I Crashed The Web

What a week!! I started the week in Orlando, and this morning ran the Cleveland half marathon! That’s right, this weekend, I completed the Cleveland 5k/half marathon challenge series, running a 5k on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday. As a race ambassador, I was able to take advantage of some amazing perks. Even though the race wasn’t my best (thanks to my torn hip labrum,  lack of training and the heat), I’m still feeling proud and grateful for the whole experience — so here it is.

Sunday-Thursday (leading up to race weekend): It was a busy week! I was out of town in Orlando for work through Wednesday … and it was NOT a relaxing work trip! One day I was up until 11:30 working, and then up at 3:30 a.m. working. I did manage to get in a few short workouts each day (2-3 miles run and some walks early!) for my sanity. Needless to say, I did NOT get much sleep. Not the best way to kick off race week, huh?

Friday: Race Expo

I fully believe that the best way to kick off race weekend is through the race expo. I love seeing all the newest gear, fuel, and al the people! I admit that I kicked off the day tire,d but left the race expo energized after working the packet pickup with several of my other ambassador friends. It’s great to see everyone picking up their packet – there’s no better way to get excited! 

Saturday: 5K

Saturday morning I had signed up to do the 5K as part of the first part of the Challenge Series. The race started at 7:30 a.m., so I parked and walked over to the starting line to get photos with my fellow ambassadors at 7 a.m. It was windy! I got in some photos, and then it was time to start!

With my hip injury, I wanted to take it easy and walk, but I was cold and dressed to run in shorts, so I started running SLOWLY for a little bit. I tried running/walking, but it was hard – I really wanted to just run! I did get a little hip pain, but was hoping that it would be gone by the big race the next day.

The course is always one I enjoy. There are a few small hills, and you run past the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and Browns Stadium, and then up E 9th before the 5k/10k cut off. The finish line was great! It felt like a big part with volunteers handing out medals, water, gatorade, chocolate milk, granola bars, bananas and other snacks.

I watched the 10K winners come through but didn’t get to stick around to check out much of the party after, I had to head home after the race to help FW get to soccer and baseball practice and then take Lucille to her ballet dress rehearsal.

Sunday: Half Marathon

Sunday was the race I had been waiting for – half marathon day!

Unfortunately, I knew it wasn’t going to be my fastest or best race. My torn hip labrum meant that I hadn’t trained as I usually would PLUS I had some pain going into race day. Ugh! I had had a busy week with a work trip and been on my feet, without much sleep, the majority of the week. So I started out race day TIRED, undertrained and in a little pain. BUT I went in with the attitude that I was lucky to be able to still run! I kept thinking, I get to run and I’m proud of my body to let me do this.

So I still went in with a plan/goal – to do under 10:30 min/miles and to HAVE FUN. What a difference from just a few years ago when I was under 2 hours and trying to set PRs, right?

The race was HOT! I am glad I switched to a tank top at the last minute because I was hot from the start. I was also already sore at the starting line, so I decided to just take it easy, and TRY to enjoy the race, give all the little kids high-fives, and stop at as many water stops as I could.

This was a good plan – because by mile 7 I was dying! At mile 9 I saw my brother-in-law (we pass his house) and it put a little pep in my step. By this point, there are people collapsing on the course and ambulances picking people up (again, it was so much hotter than it had been!), so I was just grateful to NOT be on the ambulance.

I ended up finishing at 2:07/8ish , which is much faster than I anticipated! It definitely wasn’t my fastest run, but I’m proud of my time, and my effort, and hoping that next year I’ll be back STRONGER and healed!

Overall, I’m really happy with how the weekend went. I had SO MUCH fun and am so grateful to be part of such a great tradition.

THANK YOU Cleveland Marathon for a great weekend. For letting me be an ambassador AGAIN. I’m getting older and the races seem to get harder, but I’m so lucky to GET TO RUN!

I am linking with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.