This year, my goal was to get serious about my running again. I normally don’t like to say that I am a serious runner, because my work schedule doesn’t allow me the flexibility to run as much as I need to reach BQ Qualifying levels. Typically, when people ask me how I was able to run as many marathons as I have I reply back with, I am a lazy athlete. I have always done the bare minimum in training, and really just show up the day of and hope I don’t hurt to badly when I finish. Unfortunately, now that I am getting older, the bare minimum may not cut it anymore. Plus, I really want to be able to run a full marathon without walking once in my life.

Let me make it clear: there is NO SHAME in running slow, taking multiple breaks, or walking during a marathon. To be able to even move forward 26.2 miles is an accomplishment in itself. Anyone who is courageous enough to sign up for a marathon is an MVP in my book. Similar to what chef Auguste Gusteau says in Ratatouille, “Anyone can cook run a marathon.”

With that said, I went into my first half marathon, SHE RUNS Grand Rapids of the year, with a goal to get myself to the point I could maybe run the entire 2023 Marine Cops Marathon. (Yup! That is right, marathon no. 8 is all booked! See you in the Fall Virginia/DC).

Packet Pick-Up

A nice part about SHE RUNS GR is that it is put on by Gazelle Sports. So starting the weekend before the race, they had reps come to various Michigan Gazelle Sports for packet-pick up.

I got an email the day before saying they would be at my local Gazelle, and that if I wanted I could pick my packet up there. Since my parents were in town visiting, I had us swing by on our way back from lunch.

In order to hand out race packets this way, the Bibs were not personalized and instead you were assigned a number (buy the QR code) and it was liked to your registration there.

With the bib, we got our race shirts (which btw accidently spelled Michigan Miichigan) and some stickers. They also had boxed water and snacks, plus some personalized New Balance Gear for the race to purchase separately. I didn’t buy anything there because I purchased the embroidered full zip when I registered as I needed another warm layer.

Night Before

G and I drove to Grand Rapids the night before, and stayed with some college friends – although neither of them actually went to our University…so I guess they are just friends we met during our time at college. After catching up, and unpacking my race stuff, we headed out for a walk around their neighborhood and then headed to Linear Restaurant for dinner. Apparently, GR was super busy this weekend with GVSU’s graduation and the AAU state volleyball tournament. So when I originally booked the reservation, only 7:45pm was available. I took the slot then called and left a message saying that if there were any cancellations earlier in the day to let us know. Thankfully, around 11am they texted me stating that they had some availability and to let them know what time I wanted to come in, so we ended up getting a table for 6pm.

After dinner, I instantly went to bed, while G stayed up watching a movie. However, I was up just about every two hours worried about over sleeping for my alarm.

Race Day

I started race day at 5:30am. Were we stayed was only a 1.4miles from the start line. I thought about using that as my warm up to get there, but G convinced me to let him drive me there. Start was at 7:30am so we aimed to arrive at 7.

You can check out my GRWM on my Tik Tok but…. for breakfast, I had Sweet Potato and Beet Hash that I packed to reheat. Then, I got dressed and began stretching and rolling out. The day before, I potentially overstretched my left hamstring, so I was really taking that one easy and wanted to ensure it was warmed up correctly.

I arrived to the start line and did an easy warm up jog, with a few strides added in at the end to confirm my hamstring was doing alright.

My plan for this race was to be a little more strategic; and use it as a tempo training run than a race run. The Bayshore Half Marathon over Memorial Day weekend is when I really wanted to do a “race” run, so I wanted this one to help better prepare.

Mile 1: 10:04/mile
Mile 2: 9:56.3/mile
Mile 3: 9:06.9/mile
Mile 4: 9:47.7/mile
Mile 5: 9:47.7/mile
Mile 6: 9:37.8/mile

10K Time: 01:05:07

I joined the race corral near the 10:00 minute Pacers. I was hoping to stick with them for at least the first 6-7 miles, then try to coast the rest of the race. When the starter gun hit, I was probably 5 yards behind the group, but I was determine to maintain that spacing. My slight distance behind the group was very helpful, especially during the first two miles as the mass slowly began to space out. Since there was only 1 corral, Those who were newer to racing (which the purpose of the SHE RUNS Half is to promote fitness and building women and those that identify as women to be able to run their first half marathon), potentially didn’t know where to stand in relation to the start line.

Which, not related to this race actually reminds me of a funny story about the first race I had ever participated in as a 11/12 year old. My mom was running a 5K and she had signed me up to run the 1k. I was so nervous to not stand with my mom in the corrals cause I had never been at a race before, so I stood up with her and took off with her. Well the 1k was actually suppose to be a 1k WALK which took off 30 minutes after the 5k start. When my mom and I got to the 1k turn around point, I turned around to start running back to the finish line. When I ran up to the finish line (~6mins later), they were still setting up the ribbon for the 5K runner. The race volunteers were so confused. I was so confused. None of us knew what I was suppose to do so I didn’t even cross the finish line and just ran and found my dad.

Mile 7: 10:08/mile
Mile 8: 10:28/mile
Mile 9: 15:40/mile
Mile 10: 13:05/mile
Mile 11: 10:57/mile
Mile 12: 10:19/mile
Mile 13: 9:59.7/mile

Total Time: 02:19:18.81

ANYWAY!!! I maintained my spacing with the 10min pacers for the first 2.3 miles, then we approached the top of a rather large hill, with the only way to go but down. In one tenth of a mile, we dropped 70ft of elevation. I started to pick up speed, but I noticed the group was not. What I learned the few months I had a marathon running coach was that on downhills, really lean forward into the slope. Maintain small quick steps, and try your best not to pull back and resist the force as it applies more pressure to the joints. I quickly apologized to the group for speeding past them but I sored down the hill making the third mile I ran a 9minute mile. I maintained the speed I had picked up after the hill for the next 3 miles, sticking around a 9:40min/mile time on each mile.

After mile 6, I began to slow down. This was originally the distance I was hoping to maintain the up tempo run for. I debated about still pushing it at this limit, but my mental game was not there anymore. G said he would be near the 5 mile mark, but when I passed it and he wasn’t there (cause I was running WAY TOO FAST) I was slightly disappointed. I decided to easy back on the pace and try to coast. However, after once I hit mile 8, I really lost all motivation I had to keep running because at that point, there wasn’t even spectators cheering us on.

I began to walk as soon as I hit the 8 mile mark, and sent G a text stating that I had slowed down. He replied around when I hit the 9 mile mark that they just saw the 9minute pace group pass by there spot. I was a little upset because at this point, the 10minute/10:30minute pace groups had pass me, and the 11 minute pass group just did. I text Garrett about it and his response was “well you are doing great and already over half way there! I’m at the 11 mile mark so I’ll see you soon.” This, combined with a fellow runner cheering me on and saying my outfit was cute, gave me the motivation to begin running again and catch up to the 11minute pace group.

When I approached the 11 mile mark I saw G and our two friends waiting and cheering. I ran up screaming “YAY! YOU MADE IT!” and gave him a quick kiss and hug before taking off again. This gave me the boost I needed to finish the marathon in under 2:20:00. I slowly began picking up more and more speed until I was in a full on sprint by the time I crossed the finish line.

02:19:18