I always thought it would be amazing to be a part of the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival. They have a marathon, half-marathon, four-person relay, 5k, and a kids fun run. I knew I could do a 5k, but I also knew I would feel dorky running 3 miles when there were people running 26 miles. I thought maybe someday I could work up to being able to run 6 or 7 miles to do the relay.
When I first started running (note - everywhere I say "run" I really mean "jog" because I am very slow) about eight years ago, I couldn't even run a mile. I set a goal to run a 5k and accomplished that. Since then, I've been perfectly content with running three or so miles at a time and haven't had any desire to run further. I don't know what changed that. Maybe it was because my friend Cathy was training for a half marathon. I threw out the idea to her and we got a team together. I trained for several months, through a combination of treadmill running, Jillian Michaels videos, and long runs on the Ma and Pa trail.
The week of the race, I kept thinking, "Why am I doing this?! I hate races!" I was so nervous about everything--driving and parking in the city, making sure I got on the bus to the exchange point on time, finding my teammates at the exchanges, the sheer volume of runners--there were 25,000 total, and of course, the run.
The morning of the race was freezing. I couldn't stop shaking and I wasn't sure if it was the nerves or the cold. After I got on my bus I started to warm up and calm down. We left a half hour before the race started so I didn't get to see the start (bummer). We had a police escort to the exchange point (how cool is that?). We unloaded the buses and everyone got in line for the porta potties. It was crazy. I think I was in line for an hour. Lots of people had to drop out of line because they knew their teammate would be there before they were done. Luckily, I was able to use the bathroom and get in place to meet Tiffany. She rocked the first leg and all of it's crazy hills. Then it was time for my leg--seven miles--starting at Johns Hopkins University, down to the Inner Harbor, through Under Armour headquarters, and back to the harbor.
The first couple miles, I thought I was going to die. But that's the way I always feel when I start running. Then I kind of get in the zone, or I just figure out how to ignore the pain, or something. I started enjoying the run. I was amazed at how many people came out to cheer us on. They had posters, rang cow bells, and called out words of encouragement. One lady almost seemed to have a speech prepared, "You are going out and doing what you said you were going to do. You have prepared for this day..." It was awesome.
My leg was over before I knew it. I felt strong at the end. Maybe too strong? Shouldn't you feel like dropping at the end of a race? I felt like I could've kept going. I probably should have pushed myself harder. I wasn't going for a certain time, my goal was to run the whole leg without walking, which I did. I finished in 1:20, about 5 minutes less than I thought I would. I loved being able to watch at the finish line as everyone came in. There were runners of all ages, shapes, and sizes. There were barefoot runners, people running for a cause, people who ran the last 100 meters with their kids by thier sides. It was inspiring.
Despite all of my nervousness and fear, I am so glad I did it. It was so much fun! And I am so proud of myself for acomplishing something I never thought I could do. So what's next? The full marathon? No way. Could I be talked into doing the half? Maybe...
