The Rowe Family Blog

I know, I’m a little slow in posting this…but I ran the Rochester Half Marathon on Sept 14, 2008.  It was my first ever official marathon.  I have run longer distances in the past, but this was my first really, really, really long race.

Conditions for race day were not ideal- hot, muggy, and sunny.  Yuck!  I set out with a goal of finishing in under 2 and a half hours. I started out nice and strong and on pace for finishing the race in 1 hour and 20 minutes.  I was having fun.  I gave a gorilla (yes a man dressed as a gorilla) a high 5.  The crowds were really great!

The water stops…not so much!  The first 2 water stops (every 2 miles starting at mile 2) were out of cups.  They had water, but you had to drink from your own hands (which I tried and failed at) or from the gallon jug.  I did not want to stop.  So I opted to wait until the next water stop.  It wasn’t until around mile 6!  Yup…6 miles in the heat with no water.  At mile 7 they were supposed to have gels…nope…they were out of those too.  Oh well, I wasn’t going to let it ruin my first half marathon experience.

The race course was pretty fun.  I was hoping for more running along the canal path or in more scenic areas, but it did give the runners a nice tour of the city.  My favorite part was a downhill section.  I had just finished mile 9 (although I wasn’t sure because the mile markers appeared to be off) and had been talking to my favorite “Mom in Motion” whom I had been playing tag with for the entire race so far.  We were trying to stay together as much as we could.  I saw the steep downhill through the shady woods and said “oops…my legs said I gotta go” and I took off.  I never saw her again.  At that point, we were on pace to still finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes- ahead of my goal time.

And then it hit.  The heat and sun were killing me!  I had to walk a lot.  I did a lot of walk/run combinations.  I really wanted to run, but my dizzy head said to slow it down a bit.  Unfortunately, I slowed down a lot.  I even had to walk some of the last mile.  I had nothing left in me when I turned the corner to head to the finish line until I saw my family and friends.  Greg, Cassie, my mom, my mother and father in-law, Corey, Marie, and others.  I was so thrilled to finally be done. I gave it my all and finished the race up.  I finished in 2:33:26.  And then, I was done.  My body said…no more…all done.  It took me over an hour to recover from the run. I couldn’t stand to hold Cassie…I just didn’t have the energy.  Once I recovered, I was great for the rest of the day.  I felt great and loved the sense of accomplishment.

It’s weird how races affect me now that I’ve done so many.  I get very emotional for many different reasons: watching the 1st finishers come across the line, watching family and friends do their best, watching pretty much anyone, and being proud of how well I’ve done and having my family and friends be proud of me too.  I just get all choked up.  I don’t know.  Perhaps I’m more of a girl than I thought.  I’ve always said that I am not a girly girl…but maybe I am.  I think Cassie has helped me to realize how important family and friends truly are in life.  Thanks, Cassie Bear.  I dedicated this race to you.  Love you!  Thanks for making me stronger and happier .  (and yet again…tears…I’m such a girl!)

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