They call me 'Broken Turtle'

Seattle Half Marathon Experience...Finally!

Yep.  That's me.  Somewhere along this process we all (the group I've been training with) decided we needed nicknames that we would have embroidered on the sleeves of our matching running shirts.  I knew what mine would be right away...'Turtle.'  I felt it matched me perfectly being the absolute slowest one of the bunch.  Well, when my shin splints hit, relapse happened and a few other bumps (including a baby bump) in the training road occurred, it seemed fitting to add the 'broken.'  Don't think I will be known by this name from now on but I will be reminded of this whole experience every time I see that name on the bright, can't miss me, yellow shirt!

The crew all jammed together for an elevator pic at the expo.

(Ron, Jake, Cody, Brittany, Veronica, Me, Jill and Doug)

We took off Friday morning around 10 to make it to the running expo before the traffic hit Seattle from the Sounders and Mariners games that would be happening that evening.  The 6 runners and our 2 cheerleaders piled in to 2 cars and weaved in and out of traffic until making a stop for lunch.  Half at Arby's the other half at Round Table (no pizza, just massive salads).  After more car dodging and almost causing Jake a few heart attacks, we made it to the rooftop parking of the Qwest Event Center and began our laps around the expo.

The main objective of course was to pick up our packets with our bib numbers, tracking tags and then our shirts.  We all got separated and experienced different things in the large and spacious building.

Doug and I ran into the Dahlin's who had already made the rounds.  They were smart and got there early before the crazy crowd.

I knew that one thing I really wanted to check out was any exhibit that had sports tape.  We crossed by the Sports Authority section and noticed a line for this guy.  We will call him Jim.  Jim is a physical therapist who volunteers his time to come and do these things and help provide relief to the injured runner.  I stood in line...but then got tired of waiting.  We walked around a bit, ate just a few free samples of things, and came back around.  The line was even longer.  But, I was willing to wait.  If this tape could provide even the smallest relief from the pain of my shin splints, it would be worth it.  So, I sat on this table, told him my woes and he taped me right up with KT Tape.  I couldn't tell any difference right away seeing as I wasn't in a whole lot of pain at the moment but I hopped off the table with my fingers crossed that when I started to run the next morning, it would magically take at least some of the pain away.  I had high hopes, but was trying to stay realistic.

Cody bought these at the expo.  I kept looking down at his feet and thinking he wasn't wearing any shoes.  They are a little different, but he said they are really comfy.

We headed to check in at our hotel and settle in a bit before gorging ourselves on carbs for dinner.  No body knew where they wanted to eat but it was finally decided that we would head to BJ's.  Lots of variety on the menu.  So, we went.  And then we waited.  And waited.  And waited.  Walked around the mall a bit.  And then waited some more.  Saw a guy puke right outside the restaurant.  We were all getting a little queasy and were so thankful when someone finally came to clean it up.  And then we waited some more.  We were almost past the point of hungry when we made it to our table.  But all was well when we scarfed down chicken fettuccine alfredo or a massive baked potato.  We left bloated and happy.

Seeing as we needed to be at the race around 6:30 am, we all hit the sack with the nerves beginning to take over.  At least for me anyway.  Doug wasn't nervous at all.  All I could think of was whether or not I would be able to actually finish. 

Morning came quickly and before I knew it we were on our way.  We all piled into our Suburban and tried to find the best way in.  As much as the city and the police were trying to keep people from pulling off on the freeway and dropping passengers, they had no chance of stopping the hundreds of people (including us) that were doing it.  That was just the easiest way.  We walked a ways before reaching the starting line.  Everyone but me was in corral 8.  I was clear back in 30. The corral you are in is based on your estimated finish time.  Hence...the 'turtle' nickname.

We were all visiting and stretching in corral 8 and then I had to book it to the very long port-a-potty line.  Unfortunately, I was still there when the starting gun fired.  And I stayed there for a while.  The corrals would go every minute and a half or so and I counted while I waited my turn in the potty. When it got to number 8, I whispered a "good luck my friends" to everyone and an "I love you babe, you got this" to my man.  So bummed I didn't get to actually tell them those things and hug them all in person.  Dang bladder.

