Santa Hustle Half Marathon

Before the Race

Stardate 67440.9

12:45 - I like making goals. That is nothing new about me, Focus Foxies. I have always liked setting a goal and achieving it. However, most of my goals are seemingly far-fetched. Enter in my Fall 2013 goal: run a half-marathon. For many people, running a half-marathon is a very achieveable goal. Before this training, I had only run 6.25 miles once and afterwards I was hurt. Doubling down seemed far fetched, but I felt like I was ready for it. I made it my plan to run the Santa Hustle Half-Marathon in Galveston, Texas. This run would coincide nicely with Christmas break.

I also did not want to do this journey alone. I figured 20 weeks of running and working towards a goal could get pretty lonely, so I peer-pressured my sister Kim into running with me. We both were at a similar level of fitness before this journey started and both felt up for the challenge. We kept each other accountable for running and keeping in shape. We mostly had to internet shame because she was/is in College Station and I was/am in DC.

Spoiler alert: I finished!

The previous race's injuries made my training plan from 0-13.1 miles very slow. I mean what usually takes "normal" runners to train for a full marathon, I trained for a half. In layperson's terms, that is 20 weeks of training with a vacation in the middle. I followed this plan. I am a big fan of having cross-training involved, and that plan allows a bunch of it. I get bored easily if I have to just run. Considering my end goal, I realize that previous statement sounds silly.

Twenty weeks flew by pretty quickly and before I knew it, race day was upon us. We spent the night in Galveston before the race in a pretty sad and smelly beach house. That was a whole situation. Kim and I woke up early and topped off our carbohydrate supplies and put our game faces on. My training plan topped off at 12 miles, but that was weeks ago. I was a bit nervous about completing all 13 miles. As soon as the race started, I ran quickly. I mean a minute under my usual race quickly. I was not prepared for that. I would have to say the hardest mile would have been the 13th mile. I did not have a bunch left in me. I still finished and didn't walk any of the race. I consider that a victory. I did have really beaten up feet among other ailments.

I will say that if I run another half-marathon (and I will), I will make sure I train for the actual 13 mile run. This way I have no doubts in my mind that I can do it. Also, a word of advice, Focus Foxies, do not attempt to go full marathon too soon. There is a point in every half-marathon training that you think you can go the full distance. This usually happens before you reach 10 miles. Training  is really tough on your body and your social life. I can't tell you how many times I was at home on Friday night or couldn't move Sunday because of soreness and fatigue. I mean I was constantly tired.

I believe it was worth it.  To know that you beaten what was once impossible in your mind is a very powerful feeling. A feeling, I don't want to give up any time soon.