Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon
The day finally arrived! Today, 10.10.10, was the day I ran my first half marathon!
I woke up super early this morning at 5:45AM to eat breakfast, which was two whole grain waffles topped with almond butter and cherry butter.
These held me over pretty well. I got dropped off at the start at 7:30AM.
Despite the photo, I was FREEZING. It was like 35 degrees this morning, no lie. I had worn an oversized sweatshirt to throw away once I got warmed up, but I took it off for the picture! 😉
After waiting around and freezing my butt off, the race finally started at 8:30AM sharp. And off I was to run my first 13.1 mile race!
I felt REALLY good, except I started getting a sharp pain in my right foot at the beginning of the race. It actually came and went for the entire time, but I ran through it. I also felt it behind my knee, but I’m not sure if its related to the foot pain. It actually hurts to walk on it right now.
I finally threw off my sweatshirt at about mile 1.5, when I got warmed up.
I didn’t need my headphones for the first seven miles, and when we got onto the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path, I put them on, but then took them off a minute later because I thought I heard some guy say to take them off. I was surprised that I didn’t need/desire music while I was running!
I stopped at mile 7.5 for water and a Clif Shot Gel and started back up. I continued running at around a 8:45-9:30 pace for almost the entire race. I even hit 8:30 a couple of times. I only walked through the remaining water stops for about 30 seconds, and then took maybe two more walking breaks about 30 seconds each, just to stretch out my foot that was hurting pretty bad by that point.
At mile 13, I pushed up through, and booked it to the finish line!
I finished my first half marathon in a shocking 2 hours and 4 minutes, according to my Garmin.
I am FLOORED by my pace for this race. I guess they aren’t joking when they say the course is “fast and flat”, there were literally NO hills…and maybe two big downhills in Watervliet. It was the PERFECT course for my first half marathon. If it wasn’t for the pain in my right leg/foot, it would have been 100% perfect.
Chris and my family were waiting for me at the finish! 🙂
And then I saw Katie, who finished her first half marathon as well! I think she said she finished in 2 hours and 14 minutes?! Amazing job girl! Jenn also ran the race, but I didn’t get to meet up with her.
We are awesome!!
After re-fueling with some Gatorade and a banana, went back to my car because there was something extremely important I had to do…
I had to show off my accomplishment with my newly earned 13.1 bumper magnet! I’m so proud!
I headed back to Chris’ to change into my new tshirt and show of my medal!
I’m officially a half marathoner!
My final garmin stats:
Phew! The race went by SO fast! I can’t believe its over. I think I’m still in shock that I finally ran *MY* race.
After changing, I headed to meet Katie for brunch at New World Bistro, one of my favorite restaurants.
I was completely famished, so I ordered the Mediterra Omelet, which came with home fries. The omelet had local goat feta cheese, tomato, spinach, and red pepper inside, and was simply incredible. The omelet was topped with an olive tapenade, which tasted great as well. It was salty and delicious and went great with the goat feta.
This omelet actually didn’t hold me over…I was still hungry. So I ordered a celebratory peach mimosa…
And then I had to order one of the dessert specials, the magic cookie ice cream sandwich, with chocolate ice cream.
This was definitely enough for two people. I ate half of it.
It was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had–the magic cookie was rich with chocolate, almost fudge like, and the crust had sweet coconut crispyness. Heaven on Earth.
Honestly, today has been one of the best days of my life. I’ve accomplished something I’ve been dreaming of, and something I never though possible. Thank you to everyone who ever encouraged me and told me I could do this, because it means so much to me that you all believed in me. Thank you. I can’t wait to do it again! 🙂
Share this:
21 Comments
abbi
Fantastic race! Congratulations on the excellent accomplishment! Enjoy the high! 🙂
Liz @ LBBakes
Congrats! I can’t believe you ran in long sleeves and tights though – I would have been so hot!! Love the bumper sticker. 🙂
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston
Congrats Jen!! What a wonderful time too!! Awesome there weren’t any hills — wow!
aunt Louise
Great job Jen, What a beautiful, young woman i am so proud of you. keep up the good work. Love and kisses.
David H.
Congrats! And thanks for taking part in #runchat tonight!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
Congrats Jen! SO happy to see you wore the shirt and medal to brunch 🙂
Now go ice your foot.
Katie H.
Hooray! You did an amazing job! After I left brunch I went to Fleet Feet and got my own 13.1 sticker haha 😀
I agree with Cynthia- ice it up! 🙂
Brooke Schantz, MS, RD, LDN
Congrats Jen! That is so exciting! I am happy you took great pics of the day. I wish I would have done that for my first half! Did you tear up at the finish?
Suzanne
Congratulations. I love reading race stories. They are so inspiring!
Sarah
WAY TO GO JENN!!! Glad it went well. Congrats on your first 13.1! It’s a great distance. And that’s an awesome time!
Thetreadmilldiaries
Phenomenal job with your race. Great time too! You must feel a huge sense of satisfaction.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing
Congratulations, great job!
Christina
Great job!!!! Congrat’s on the run! I can’t believe you didn’t need your head phones, that means your mind was definitely in the game! Awesome job!
Nicki
Way to go, Jen! I have run three half marathons since March and still haven’t come close to this time.
Heather
so proud of you!
and cant wait to face my first 15K with you (and THANKS to you and your motivation!!! 🙂 )
Chris's Mom
What a great accomplishment! You are amazing! Keep up the good work! A half marathon is a respectable running distance! You are in great shape and an inspiration to others.
Sara
Hi Jen! I’m not sure if I’ve ever commented on your blog before, I only catch posts here and there, but you’re definitelý on my reading list now. I’m another Capital District runner and the Mohawk Hudson was my first half too! I’m still flying high from it. From her pictures, it looks like I was running right near Katie the whole time and never knew it. You’re a speedy girl though and were ahead of me! I finished in 2;11. I haven’t been able to meet you Capital District ladies yet but hope to make it to a meetup soon. Congrats on the half and I hope to run into you at a race soon!
Tanya
Woohoo – congrats!!! Such a great achievement and it looks like you had a great day afterwards!
Mary
AH congrats on an amazing race!! You’ll be hooked now! when is your next one?
mizunogirl
COngratulations! i found your race report on line when I was searching for information on this race! I’m thinking about doing it as part of my training for a Marathon in November!
It looks great, but really really cold for a Florida Girl like me!!! DId the temp warm up? and how long was the “trail portion” anything with “trail portion can give me the heebie jeebies. But we figure the foliage will be lovely and the running better.
mizunogirl recently posted..Marathon Race Report
Jen
thanks! this race was incredible. the trail is completely paved, so there was nothing to worry about footing wise, maybe watch out for some stray branches and leaves here and there. But I highly recommend this half marathon! Its peaceful and was perfect for my first ( think fast and FLAT ). The temperature was perfect, although pretty cold at the start (in the 30s, but that’s expected for october around here) but warmed up during the race to about 50-ish, I think. I brought a “throw away” sweatshirt to toss after mile 1, which worked out nicely.