Fitmark Ambassador Megan Hanson shares her first half marathon experience and encourages you to just get out and do something you’ve always wanted to do
Heart pounding… nerves at their max… that was me when I ran my first ever half marathon along with my hubby running his first. Have you ever experienced something so exhilarating that you are excited to wake up before the sun to train? For me I have to have goals that are challenging and excited me to push to my max.
POP! Our wave gun fire went off and I was on pace to hit what I had been training for, for the past 3 months. Winding through the Denver Zoo in that first part took my mind off of my nerves and kept me going. I was ahead of my 2:30 pacer guy which felt good… but it also meant I was ahead of my training pace. Since this was my first time doing a race over 6 miles I wasn’t sure if this was bad or good. I had also been training with hills around in my neighborhood and a huge part of this race was pretty flat. As my mind raced I turned my music up to help drown out my thoughts.
As I was heading into 2 hours, into my 10th mile, my toes started going numb. “Uh oh!” I thought. “What could be going on?” My mind got out of the zone. Never had I had this happen and I had done two 13 mile runs weeks before and knew I could get through it. My calves began to get tight and soon I was having to walk. I saw my pacer guy pass me up and that was enough motivation to push through this. I never did catch up to my pacer guy, and I crossed the finish line at 2:36 for my very first half marathon.
I guess we can prepare and prepare, but we don’t know what is ahead until we just do it. I think going through with the unknown makes you a stronger person, makes you continue to push through your comfort zone and past the mental blocks we tend to give ourselves. I am training for my second half that is in four weeks, and my lookout is a little different. Yes, I would love to get a better time, but just to cross that finish line again will be enough to keep pushing because getting out of that comfort zone makes me stronger each time.
Stay fit,
Megan Hanson
Fitmark Ambassador 2013
