The Kauai Marathon

Yesterday, I had the absolutely most AMAZING experience..........participating in my FIRST EVER Half Marathon.  Yes, you heard me correctly........ half........ marathon....... 13.1 miles from start to finish.

What an Experience!!!

First, I had to set my alarm and wake up at the most godly hour...........3:30 a.m. to shower, shave, get dressed, have a bite to eat....all in time to leave the house by 4:15 a.m. to drive to beautiful Poipu on the south side of Kauai.

I arrived in just under 45 minutes and found myself looking for familiar faces in a crowd of over 1700 other participants, family, friends, and spectators.  Of the 1723 registered participants, 481 of them were from Kauai, 47 states and 13 countries were represented.  The fun got started with a little warmup from Boot Camp by Stacy - complete with stretches, jumping jacks, high knees and other fun exercises to get pumped up and the blood flowing.

Then I made my way to the start line.  As I'm waiting for the clock to count down to 6 a.m. I'm taking deep breaths and reminding myself of my three goals.  First, run the first four miles without stopping.  Second, complete the half marathon.......all 13.1 miles of it.  Third, run the half marathon in 2 hrs and 40 minutes.  And then it's time for the count down........ 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.......and we are off.  

It's still dark out ,but as I make my way towards the first mile, the sun begins to rise.  I turn onto the bypass road and continue on thru the first and then second water stations.  After the second water station I turn onto the road known as the 'tunnel of trees'.  I'm starting to get tired, but I realize I'm approaching mile marker 4.  I've got this in the bag.  I can do this!  There's a slight incline in the road but I'm not going to let it stop me.   Just a few more feet and ................................. I'm.....................there.  

I did it!  Goal one accomplished!!

Now, it's time to get this done.  I've got four miles under my belt and only nine more to go.  I'm feeling great.  I can do this!  After a short walk I start running some more.  Turning West onto the main road, Kaumualii Hwy, I'm relieved to see the road is partially closed.  The next four miles are spent running and walking (but mostly running).  And as I pass thru the water station at mile marker 8 I'm handed a GU Energy Gel pack - blackberry flavored.  I've never had one of these before, but decided to give it a try and I liked it.  Now that I've had my carbohydrate energy gel pack - that provides me energy and promotes recovery to keep me going - I'm on my way.

Eight miles is the easy part.  I've done it several times before.  I know I can do that much.  The hard part is the next five miles.  In all my training over the last six months the most I had ever done was 10 miles......once.  I make my way along the road and get a burst of energy as I turn South onto Omao Road.  Not sure if it's from the energy gel pack or if it's the audience (residents and people stuck in traffic) watching.  Shortly after mile marker 10, Tiffany, the Beachbody coach that I meet once a week at Fit Club catches up to me, asks how I'm doing and offers some words of encouragement.

I've made 10 mile.  I've only got 3 more miles to go.  What's three more miles?  

I'm really starting to get tired at this point.  I've been doing great and I know I can do this.  I pass mile 11 and start climbing.....okay I walked.....up the hill and down around the corner to mile 12.  Now it's time for the home stretch, but my legs are really starting to feel fatigued.  I run a little, but realize it may be best to walk a little longer.  I want to be able to run across that finish line.  And one step at a time I will do it.  

Along the road I see the beach and watch the waves hit the shore.  As I go around the last corner the finish line comes into view.  Oh and what a sight!  I start running again as I see hundreds of people lined up along the road cheering and clapping.  And then I see it........the clock.  To my surprise it reads 2 hrs 38 minutes and the seconds are going by.  I break into a sprint and give it my all as I cross the finish line before the timer turns to 39 minutes.

I did it!
I finished a half marathon!
I ran 13.1 miles!  

And I did it in 2:38:55 (gun time).  Or today after looking online (2:38:46 chip time). Not only did I accomplish my first goal, but I accomplished all three of my goals.   

I am so proud of myself.  

And I don't know if I could have done it without the support of my personal trainer, my family, or my friends.  

 

A BIG thank you to all of you who supported me on this amazing journey.