Matt and Shelby: Country Music Marathon

2^nd half marathon is in the bag baby!

Well, I have now completed my second ½ marathon. The Country Music Marathon was a lot different from Memphis. For one, it was 28 degrees at the St. Jude’s Marathon and we had beautiful warm weather in Nashville. The start was much more exciting in Nashville. There were a lot more participants and it was a much bigger production. The race began at 7:00 a.m. on West End. I was at Coral 8, right in front of J. Alexander’s. I could see the Start and the finish was way behind me. People were lined up as far as I could see down West End. There were helicopters flying around over head hovering to catch all the excitement on film. You could hear the propellers working hard to keep them still. Even over the warm up music. And we were nervous, pumped, and ready to go.

We started about 10 minutes behind the front runners. The championchip sensors rang as Ashley, I, and about 1,000 other runners ran over the mats to begin our timing chips. I found my husband along the end of mile 1; ran up and rubbed his tummy. He grinned (I think I surprised him). Then we continued on, down West End. We turned on 12^th Ave and ran past the Tin Roof, up to the round about, then up music row. Because there were so many runners, it was a little cramped at times. There was one section of the course where you only had one lane of the road and runners who had started ahead of you’re passing you in the other lane. The Kenyans ran by us and I yelled and whooped like John Goodman watching a Cubs game on Roseanne. They were bookin’ it. The winner finished 26.2 miles in 2:13:52. People, that is an average of 5 minute miles over 26.2 miles!!!!! We passed our friend Dean who was running the full marathon that started in Coral 2 and he seemed to be doing well.

When we got under I 440 and over by Woodmont and Granny White. I started losing Ashley in the crowds. This made me nervous, because she and I are in these things together. We train together, we start together, we finish together, and we’re each others motivation. I would drop back and find her, then I would lose her again, then I would find her again. It was crazy how many people there were. And how many hills there were. Some of the wheelchair racers were having difficulty with the hills. I passed one who was having a tough time on this one hill. He was grunting in pain trying to push on his wheels. I can’t imagine the arm strength that would take. I also passed some Chi Omega’s cheering the runners on. I love the spectators cheering on their moms, dads, friends, and wives :) I’m all about a random stranger giving me a cup of water, or a high five! Hieee Fiee-Va (Borat style)!

I saw my hubby again around mile 9.5, and remembered I had not told him were to meet me at the end, so I ran over to tell him (that’s when he snapped the lovely picture of me ;) I found Ashley again and asked her how she was doing. I decided to run side by side with my running partner till the end. By mile 11, I was looking forward to the end that was still 2.1 miles away. We were at the bicentennial mall and I knew we still had to go up to the capitol and across the bridge to get to LP field. I wish I had not known how far that really was, but I did. I also knew this meant more up hill, as if there had not been enough already. I had been training with hills, but this course was incline, after incline. They were mostly gradual, but they popped up throughout the whole course. The finish line was a wonderful sight, and so was my hubby standing there smiling at me.

I had two three goals for this race: 1) to not walk AT ALL 2) to feel better at the end, than I did at the end of my 1^st half marathon, and 3) to finish around 2 hours.

I met my first goal. I didn’t walk, not even once. I’ve noticed that some people who walk a little sometimes beat me. But for me, walking is not an option, I just don’t want to.

I also met my second goal. I did not have to limp home, soak in the hot tub, or groan like a grandpa every time I moved. I didn’t have any ankle, knee, or back pain. Good shoes and better training did the trick. The point is to enjoy myself, not torture myself. Before August of last year running was punishment, but now it is fun. It makes me feel good, healthy, and strong (like I could conquer anything). Its one hour of the day that I have a clear mind. I still had to sack out for quite a nap. I also learned a valuable lesson after Memphis, do not to discard the space blanket too early. They give you those things for a reason, don’t throw them away right after getting them. I do have one small injury if you consider a tiny bruise an injury. I don’t, but in the interest of full disclosure, I tied my shoe a bit too tight and it left a little bruise on the top of my foot where the laces were.

My third goal I fell I bit short of, but it was in no way a failure. 2 hours 10 minutes (almost 11). It was in sight. But Ashley and I will get there. I did cut 15 minutes off of my Memphis time, and finished in the top 1/3. I’m really proud of how well we did. I’m already looking for another one I could do before school starts. Next year, I probably won’t be able to do any with my school schedule. Working all day, going to school at night (till 10:00) and trying to run 15-25 miles a week; is not going to happen next year. But I definitely have been bitten by the ½ marathon bug.