Second Half Marathon...In The Books!

So as the title suggests, I ran my second half marathon this weekend. I ran the Holiday Half Marathon in Pomona, CA. I wanted to run this one because of the medal that you get. It's a snowflake and very unique. Also, if you run this race 3 or more years in a row, you get the snowflake medal along with a penguin medal and every year after it's a different penguin!

Unfotunately I didn't get to train as much as I wanted to for this race for a variety of reasons: I had to get my orthotics (then get used to them), I was sick for an entire week (even had to go to Urgent Care from dehydration), and I've been traveling more (so getting in training runs is difficult and something I have to get used to). I was still commited to this race though, and come hell or high water, I was going to complete it!

A couple things about this course.

1. This is a hard course (at least in my opinion). It is hilly...see the elevation chart below.
2. The course is BEAUTIFUL. I highly recommend this race especially if you love to look at scenery.



So...how did I feel?



My Blister!

Well I felt great for the first 4 miles. I've been dealing with a blister on the bottom of my right foot since I got my orthotics so I wrapped and taped my foot to help but by 4.5 miles the tape had slipped, causing an even worse blister. Thankfully there was an aid station at mile 5 and I got re-wrapped with some Neosporin. This held up until mile 12. By mile 12, my blister tore and it was excruciating pain, but since I only had a mile left, I was bound and determined to finish!

Because of my blister (and having to stop at the aid station for 5 minutes), my time was pretty much shot out of the water, but I did finish and I felt very much accomplished. Although this is the slowest time on record for me (12 mins a mile; 2:37 finish time), I felt more accomplished and proud than I ever have. I ran this one by myself (usually my family runs with me) and I had the blister. But as I crossed the finish line I still felt proud. It's not about the time, all the time. Sometimes it's just about finishing!



The Medal!

After Finishing 13.1!