day, so I decided to try my best to enjoy it. I admit it was fun that since I'd had such a slow start, now I was passing people consistently which is actually pretty encouraging. Those middle miles were around 10 mm. I started feeling just smooth and happy around mile 8, as usual. Hit my mile 8-9 groove. Nice. I wasn't flying, and I wasn't trying to, but I was *gliding* and happy.
I saw my husband around mile 8 as he'd turned around already, so it was his mile 10. I knew he was close to his top goal of sub-2 hours (FIRST HM! He is a natural!) but I could see he was hurting, as he was walking. However, he is one to walk for a few moments every so often (not something I like to do), so I was hopeful he'd pull it out. It was lovely to see him. I had sort of shifted my hopes/goals for the race from me to him since mine were dashed. I wanted him to have a happy experience. As I was watching my watch and new he was getting into his final mile, I kept sending good energy his way, feeling happy for him that he was almost done!
My final 3 miles were harder. I was getting tired, and my asthma was kicking back up. I've never had two distinct episodes in a single run before. I think it was maybe due to the long time of irritation/inflammation during those first 5 miles. In any event, this will be the last race >1 hr I run w/o an inhaler on me. I'm going to buy one of those belts, or whatever. I promise.
So, the last 3 miles weren't awful, just slower as I couldn't get my HR up anymore, so I was slower, again more like 11mm.
Final time was 2:24:44. So, 11:03 mm pace. Pitiful compared to my goals and previous time, but, it was the best I could do today all considering. I am pleased that I managed to just pull it out and do my best, whatever that was going to be. I did it.
My ankles were and are a bit achey (started just the last 3 miles or so). New aches, lol. I think it's time for new shoes. I'm going to order a new pair this week. No real pain anywhere, so that is good. I am definitely wiped out.
My husband finished in just over 2 hours, 2:01:23 (9:16 mm pace). I am so excited for him. What an amazing feat!
I guess today was a good learning experience. I don't think I'll forget about my inhaler ever again.
As of now, I am now officially in marathon training, folks. Next up: 26.2 in May, come hell or high water.
