My First Half Marathon

Left: Hawk Island boardwalk, just before the 9-mile mark. Photo credit: Dane Robison. Below: Finish line.

I did it. I ran the Capital City River Run half marathon this morning and finished it. It took a while — two hours, 18 minutes, and 29 seconds, to be exact — but I finished, and that's what counts. While at the same time exhausting and exhilarating, it was a triumphant moment — a personal victory toward which I'd worked all year. My friend Kate and I committed to running this race in January. I'd wanted to run it last year, but wasn't adequately prepared when race day rolled around. The closest I got to it was watching last year's runners cross the finish line and thinking, "Damn, that could have been me."

"So run it next year," my husband said encouragingly, and I thought, "Yeah, why not?"

But to go into the CCRR as experienced half-marathoners, Kate and I agreed to tackle the MORE race in New York City in April. I was humored by the fact that racers had to be at least 40 years old, or they had to run with a 40-year-old. But in the end, none of it mattered because Kate's mother's best friend turned 60 that day, which was cause for an obligatory celebration on Kate's part, and that put a kibosh on our plan.

Undaunted, I remained committed to my training, demonstrating discipline, stamina, and an uncompromising stick-to-it determination that drove everyone in my household crazy.

"Ready for dinner?" someone would ask. "Nope, I really have to get a run in."

"Wanna see a movie?" another would query. "I'd love to, but I'm due for a long run."

"What do you wanna do this weekend?" came another question. "Run."

You get the point.

I also heard the pride in their voices when they'd tell friends, "She's training for a half marathon," or "She just ran 12 miles today." They'd say it in that feigned, "Oh my God, I know my mom is so weird" tone, but I could tell they were bragging. No, really!

With few exceptions, I ran rain or shine, night and day, and I cut myself absolutely no slack. I'd go out for a pre-run drive to measure distances and plot out routes throughout my neighborhood. When three miles no longer cut it, the world I'd experience on foot grew a little larger. I noticed things for the first time — long forgotten pleasures of the outdoors, like the warmth and sometimes even the brutal heat of the sun; the grace of that one perfect breeze that gave me enough energy to pull off a strong finish; birds flitting about and squabbling in the treetops overhead; my growing familiarity with every part of a particularly challenging hill; the compassion of those with whom I'd shared mile after mile of asphalt, demonstrated everyday by a friendly wave and smile, or by motorists who'd give me a wide berth as they drove by.

It's been a long year, that's for sure, yet I was surprised at how quickly the race came and went. Long, grueling hours in training, thousands of miles under foot, the many pairs of Brooks running shoes I'd replaced — all of it came down to two hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds. No, nothing earth-shattering or particularly noteworthy, and yet so very special.

Next on my agenda: Niketown's "Run Like a Girl" half marathon in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Wanna run a half? Check out the Team Playmakers half-marathon training schedule for intermediate runners (http://playmakers.com/teamplaymakers/ — you'll also find training schedules for runners of all levels and for all types of races).

Did you run the 2008 Capital City River Run? Find yourself at TimeFramePhoto.