So I left off my last post when I was just about the half-way point in the race. The sun was coming up and I was maintaining a steady 10 min/mile pace. All of sudden my stomach started doing flips. I had to stop and walk because I felt so awful. Unfortunately this feeling NEVER went away and only go worse as the miles wore on. I alternated between walking and running but my "running" didn't last more than a quarter mile at a time. My stomach felt so queasy, running was just asking for trouble. I thought about stopping at the port-a-potty but hate using those (I mean...who doesn't?).
I literally stopped at every water stop and made sure I drank both water and Powerade. So I really don't think I was dehydrated. My theory is I must have picked up a bug. Needless to say, I did my best to push through the race. Just when I thought I couldn't take much more, yet another issue came up at Mile 10/11. I knew just by how my foot felt, I was bleeding badly from blisters. My feet are VERY sensitive to new shoes (and even ones I wear a lot like my running sneakers) and I am highly susceptible to blisters. Four days later, my foot still looks awful so I have been trying to take it easy and have yet to run since the race.
Finally, I crossed the 13 mile marker and with every ounce of stregth I had left, I pushed my self to a sprint and crossed the finish line, with tears streaming down my face. I had done it. I was officially a half marathoner. My time was 2:26:40. Certainly not the time I was hoping for but with the humidity, not feeling well and having no skin left on my heel, I would take it. Generally I am one of those people who does not make excuses and always pushes through something and this was no exception. Getting that medal put around my neck was such a sweet, incredible victory.
Sadly, my stomach was so upset and angry, once I got back to the hotel, I never left. We ended up missing our last dinner reservation and never made it to the Magic Kingdom for more rides (so you KNOW I was ill). Even today, it's not feeling all that great. Fortunately Michael took wonderful care of me and he reminded me of how awesome what I just did was. My next race is only a few weeks away (March 16th) and I am hoping to blow this time out of the water. Fingers crossed...and stay tuned...
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