I did it... I ran a 1/2 marathon

I ran a half marathon in Florida all by my SELF! Think: "I am women hear me roar!"

Yes, this morning, I participated in the Rock Your Socks Virtual Half Marathon. As some of you read, I had been debating on whether or not I was going to do the 10k or half marathon. I am in West Palm Beach, Florida on a trip that I won in the Gazette Healthy Challenge (first women in the 5 year history of the competition to win). I figured I needed to get a long run in today, so I might as well do the half marathon instead of the 10k on a trip I won for losing weight!

I was nervous to run in Florida... a strange place. I had talked with hotel staff about where the safe places were. I mean getting 6 miles in is no big deal, but finding 13.1 safe miles to run in a new place is a bit trickier. With my phone in my back pocket, directions from the concierge, I headed out. (Note: since I did not bring my water bottle and holsters, I decided to purchase a belt here at lulumon athletics. I love it).

I decided just to run up PGA Blvd and see where the road took me. I just have to say that Florida is VERY flat here and the best thing at 6am are the sprinklers. Every time I felt over heated, I just ran through one and felt great. I ended up on Mirasol "Trail" which basically was a concrete path around a golf course. It was nice and if I had room to carry my camera, I would have. There were some stunning gardens and wild life.

At the end of Mirasol Trail, Lola read 4.78. Ugh... so if I ran back, it would not be enough. I decided to just run back and then figure it out. At least if I decided to bail, I would be closer to the hotel. I took some energy chews (I do not remember the name now) about every 2 miles after mile 4. I think they helped. I also put G2 in my new water bottles. Every time I hydrated or took a chew, I walked. I did not have a hard time starting back up though.

On the way back, I tried to run in this gated community (thinking that it would be safe), but the gate guard said I couldn't... because you know how unsafe a runner could be. That little detour gave me another mile. I think trying to figure out how I was going to get all 13.1 miles in was the ONLY thing that kept me going. It was hard doing it all by myself in a strange area. I ran by several "ponds" that said: "No fishing. No Swimming. No boating. Possible alligator living here." I started to wonder if alligators were fast on land. I know they are pretty fast in the water. I wondered how many runners had been eaten by alligators. There was NO ONE else (well, one biker who ran me off the trail - it was a 6 foot wide trail and he ran me off!!!) on the trail, so I started to wonder if the alligator was already full having consumed another runner. Or maybe a biker... that served that biker for trying to push me off the trail (but where did his bike go?)! It is funny where your mind goes around 9 & 10 miles. I spotted a gas station and wasn't sure if there would be another, so I decided to stop, rinse off a little and tinkle before finishing the last 3 miles.

After this stop, it was hard to get my mojo going. My pace for mile 11 was 11:14. But with only 2 left, I started to pick it up. I ran around a little community that had a fitness trail. The trail was made of sand and every 20 feet there was some sort of exercise to do like squats or pull ups or jumps. I thought that perhaps if I wasn't running 13 miles, it might have been fun... but it wouldn't be fun today. The nice sand path felt great on my feet instead of the concrete.

By mile 12, I was out of G2 and energy chews, so I headed into the hotel to get water and decided to finish the rest on the Mill. It was actually easier because the Mill kept me moving. I might have run them slower outside. Plus the exercise room was so cool compared to the humid Florida temp.

Final time: 2:18:52. I doubt it will even come close to winning. But it was my first half marathon and I am PLEASED with my time. Here I am exhausted!

I stretched for like 20 minutes afterwards and then headed to Panera Bread for a nice breakfast bagel with my friend M. I enjoyed EVERY bite and did not feel guilty.

I hope you had a nice long run today or you will have one tomorrow. I'm home: Maryland - the state of hills (not flat areas), pine and oak trees (not palm trees) and asphalt paths (not concrete ones).

13.1 miles, baby!!!