It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and since I am a teacher and we work so often with teachers it hit me today-I knew exactly what I needed to write for my race report. It also seemed like an appropriate way to sum up my Capital City Half Marathon since the group of friends I was running with are all teachers! So here it is…enjoy!
~Kelli
(In case you don’t know the book by Robert Fulghum, it’s a great read. Hope you enjoy this creative twist of mine-here are 13 things I’ve learned so far about running a half marathon.)
1. Play Dress Up.
This was only my second half marathon. My first was the Disney Princess, which now has set the bar of “dress up” for races. I must fully admit that I am not typically a Princess-type of gal—but I think I can now officially say that I have harnessed my inner princess! The outfit I choose seems to have new meaning with each race I am running. While I wasn’t in full creative princess dress up mode this race, I was very excited about my new blinged up #Run3rd skirt! So, yes…I play dress up (and I LOVE it!).
This was only my second half marathon. My first was the Disney Princess, which now has set the bar of “dress up” for races. I must fully admit that I am not typically a Princess-type of gal—but I think I can now officially say that I have harnessed my inner princess! The outfit I choose seems to have new meaning with each race I am running. While I wasn’t in full creative princess dress up mode this race, I was very excited about my new blinged up #Run3rd skirt! So, yes…I play dress up (and I LOVE it!).
2. Wait patiently in line
Corrals amaze me. I love how we all pack in and get to know strangers packed tightly together. (This was also a welcomed wait on race morning as it was a bit chilly and a few thousand friends packed together kept us a bit warmer.) It was also fun to be at a race in my hometown—I saw a few friends in the corral and dodged my way between spaces to say hello and give a good luck hug!
Corrals amaze me. I love how we all pack in and get to know strangers packed tightly together. (This was also a welcomed wait on race morning as it was a bit chilly and a few thousand friends packed together kept us a bit warmer.) It was also fun to be at a race in my hometown—I saw a few friends in the corral and dodged my way between spaces to say hello and give a good luck hug!
3. Dance like no one is watching!
So I admit it—my playlist is chock full of dance beats that would fully embarrass my teenage son-especially if I was also dancing. While I hadn’t hit play just yet, I love that we had course entertainment along the route. And for this race, I needed a good dance beat. I needed something to get me going because I wasn’t feeling well and at this point had already started to psych myself out. However, they knew exactly what to play at the start line…and so we danced like no one was watching (even though I am sure someone was)!
So I admit it—my playlist is chock full of dance beats that would fully embarrass my teenage son-especially if I was also dancing. While I hadn’t hit play just yet, I love that we had course entertainment along the route. And for this race, I needed a good dance beat. I needed something to get me going because I wasn’t feeling well and at this point had already started to psych myself out. However, they knew exactly what to play at the start line…and so we danced like no one was watching (even though I am sure someone was)!
4. Share.
Runners share. We share words of encouragement, high fives, and a helping hand. We share challenges, accomplishments, frustrations, and even stories of toenails gone missing. (Ok, maybe sometimes we can share too much information!) This race, I shared on the #Run3rd facebook page that I really needed some motivation and dedications—and that’s exactly what I got. I love this #Run3rd community—I love that people I haven’t even met can make me feel empowered, motivated, and encouraged. It was a few of those posts that kept me training when it got tough—and kept me motivated through those last few tough miles.
Runners share. We share words of encouragement, high fives, and a helping hand. We share challenges, accomplishments, frustrations, and even stories of toenails gone missing. (Ok, maybe sometimes we can share too much information!) This race, I shared on the #Run3rd facebook page that I really needed some motivation and dedications—and that’s exactly what I got. I love this #Run3rd community—I love that people I haven’t even met can make me feel empowered, motivated, and encouraged. It was a few of those posts that kept me training when it got tough—and kept me motivated through those last few tough miles.
5. Clean Up Your Own Mess Okay, that’s just a bad port-a-potty story waiting to happen…and I just won’t go there. | 6. Gu-Gu-Gu Oh yes, we have heard it since we were infants—and we have it on the course too. |
7. Be creative!
Color outside the lines if you want too! Make the elephant green or the flowers sparkle!
While there are many creative outfits at races-I’m still on my quest for the #Run3rdphotochallenge. I look for 3’s while I run/walk. There were a few that I found along the Cap City course-and I few that I saw that I couldn’t get to my phone fast enough. I’ve been posting these on a flickr page and asking people to send in more. It’s kind of fun to notice the details along a course. Often, I found myself looking down-and looking for 3’s helps me look around and notice the details. Check out some of the #Run3rdphotochallenge pics so far at http://www.flickr.com/photos/77486183@N08/
Color outside the lines if you want too! Make the elephant green or the flowers sparkle!
