I did it! Nashville Women's Half Marathon Recap

9.26.2012

Well, I finished, and I was pretty excited as you can see!!


Race day was amazing!  My mom and dad arrived Thursday night to be here for me and to help out with the boys.  Friday night I had some serious nerves going on.  I slept well though and the 4:30 a.m. wake up call didn't even hurt.  I was ready to go!

On my way to my corral and telling Mr. C to chill with the camera!
Mr. C took me downtown and stayed with me until the start of the race.  He's so supportive and I love him for it.  Since I didn't have any friends in this race (Andrea, you're going to do this with me next year right?:) he had offered to sign up and run with me.  Bless his heart, he's a good sport.  But I couldn't ask him to do that, I needed to be a big girl.  We did see a few men running, one of which was wearing a hot pink shirt that said "I love my wife"-- ha!  Yay for awesome husbands.

I started the race feeling strong but tried to take my friend Ashlyn's advice to go slow early on.  I knew the course was full of hills and I was hoping to have something left at the end.  By mile 10 my knee was throbbing and I started taking 15 second walk breaks (grrr, so mad at myself for that!).   I picked it back up though and ran to the finish.  My time was 2:13:50--my goal was 2 hours and I wasn't far off but I could kick myself for those breaks!!!! In truth, they didn't hurt that much less and I wish I had pushed harder.

At the finish line and pretty tired!
My mom, my boys, my good friend Ashlyn, and Christian were yelling for me at the finish line.  It was so awesome I almost started crying.  Our names were printed on our bibs and even strangers were yelling my name-- let me tell you, I loved it and it made a difference!  So did all the encouragement you guys left here in your comments and emails, they were on my mind when the going got hard and I can't thank you enough!! I'm here to tell you, EVERY comment and piece of encouragement mattered to me!


Music city bling!
This half marathon started out being something I wanted to cross off of my bucket list but it turned into so much more.  Three and half months ago, I couldn't run to the end of my street.  Four days ago, 13.1.  I'll never forget it.  I found something I love doing, something I love being a part of, and it's so rewarding.  I can't wait to do another one and reach my goal time!  I'm a runner!!!!

14 comments:

  1. So totally awesome Courtney!!! And you look unbelievable!

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  2. We're SO proud of you!! Good for you!!
    xxx+hugs

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  3. I have been dying to hear how you did!! That is so awesome and so is your time. I love when I am running a race and everyone is cheering as you get close to the finish line, there is nothing like it!!

    Now go put that 13.1 sticker on your car!!!

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  4. So awesome Courtney!!!! And that is an AMAZING time for your 1st half...SO impressed!!!

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  5. Wow, I didn't realize you just picked up running so recently!! That is so awesome! I love the pics...especially the one of you at the finish line taking a little breather while your husband is beaming at the camera- you can tell he is so proud of you!! Have a great day!

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  6. YAY Courtney!! I am SOOOOOOO proud of you my friend!! I will ABSOLUTELY come to Nashville next year and run with you! How fun will that be! :) I just love all of these pictures. They are definitely frame worthy :) You got a fancy medal too! You did an awesome job and should be SO proud of yourself!

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  7. SUPER PROUD!!!! And that finish line photo is the BOMB!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!! I am just like you I couldn't run to the end of my driveway in March and here I am preparting for a Half!!!! I envy you!!! Love the bling!!!!!! I may try to do this one next year!!!

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  8. Ah! This is so awesome. I got the chills reading this! So proud and happy for you. I really would love to do one some day...This is so inspiring.! :)

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  9. CONGRATS!!! What an amazingly fantastic feat!!! xox

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  10. Awesome!! Congratulations, lady! So, so proud of and excited for you! LOVE that top picture- so awesome!! What an inspiration :)

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  11. I am so proud of you! That is so awesome...so, from an experienced marathoner, do you have any suggestions for me to start running? I've done couch to 5K and ran one 5K, but I need something more. Any advice??

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  12. Congratulations!!! You're an inspiration to us all!

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  13. amazing, such an accomplishment!

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  14. How amazing! Good for you! (and yay for moms being in town, happy birthday to her!)

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