Lessons Learned From Running 13.1 Part II

I am picking up where I left off in part I sharing lessons I learned while participating in my first half marathon. You can read my first six lessons here. So let's carry on...

LESSON 7: Choose a race that has an unbelievably fun theme!

When I first read about the Diva Half Marathon and 5K, I thought it sounded like it would be fun. Tutus, tiaras, boas, and hunks... oh my! I must admit I do embrace more of my tomboy tendencies then I do the "girlie" side, but this race did sound like fun! I had already planned to travel to North Myrtle Beach with my mom, aunt, sister, and neice, it would definitely be a girls' weekend. I was the only one who would be participating in the race.

The atmosphere race morning was full of energy, very cheerful, and very PINK. Various running groups were meeting up together to take pictures and other runners were posing for solo pictures. You had men, women, and kids adorned in pink and in tutus as they made their way to their pacing areas. One man in a tutu announced that he was supporting his wife in the run as he made his way closer to the front. I was a loner, so I stood alone and just took in the surroundings until a runner approached me asking about my shirt and the breakdown of my miles. After that point I was in and out of conversations with varrious other runners in passing. I even happily took pictures for runners who did not have someone else to capture their starting moment. The music was bumping as runners conversed and returning divas greeted one another happily. Even though I knew absolutely no one else out there, I did not feel alone. The atmosphere was very friendly and welcoming.

The breakdown of my miles dedication for the 13.1 miles for my #miles4change fundraiser

After the playing of the national anthem, one runner came to me and said she was almost in tears after reading the miles dedications on the back of my race shirt. Throughout the run I received encouragement from runners regarding my motivation for running along with my dedication miles through passing conversations or a quick thumbs up. Again, the atmosphere was very fun and upbeat before, during, and after the run. Definitely do not be afraid to register as a solo runner in this event. You will not feel alone!

Lessons Learned From Running 13.1 Part I

I finished my very first half-marathon on Sunday, April 12, 2015! It was the Divas Half Marathon and 5K in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2012 I created a New Years resolution stating that I would train to run a half-marathon to help bring awareness to human trafficking. Needless to say it remained a written goal, but not the beginning of a journey. Instead I foused on the legislative side of human trafficking contacting senators and representatives regarding issues that were arising and legislation in the wings. It was a good thing, but not everything.

In 2013 and 2014 the same resolution arose, but by 2014 I was determined to see it through. I began to train and extend my miles. I downloaded Map My Fitness and started looking for challenges. By the end of May I was running consistently more consistently into June, by July I was nursing an injury! I still have no clue how it happened, I believe it was truly too much, too soon.

 

13.1 Here I Come!

As I prepare to take part in my first half-marathon, I have decided to dedicate my miles to help motivate me to finish as strong as possible. In 2013 it was an idea, in 2014 it was a goal, in 2015 it's about to be reality!

Here are my 13.1 Miles Dedication as I prepare to go #miles4change.

Get Over It!

This year marked year six of participating in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. The run carries you from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina over the beautiful Cooper River Bridge into downtown Charleston, South Carolina. I remember hearing about this run for years as I was growing up in Charleston and watching portions of it on television. It always looked exciting! Of course back then it went over the "newer" of the two older Cooper River Bridges. Nevertheless I thought it would be fun to participate, but the size of the crowd was very intimidating especially when they revealed how many finished, and after awhile it became a faded interest. That is until 2010, when my sister and her team at work signed up to participate and she invited me to take part with them. It was just like I thought it would be, absolutely invigorating and a whole lot of fun! Of course this invitation would open up the possibilities of running that has shifted me into the season I am in now! Amazing the difference one invitation in the right season can make!

A picture taken the Saturday before the run as I "practiced" with my family