I had plenty of time to get back to my number 30 position but opted to jump into 27 instead and did some more stretching. We eked our way forward as my goose bumps formed goose bumps from the nerves and the cold.  My mind was so full of doubt at this point I couldn't even really think too clearly.  I was a little worried about how hungry I would get during this whole thing.  I found out I was with child (6 weeks along) a week  and a half before the race.  Hadn't been experiencing any morning sickness, just HUNGER.  When my body needed food, it needed food. During one of my cycling days after only 12 miles on the bike I needed food right then. Had to stop and fill my belly.  So, race morning, I made sure I packed some snacks in my little running pack and prayed they would suffice for the 13.1 miles.

As my group got closer, my bladder got fuller.  Dang it!!  I was one corral behind the starting line and made a b-line for a couple of port-a-potties.  Low and behold, they were empty...Hallelujah!!  As I ran over there, my shins screamed at me.  My heart sank and a little bit of my hope escaped.  I finished up, ran back to my starting spot and my shins screamed again.  I will admit, I got a little teary-eyed.  But

I was committed.  No turning back now.  It was finally our turn and we were off. 

I obviously knew the pain in my shins was gonna happen now, and it did, immediately.  But oddly enough, it wasn't unbearable.  I felt it mostly in my left leg.  But by some sweet grace the pain decreased and then faded completely.  I wasn't even to the 2 mile marker and felt not a twinge of what I had been experiencing the past 5 weeks.  I was elated.  I was running with no pain and I just couldn't believe it.  Was it the KT Tape?  Was it the crazy praying I had done?  I believe it was both.  I actually felt pretty good and started to really think I was gonna finish and finish faster than last time.  What could stop me now?  Oh yeah, I hadn't actually trained to run 13.1 miles.  I only had reached 8.  That could put a damper on things.  But, no matter...I kept running.  I was really concentrating, but also took the time to high 5 most of the cheer leading squads that were yelling out for everyone.  Read some pretty funny signs and noticed every person that passed me.  As with all my runs before, there came the 'auto pilot' point.  Unfortunately, it didn't last very long.  I think around mile 7, I was feeling a bit tired, but still doing OK.  I made sure I hydrated at every water station and listened to my body very closely.  I kept waiting for my bladder to over fill again, but it didn't.  I apparently was using every thing I had and was putting into my system.  Another, Hallelujah!  I hate stopping to pee during a race.

The praises ceased though around mile 8.  I had felt a little hint of something in my left hip.  But tried to not think about it.  Well, it got to the point where I couldn't help BUT think about it.  It was bad.  Apparently my right hip was feeling left out, so it joined in as well.  Oh, and then my right knee, my toes and my back.  I hurt everywhere...BUT my shins.  I think my back was hurting because of the way I was running.  I was compensating for the insane amount of pain from my left hip.  Mile 9 was a crazy hill and a continuous incline through the Alaskan Way Viaduct.  I dig running through this tunnel and turned my music off just like last time to listen to the wave of yelling that happens. 

  I was a little distracted by my pain so it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as last time.

The miles seemed to be coming even slower and I just wanted to be done.  I teared up a few more times but kept telling myself, "You are almost done!  You got this!"  I was pretty amazed that I was still moving.  The pain was almost debilitating.  My toes felt like they were bleeding and a few of them were numb.  I kept thinking I would be pulling off bloody socks when I was done.  I was feeling pretty broken at this point.  But my shins were doing awesome!!

Mile 11.  I was on a bit of a straight away coming into down town when I heard my name being called.  I turned to the left and saw my friends and my hubby.  They had been finished for quite some time and came to cheer me on.  I loved seeing them there and hearing my name.  Unfortunately, I couldn't really express that.  I was hurting so much and so very tired that I barely mustered a smile at them.  But my heart was leaping.  It really was.  And again, the tears showed up.

The last 2 miles took forever.  I had been keeping track of my time on my handy dandy watch but didn't know exactly because I had forgotten to start it at the start.  I tried hard to push to get a better time but as I slowly watched that chance decreasing, I got a little discouraged. But, I kept reminding myself of how much better I was doing than anyone thought I would and tried to be happy about that. 

At last I saw the finish line.  I started to shake with emotion and I'm sure some spectator saw the emotions on my face.  I was almost done.  Somehow, someway I had a little juice left in me and squeezed hard to 'sprint' to the finish.  My friends were there...didn't hear them...but they were there yelling and cheering.  My husband was going crazy I guess.  I wish so very much that I would have heard them.  It would have made a difference because I thought they weren't there.  Makes me a bit sad.  I should have heard them.  I inched closer and closer, and finally I was finished.  I was so very glad to just be done,  to not have to run any further.  But as soon as I stopped running and stood still for the slightest of seconds, my pain sky rocketed and I was barely able to walk.  I wasn't soaking in the feeling of accomplishment at this moment, I couldn't.  My mind was fuzzy.  I got my medal and stood in line for my finishers photo.  I don't even remember if I smiled.  I saw my honey and just wanted to get to him.  I had been thinking about him the entire time and hoped so much that it had gone well for him.  I crossed over the barrier and went straight for his arms.  We both cried a little and he told me how proud he was of me. 

