Monday, November 4, 2013

Zeitgeist Half Marathon

Zeitgeist Half Marathon

We did it. We did it. We did it. We did it. WE DID IT!

I'm so relieved to say that my official training for races in 2013 is finished. Thank goodness. This weekend we ran our fourth race of the year, the Zeitgeist Half Marathon (we also ran the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon in May, the Sawtooth Relay in June, and the City of Trees Marathon three weeks ago in October), and I'm just so relieved that it's all finished. I will still run now and then... but only if I want to, not because I have to.

To be honest, with all the training for the full marathon we just did, I thought we were going to kill this race. Seriously, I thought, "Oh, it's only half of what we just did... this will be a breeze!" Boy, was I dead wrong. Let me tell you what—there's a BIG difference between running a marathon on an almost entirely flat course and then trying to run a half marathon that is uphill for the first 8.5 miles. BIG DIFFERENCE. It was rough!

Mom and I started the race together, but instead of staying together the entire time, I ran ahead just after the two-mile mark because I was feeling really good. This was the first steady uphill portion of the course, and I normally am able to cruise through uphill inclines, so I high-fived mom and wished her the best of luck with her race and took off to find my pace. I was chugging along the steady uphill until about mile six when I realized that I wasn't even halfway and that my ankle was killing me (still hurting from the marathon) and that sheesh—I was tired already! It was at that point that I regretted departing from Mom, but hey, what could I do at that point? So I kept on going and pushing ahead, crawling up the last steep hill at mile 8.5. I did run the whole thing... but it was a slow run.

As soon as I hit the downhill portion of the course, I started going fast—too fast—and within a couple miles I had lost the feeling in my legs and knew I was close to fainting. I'm such a wimp, guys, I tell you what. I went from cruising through the downhill at a 7-minute-mile pace (I was on track to PR with a finishing time of 1:45) to barely being able to keep up an 11:00-minute-mile. All those people who I had passed in the beginning were now streaming past me at what felt like lightning speed, and I was just trying to stay on my feet. I was dead. I kept looking behind me, hoping that Mom would catch up to me and we could finish together... but before I knew it (and after what felt like a lifetime), the finish line was in view and I found my kick to finish strong. I crossed the line at 1:56. As soon as I finished, I felt just fine—figures, right?—and I ran back to the start of the flags so I could cheer Mom through. She came over the hill just as I got to my cheering spot, and I cheered her right through the finish. Mom crossed at 2:01 and we both rejoiced at the fact that we were finished!

We quickly tossed on our finisher t-shirts for a photo, grabbed a warm slice of apple crisp, and shivered until our lips were blue as we took forever and a day to hobble back to the car. The weather had been a perfect and sunny 40 degrees (though very, very windy) during the race, but just as we finished the clouds and rain set in.  We warmed up our bodies underneath the chilly rain in Stephen's hot tub, stretching our legs and laughing about our ugly runners' toenails and how this race was just not what we had expected. It killed us!

Zeitgeist Half Marathon

Lessons learned for us in the past couple weeks: 1. Don't sign up for any races after just running a marathon. 2. If you're feeling good at mile 2 but the whole rest of the race is still uphill, that's probably not the best time to "see what you can do." 3. NO MORE MARATHONS.

I've been running non-stop since the middle of May, and for once I'm looking forward to kicking up my feet and taking a day (...or thirty... or forever) off.

Mom, thanks for being the best training partner over the last 6-months. Though the long runs were sometimes painful and terribly, well, long, I wouldn't have traded one mile for our story-swapping, laughs, or time spent together. How many moms get to spend every Saturday for 6-months running for 2+ hours with their daughter? I'm not sure... but I hope they enjoy it as much as we did. I love you, Mom... here's to some awesome races together, some killer matching outfits, and to no more marathons! Woo hoo!

48 comments:

Allyssa said...

Congrats!

Amanda @ Eloquent English said...

That's awesome! In the past I would limit myself to 2 big races a year. One in the spring and one in the fall and just do some little ones in-between for fun. (: GET SOME REST!!!! Your body I'm sure needs it. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Allison Clements said...

YAY!!! Congrats!! That's so great! This gets me excited for 2014 and my race that I will hopefully run :) Congrats again girl!

kcsaling said...

Someone who has put that many miles on her feet in that short of a time cannot possibly call herself a wimp. Way to go, girl! And way to go to your awesome mom, too!

Hannah Scott said...

You should calculate all the miles you've run in the past year and see how far away from Boise you would have run! I bet you would have made it here to KC, at least!

Kelly Ann said...

Up hill for more than half way? That sounds DREADFUL!


xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Kristin said...

So impressed that you finished! Way to go Aunie!!!!!

Laura Elizabeth said...

woah!! go you! that's so awesome that you're using your gift to bring awareness!

Kateri Von Steal said...

