My Mini Marathon Experience...

I copied this from the Indy Star today...

"The 35th Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon took place on Saturday, May 8, 2010. The Mini has sold-out for the past nine years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the fifth largest running event in America. The 2010 event sold out on December 14, 2009."

To say that the race was awesome is an understatement. Let me start from the beginning....

Friday, I was nervous as heck. My stomach was in knots ALL.DAY.LONG. I was excited/scared/nervous--all at the same time. Thursday night we went downtown to get my packet and that was something. I loved the Expo. Wish I could have stayed longer...next time we won't take the kids. :)

Friday night, sister and I went to Olive Garden to carb load. I had eaten Olive Garden before a long run a few weeks ago so I knew it would be okay on my stomach. Went home with the intention of going to bed by 10. I couldn't go to bed...knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. It was crazy. I was so nervous. I laid everything out...down to my underwear. Was planning on getting up at 5 Saturday morning to be out the door by 6. Slept until 530. Got up ready to go...although stomach still in knots. Fixed me a protein shake for breakfast and had an extra banana. Did I mention I wasn't even hungry b/c I wasn't--still full from the night before. Wish I would have drank more water b/c by the time the start of the race came I was dying of thirst. Not a good thing.

We got downtown, found our corral then went inside to keep warm. B/c the weather conditions SUCKED! It was horrendous running weather. Temperature wise it was PERFECT...but the wind...oh it was WINDY. We're talking 26 mph winds with gusts into the 30s. AWFUL!!!! DH kept saying how he was so happy he wasn't doing it. (And then we wake up today--Sunday, Mother's Day, and it's PERFECT running weather--sun, low temps, light breeze--figures!)

The race started around 745...we crossed the start line around 8. I don't have my official race time or anything yet (haven't looked) but I know it took us a while to cross the start line. We were in a swarm of people. I left sis behind, told her I was taking off (she didn't train AT ALL for this thing). I started with a light run...ended up running for over 8 minutes before walking again. Then the side splits started...again. Had them on my last run not sure what the cause was this time. So at the first water stop I took 3 cups of water and drank them. Then kept going, felt better. My motto was one mile at a time. The first 5 or 6 were a piece of cake. Then we got to the track (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and it went downhill from there. The wind was awful-I had to put my sweatshirt back on b/c I was so cold. Made it through that and thought the worst of the wind would be over but it wasn't.

At this point I was starting to get sore. I let my mind get to me. The thoughts started pouring in...you didn't train well for this, you can't finish this, etc... but pushed them to the back of my mind and said too late...I WILL finish now. When I would run, I wouldn't feel any pain but when I walked my hips would hurt. So I tried to keep it a jog but heck I might as well have been walking. Did I mention the emotions at this? OMG, I was so emotional. I fought back tears more than once.

I told DH I would text him when I was at mile 12. I made it there and told him I was "almost dead". He brought DS1 down so he could see me cross the finish line. That was SO important to me--for DS1 to be there and see mommy running. He texts me back and says they are right after the 13 mile marker on the right hand side. So I hit that point and take off my sunglasses so I can see them (there was no sun but the glasses helped against the wind) and I am looking and finally spot them. DH lifts DS1 up so I can see him and he yells "MOMMY!!!!!!!" I give him a high-5 and then cross the finish line. There are photographers all over the place and I really didn't want my picture to be of my bawling my eyes out but honestly? That's what I wanted to do. I got my medal, grabbed my food, got one more picture then went to meet my men. It was the BEST feeling to get that post race hug from my 6 year old. I collapsed on the ground and quickly changed my shoes. I was so glad to be done. IT was amazing, awesome, and phenomenal.

The emotions I felt yesterday really hit me hard. I still can't believe I did it. I walked the same race in 2007 and honestly I think I finished 2 minutes slower than then...and I 'ran' yesterday. But I've had another child since then, I'm about 10# heavier than I was then and my bladder isn't what it used to be--had to take a pit stop and I didn't have to do that 3 years ago. Today, I feel great. I came home yesterday and iced my ankles, hips, knees and my low back. Then I took a shower and then soaked in the tub...then curled up with my 2 year old and took a 2.5 hour nap. The hubby and I went out last night and I had a glass of wine with dinner and a salad with real dressing. :) I felt so good. I wanted to wear my medal around last night but DH wouldn't let me. I told him I was going to OWN that medal...I FINISHED that race. I set a goal and I completed it. I was going to OWN all I could! I've gotten that message from more than one person. I will OWN this accomplishment!

Thank you all so much for the love, support, prayers, etc... I felt them yesterday. I loved the race experience so I am setting a goal to do one organized running event every month for the rest of the year. The next one in a 5k on June 5--Out Run the Sun--it starts at 7 PM! That's my kind of race. :) I'm sorry this got so long but I wanted to get all my thoughts out there.

Now it's back to the grind and a new fitness routine. I'm going to do some strength training. I've been reading about Jen for a long time now and she's awesome and so inspiring. I LOVE her blog. She has inspired me to get more into strength training. I want my butt to look good...and my arms and legs and tummy. So we'll see where I end up. :) Have a good night everyone and a great OP day tomorrow!

UPDATED to add--I'm a RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!