I asked how it had gone for him...and he didn't want to talk about it.  It didn't go as well as he had hoped.  It was a difficult run for him and he was extremely frustrated because he knew he could have done better.  He had hurt his knee a week before the race and I prayed that it wouldn't bother him...and it didn't.  It's just that other things did.  But,  I believe he did amazing.  I am insanly proud of him.  The progress that he made during his training was remarkable.  He was running my pace and increased his speed so much that he was able aim for a sub 2 (under 2 hours) finish.  He missed it by 12 minutes.  So, he will tie on his running shoes again and shoot for what he believes he can do.  I know he can do it.

Ron and Cody came in pretty close to each other.  I can't remember their official time but it was something like 1:47 and 1:48.  Crazy fast in my eyes.

Jake and Brit came in even faster than that.  All four of them were pretty happy with the way it went and their finishing times.

I'm sure that everyone was sick of waiting around for me and ready to leave...but I made them wait even longer.  I needed to just take a few minutes.  No one complained because I think they all felt sorry for me and they were used to waiting.  They had been waiting for me from the very beginning of this journey. 

I wasn't exactly sure what my time was.  I had forgotten to start my watch at the very beginning so it was a few minutes faster than what it should have been.  I stopped it as I crossed the finish line at 2:28...my last half marathon time.

What would we do without our cheerleaders?  Thank you Veronica and Jill!!  Sure love you two ladies!

The Crew with our nicknamed embroidered shirts

Brittany (Firecracker), Jake (Crash), Me (Broken Turtle), Doug (Tail Gunner), Veronica (not sure if I should share her nickname at this point in time), Ron (Sarge), Jill (Biker Boss) and Cody (Pacer)

Since we didn't get a group shot before or at the start I was adamant on getting one at the end. 

There we all stood.  Finished with what we had all worked so hard to accomplish.  Done with 13.1 miles.  Some happy, some with a sense of disappointment.  Some feeling like they could have kept going, some feeling like they had absolutely nothing left to give.  But, all of us had our finishers medals.  All of us, in our own way, champions.

Congratulations, my friends!

I am so glad that I shared this experience with my best friend.  You really can't grasp what it is like until you do it yourself.  He got to feel it this time.  We really helped each other along.  He was why I kept going.  This was nothing close to easy for me and from the very beginning I wanted to quit.  But Doug would just keep talking me through my doubts and tears.  He kept encouraging me to keep going and just do the best I could.  I really truly could not have done this without him.  I am so thankful that he and a few other people believed in me way more than I believed in myself.

Because I had made everyone wait, we were able to get free sandwiches from Jimmy Johns.  Just like last time.  So very good.  We started back towards the car and I was really wishing for a wheelchair.  My body was done.  It took us a bit but we finally got back to the car.  Everyone was in a hurry to get a shower before we had to check out from our hotel rooms.  6 people and only 2 showers made the process a little slow and of course I was the one to make everyone wait.  I should have showered first seeing as I take the longest.  But it gave everyone a chance to rest and some even napped a bit. See, how thoughtful of me.

We set off for home with our hunger pains increasing.  We stopped in at Famous Dave's BBQ.  We just visited and discussed the days events, shared our experiences and stuffed our faces.  Good times. 

We got back in our vehicles and hunkered down for the ride home.  Thankfully, Jill didn't mind that I needed to stretch my legs out across her lap the whole way home.  I iced my hip and knee with something from her cooler. 

We saw this on the freeway, and I thought it was funny and it made us all smile.  The dog looked totally happy.

It took a few days, but I was finally able to walk a little more normally.  The sore muscles faded but the experience is still very fresh in my mind.  When I looked up my official time it was 2:30:42.  Just 2 minutes over my last half.  There is a part of me that is surprised and proud that I did so much better than expected. But then there is that part of me that's  "REALLY???  2 MINUTES!!  Couldn't I have just pushed a little harder at some point during it all and made up that 2 minutes?"  But, I will take it.

Because after all, I did indeed cross the finish line on my own two legs.

And that is something for me to be proud of.