Amazing! Good for you two! My 5k is 23 days away. My times are great. I am feeling confident. What I am scared about.. is how cold it's going to be. The temps are anywhere between 36 and 45 degrees in the mornings... And, well, Who knows how God will challenge me!

I am going shopping for some base layers... Any suggestions?




www.katerivonstealsnewlife.blogspot.com

Linda said...

Congrats to both of you. You've more than earned sleeping in for a while.

Stephanie said...

You make the absolute perfect cover girl. And I love your article inside!

Tara Morgan said...

Very cool Aunie! Love how you are using this "gift" - and congrats on your crazy marathon - It was tiring to even just read about all that running in the last while! Glad to hear you get to take it easy for a bit.

Carly Anderson said...

How cool is this???? Congrats!!!

Martha said...

Yay you! It's so cool that you've been able to take something most people would perceive as negative and find a way to turn it into something positive and uplifting for others. :) Also, belated congrats on your marathon! I don't know how you do it all!

Cody Doll said...

Wow that is awesome. So proud. I went through the whole magazine and was just in awe of the impact that this magazine has.

Trich Star Mom said...

Awesome! I had no idea this magazine existed. I will definitely start getting them! Thanks!

Shannon Tatlock said...

This is amazing Aunie! You should be so proud! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

See, that's a great idea! I get all excited and tell myself I have to run ALL THE TIME and then mid-race I find out how burnt out I am... I'm using your philosophy from now on!

Annelise Rowe said...

No way on the hopefully... you're totally going to do it!

Annelise Rowe said...

Aw thanks so much... you're so supportive. I guess I just felt like a wimp because I almost gave up! But alas, I didn't and here I am... finished! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

It's at least at LEAST 700 miles. Can you believe that?

Annelise Rowe said...

Yes! 8.0 miles uphill and 5.1 downhill. Ugh!!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much Kristin! I'm feeling MUCH better now... finally... it's all over!

Annelise Rowe said...

OK, well it was about 40 for our race and my capris, tank, long sleeve and gloves did me just fine! I love the sports stores like Sports Authority and Dick's--if you have those. I prefer Nike and Under Armour over everything, usually opting for Nike from head to toe. And my gloves were just cheapies, about $2 from our local Fred Meyer store.

Annelise Rowe said...

I agree with you! Enjoying daylight savings the day after was a real treat :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much Laura. It's so helpful when companies like Helpme2stop reach out... it brings us one step closer to reaching new people!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh you're so sweet. The article was taken from a blog post I did back in August. I was thrilled they liked it so much!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thank you so much, Tara. I was tired just writing about it... so glad it's over, too!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much, Carly. It's just one more way to get the good word out about trich :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much, Carly. It's just one more way to get the good word out about trich :)

Annelise Rowe said...

You're incredibly sweet, Martha. Thanks so much. I think that since I was down on myself for SO MANY YEARS about having this disorder, that once I finally opened up about it and put my struggles out there, it just became so much easier :) PS> I don't know how I did it either. Thankful it's finished.

Annelise Rowe said...

It's pretty full of content, huh? I just love it and am so honored to be a part of it.

Kelly Ann said...

That is amazing, congratulations!


xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Brittany said...

Congratulations!! What an inspiration you and your mama are. And how gorgeous are you ladies?? Beautiful!

Brittany said...

Um, excuse me...you're a celebrity!! I'm so glad that you're using your experiences to encourage and motivate other men and women with trich. Think of all of the people you have saved and are saving. Rock on, mama!

Julie said...

This is awesome! I'm so excited for you!

Mackenzie Bell said...

This is awesome! It inspires me that you turn your struggles into successes. Thank you for sharing your story!

Cody Doll said...

I can tell why. =]

crescendobykrista said...

You are crazy for running a half barely a month after your full!! You and your mom are rockstars! Keep doing marathons! I did my first half this year and plan to do a full next. My husband ran in the Chicago marathon and had a great training experience. Most important part is to listen to your body. It tells you when it's been pushed to its limits. Way to go girl! Lots of rest now!

Krista

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh good! It's the best resource... filled with so much info & inspiration :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thank you, Shannon. I am very excited and honored to be in it. Just need to order a copy and frame it now!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much, B! I don't know about a celebrity, but I'll take the pat-on-the-back from you anyday :) Thanks so much for all your encouragement through all of it! It all started because of YOU!!! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Julie. It's truly an honor.

Annelise Rowe said...

Thank you, Mackenzie. It's still a daily struggle... but it's so much better than it used to be. So glad I can help people.

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh my goodness, you are just making me feel all kinds of good today. So much Clumps love... can't even stand it! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much, Krista. I'm still in that hurting phase so another marathon isn't crossing my mind quite yet, though next year I might get that bug again. Can't wait 'til the weather warms back up!

Danielle said...

Oh my goodness -- this is an amazing opportunity! Congrats aunie!!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much Danielle. I really, really appreciate it.

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