I accidentally ran a half marathon today

[laughinplace199]

A while back, I had signed up to do a half marathon. Due to lack of training and some IT band/knee problems, I was wondering if I should attempt the race. Some wise WISHers offered their opinions that it was probably not a wise thing for me to do this race. I agreed with them and decided not to do the half, which was a bit disappointing since my neighbor was running it - and it was her first half. I had really wanted to run it with her, especially since I was the one who talked her into it and kept telling her that she could do it.

There were 2 races today, a half marathon and a 5 mile race. Both races start on the same course and then split at about mile 2. I decided that I would do the 5 mile race. That way, I could run the first 2 miles with my friend and my DH, then I could find a good spot to watch them cross the finish line.

Well, we were having such a great time chatting and laughing and enjoying the warm weather that I completely missed the turn off for the 5 mile route! At that point, I decided to just go for it and to stop and walk at the first sign of pain. I don't know if it was because I was concentrating on my friend and trying to support her when she found things getting tough, but I had no pain at all!

All three of us crossed the finish line together and I'm so glad that I was able to be there for that moment. She was so happy that she did it! More good news is that I shaved 10 min off my half marathon time!

 

[jmasgat]

Julie That is great for you! I know you were disappointed when you decided not to run it. And to have no IT pain--great! (I know what that's like) And then to PR--double bonus. Congrats to all three of you.

Maura

 

[tiberius]

Outstanding!!
Isn't running with friends just great?

 

[grizbuzz]

OK, now are you just gloating here? "Accidentally" ran a half marathon and shaved time off my PR, all with an injury?

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'd gloat too!
I'm so glad it worked out for you.

 

[VernRDH]

Congrats!!!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Julie, That's great for you!

Unfortunately, that's one of my worst fears. Especially for my next race. It's a 14.2 miler run with a marathon (w/a turnoff like your "5 miler") that I'll be near the front of the pack for and I'm worried, I'll miss the sign.

 

[Cinderrunner]

GReat Job!

 

[momof2minnies]

Julie,
That is awesome- I missed that when I just sent you that PM!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

Good for you- no pain, what a relief!

How does it feel today?

Linda

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for the congrats, everyone!

I am so happy for my friend. She was really nervous and doubting herself and I am glad that my I was able to be there and encourage her (it was nice for me to not be the newbie, for once ). The last two miles were tough, but I think that made finishing even better. Plus, my friend's name was one of the names they called when we crossed the finish line!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi Julie!

Dennis finished in 2:05, and was pleased. He said he didn't see you at all -- I'll let him know you were there!

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Julie!

Dennis finished in 2:05, and was pleased. He said he didn't see you at all -- I'll let him know you were there!

Maria

Maria,

Please send my congratulations to Dennis. That's a great time! We finished in 2:24, which was a good time for me.

It was a fun race, but the weather was hotter and more humid than I had anticipated.

 

[laughinplace199]

Julie, That's great for you!

Unfortunately, that's one of my worst fears. Especially for my next race. It's a 14.2 miler run with a marathon (w/a turnoff like your "5 miler") that I'll be near the front of the pack for and I'm worried, I'll miss the sign.

I'm sure you won't miss the sign at your race. You sound like you've given it some thought, so you'll be aware of your surroundings and you'll see the turnoff. I hadn't given it much thought since I was not sure if I was running the 5 mi race or not running at all. If I had been more prepared, I probably would have paid more attention to things.

When is your race? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, just in case.

 

[TnTsParty]

Congrats Julie - that is an awesome time. I loved doing the Princess 1/2 with Carrie so I know how great it is to have a friend with you to keep you motivated through the finish. So glad you had no pain and were able to be there for your friends first half finish.

 

[deekaypee]

Congratulations, Julie! What a great way to "accidentally" do a 1/2! Is that like when I accidentally finish the carton of ice cream?

I'm so glad you were able to finish, without pain, and to do the race with your friend and DH. Supporting your friend on her first event is awesome (and you would have done that even as a spectator) and being there with her at the finish must have been especially memorable. Oh, and that PR ain't half bad either!

Now, here's the wet noodle moment. Keep up with those PT exercises for your ITB, okay?

 

[jeanneg]

Way to go, Julie! That is truly awesome!
Sometimes when the pressure is off, we end up surprising ourselves by really doing well. Congrats to you.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks, Jeanne.

I think you're right about being able to surprise ourselves when the pressure is off. I usually sleep very poorly the night before a race. Since I was planning on either running the 5 mile race or not running at all, I wasn't nervous and had a great night's sleep. I'm sure that factored into my ability to do the race.

Are you all packed for Disney?