While there are many creative outfits at races-I’m still on my quest for the #Run3rdphotochallenge. I look for 3’s while I run/walk. There were a few that I found along the Cap City course-and I few that I saw that I couldn’t get to my phone fast enough. I’ve been posting these on a flickr page and asking people to send in more. It’s kind of fun to notice the details along a course. Often, I found myself looking down-and looking for 3’s helps me look around and notice the details. Check out some of the #Run3rdphotochallenge pics so far at http://www.flickr.com/photos/77486183@N08/
8. Do it again…and again…and again.
Remember when we used to twirl around until we were so dizzy that we’d fall? Then, we’d get back up and do it again? Why do we keep signing up for these races? I suppose each person has their own reason. For me, this race was different. I had it in my head that I wasn’t going to be able to do this one. I wasn’t prepared-I hadn’t trained—I didn’t feel good. I truly had psyched myself out—which if you knew me, you wouldn’t have seen coming. The week before the race, I got sick. Fever, aches, chills and overall UGH! Mentally, I just went back and forth all week long about what to do. I’m not typically one to have this struggle in my head about what I can do or cannot do-but for some reason, I just couldn’t shake this one. Even before the start of the race, I was still struggling with this idea- do the quarter or the half? So for me, this race will be a strong memory that “I can do it!” And that even when everything seems to be spinning out of control…I can get back up and do it again…and again…and again!
Remember when we used to twirl around until we were so dizzy that we’d fall? Then, we’d get back up and do it again? Why do we keep signing up for these races? I suppose each person has their own reason. For me, this race was different. I had it in my head that I wasn’t going to be able to do this one. I wasn’t prepared-I hadn’t trained—I didn’t feel good. I truly had psyched myself out—which if you knew me, you wouldn’t have seen coming. The week before the race, I got sick. Fever, aches, chills and overall UGH! Mentally, I just went back and forth all week long about what to do. I’m not typically one to have this struggle in my head about what I can do or cannot do-but for some reason, I just couldn’t shake this one. Even before the start of the race, I was still struggling with this idea- do the quarter or the half? So for me, this race will be a strong memory that “I can do it!” And that even when everything seems to be spinning out of control…I can get back up and do it again…and again…and again!
9. Don't leave anyone out!
The best thing about running can be the time with friends and family. Training together, running together, or keeping each other motivated.
The best thing about running can be the time with friends and family. Training together, running together, or keeping each other motivated.
10. It's okay to be emotional!
I really learned my lesson this time. I experienced the range of emotions on race day and leading up to it. But it was at Mile 5 that I got mad. I was mad that I let myself think I couldn't do it. It was at Mile 5 that I knew I would be fine. Even if I had to run, walk, or crawl to the finish line. So in the end, I experienced the range of emotions-doubt, fear, motivation, dedication, accomplishment, and SUCCESS!
I really learned my lesson this time. I experienced the range of emotions on race day and leading up to it. But it was at Mile 5 that I got mad. I was mad that I let myself think I couldn't do it. It was at Mile 5 that I knew I would be fine. Even if I had to run, walk, or crawl to the finish line. So in the end, I experienced the range of emotions-doubt, fear, motivation, dedication, accomplishment, and SUCCESS!
11. Say Thank You!
There were so many ways to say "Thank You" on race day. From the police and fireman, to the amazing volunteers at the water stations, to the spectators and other runners cheering you on.
There were so many ways to say "Thank You" on race day. From the police and fireman, to the amazing volunteers at the water stations, to the spectators and other runners cheering you on.
12. It’s Mine!
Ah, the bling! Cap City was celebrating it’s 10th anniversary-and when we saw the pic of the bling, we knew we had to have it. And yes, even through all my challenges with this race…It’s MINE! ALL MINE!!!
Ah, the bling! Cap City was celebrating it’s 10th anniversary-and when we saw the pic of the bling, we knew we had to have it. And yes, even through all my challenges with this race…It’s MINE! ALL MINE!!!
13.CELEBRATE!
Celebrate every accomplishment. From first steps, to a 5k, to a quarter, half or full-it's an amazing experience and I am so proud to be part of this community. Each finish line has it's own way to celebrate. And in a way, #Run3rd is a celebration- it's a way to celebrate the strength and determination of people and causes we care about. So join us--and be sure to #Run3rd at your next race!
Celebrate every accomplishment. From first steps, to a 5k, to a quarter, half or full-it's an amazing experience and I am so proud to be part of this community. Each finish line has it's own way to celebrate. And in a way, #Run3rd is a celebration- it's a way to celebrate the strength and determination of people and causes we care about. So join us--and be sure to #Run3rd at your next race!