We did it! Yesterday was the Lake Placid half marathon in Lake Placid, New York, and I’m so proud (and humbled) to say that we actually did it. Well, let’s be honest, I had no doubt that Ryan would succeed, but I definitely doubted that I would be able to complete it. Yet, here we are – back home, slightly more sore, feeling pretty darn accomplished and crazed enough to want to register for another one. Soon.
Honestly, I’ve never run more than 8 miles straight, so I knew it was going to be a crapshoot going in, but I’m proud to say that I ran 10 miles straight before walking at the first water station. The last few miles were hilly and aggressive, and my mindframe went something like this along the way:
Mile 2 – One big hill down, going out a great, easy pace and feeling strong. Only 11 miles to go!
Mile 3 – Wow. I’m amazing.
Mile 5 – This really isn’t that bad. We should have just entered a full marathon. No big deal.
Mile 8 – Okay, this hurts a little.
Mile 10 – Okay, this hurts a lot.
Mile 12 – I can do anything for 1.1 more miles.
Mile 12.5 – WHY IS THERE A HILL TO THE FINISH LINE?!
Mile 13 – I don’t want to run around the track to finish.
Mile 13.1 – Okay, ow. When’s the next one?
^^^ apres race family photo
Ryan and I definitely need to figure out how to recover better from longer races. We (and especially him) were on the struggle bus all yesterday afternoon. I think that had I done the mileage I did in May back in March, I would have been on a much better footing going into this half, but I’m super excited to see what I can do as I continue upping my mileage.It’s hard, but it’s so rewarding, and my body is changing leaps and bounds the more miles I put on my legs.
Also, unrelated after-race fact: Spencer was wailing with his Oma and Opa as soon as I walked over and had, apparently, refused his bottle during my run. So, 5 minutes post race, I hid in the shade, nursing that ginger man…#motherhood.
^^^ start line – we started at the back
^^^ Lake Placid Olympic ice rink
^^^ future half-marathoner 🙂
I’m so, so thankful that my parents were able to come out to Lake Placid to visit with us and watch their grandson while Ryan and I ran. It was so fun to experience this as a family, and I feel so immensely blessed to have my health and my little family to do this with me. Onwards and upwards, my friends!
PS…does anyone have any post-race recovery tips? I know Ryan, specifically, struggles with his stomach post-race. Honestly, I’m okay – just super sore.
