Detroit Free Press Half Marathon

This past Sunday I ran my first ever half marathon. It was the most amazing course and environment that I have ever been a part of! The race started and finished in the same spot, but you ran across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada, ran along the Canadian river front, then through the underwater tunnel back into the United States where you continued your run throughout Detroit.

 

The course!

Here are few things you should know before I tell you about my first half marathon experience. 5 weeks before the race I was told by doctors that I needed to stop my training. At that time I decided I wasn't going to do the run because I physically couldn't. I was fine with that. The Friday before the race, things changed, and I was able to run.  Even with no running for 5 weeks, I decided to go to the race and give it my all.

Photo from The Detroit Free Press

My husband and I ran the first 6 miles with no struggles at all. We both had to stop to use the bathroom and that is where we went wrong. After our bathroom break (about 10 minutes or so due to crazy lines) we continued to run. We ran another mile and my legs began to cramp up. I decided at that time that I needed a break, so we walked for a while.

 

I was excited when we reached the tunnel because I knew it would be warm. It goes underground below the Detroit River and with all those hot bodies running through, I knew I would be able to warm up and stretch my muscles. That is exactly what I did then I ran another mile after we got out of the tunnel before I had to stop again. My body was just fatigued and I couldn't run anymore. I decided at this time that I would walk until I reached mile marker 12. At the 12 mile mark, we started running again till we crossed the finish line. It was so tough and extremely emotional for me, but I made it through. 

 

In the end, we finished with a time of 3:19:25.

(My husband could have run the whole damn thing with absolutely no training. Jerk! But he stayed with me the whole time for support and I really appreciated it)

 

I'm satisfied and disappointed at the same time. I know that if I had been able to complete my training I would have been able to run the whole thing, and reach my goal of 2:30. But, I am trying to stay positive and remember that some things are out of my control. I'll be back next year and will no doubt beat this time!