Gobbler Grind Half Marathon #12

I’d like to say that I was beyond thrilled to compete in half marathon #12 but with a race start

Trying to stay warm at the
start of the Gobbler Grind
Half Marathon!

temperature of 9 degrees (real temp was 12, wind chill made it 9), I was a little concerned I might skip the starting line.  Okay, I was never going to skip but I did complain a time or two about running again in cold weather.

The last time I ran in weather like this, it was January and I was lining up for the Triple D Half in 6 degree real temp (I never knew what the wind chill was that day).  However, last November, I also participated in a half marathon in the Kansas City area and it was around 40 degrees at race start.  I had told myself leading up to this race that it was going to be the same weather as last year.  Once I got within a few days of the race, it kept showing temperatures in the 20s and lower.  I chose to ignore it until the day before and then I just got plain irritated.  I haven’t trained in weather this cold, as it’s only been a handful of days since the temps starting dropping this much.  I had also talked myself into the idea that I wouldn’t have a race again as cold as the Triple D :)  Regardless, I lined up for the Gobbler Grind in 9 degree weather.

Jason caught me near the
beginning as I was passing
up competitors :)

For some reason, they delayed the race start by 15 minutes.  I never found out why but each time they announced it, a groan went through the participants.  Why in the world would you start late in that cold of weather?  And why in the world did I see people running in shorts (probably around 20+ people) and a handful of people with no gloves? I wore a base layer shirt and long pants, with a fleece running top and fleece running pants.  I also wore my lobster claw gloves and a hat.  While I was warm enough a few miles into the race, I wasn’t overly warm.  I don’t know how people ran with skin exposed!  My cheeks and nose were exposed and completely frozen by the end of the race.  My speech was slightly slurred because my face was beet red and cold (which by the way, happened after the Triple D too).  

Yes, I stayed within the
30 mph speed limit...
barely :)

The Gobbler Grind had a marathon, half marathon and 5k race.  Marathon participants had the option of moving down to the half during the race.  That isn’t necessarily a common practice, but I think given the weather was a smart idea.  The two distances ran together until around mile 8.  I heard a lot of chatter in the first mile from marathoners trying to decide what they’d do but deciding to wait and see how they felt at the separation point.  I suppose that was the only point in the entire race that I was glad I was running a half marathon.

Once we got started, my frozen block of toes finally started to thaw.  I found what was the most comfortable  pace I could in 9 degree weather and pushed myself forward.  Oddly, there was not a single mile marker in this race.  Given the two long distances, I was very surprised.  In this instance, I could have cared less because all I wanted to do was get it over with and cross the finish line.  If you can’t tell, I don’t enjoy being that cold.  Yet, I’m proud of my effort and surprised that I do have the mental and physical strength to do it.  That’s such a profound thought for me to acknowledge and accept. Trust me when I say, if I can do something that challenging, then you can tackle your challenges.  Believe in yourself.  I’m learning to believe in me.

I'm just a few yards from
the finish line!

I tried to think about the previous 11 races I’ve done this year but I only made it through the first two.  I thought a lot about the Triple D because these races were so similar in weather.  I did think about the Disney Princess Half Marathon because of how warm it was!  I tried to think warm thoughts but I don’t think it helped much.  After that my mind was shifting to the pain and agony of climbing a few hills around miles 6 to 8.  I knew we’d climb there and then have a big downhill into mile 9.  Near the bottom I had a side stitch and had to stop for a few seconds to try and take a deep breath and exhale.  It’s hard to get a good deep breath in cold weather.  I started running again and never looked back.  I moved as quickly as I could, as I knew I was getting closer to the finish.

As I made my way back into the park area, I honestly think my mind mostly went blank.  All I wanted to do was cross the finish line.  Yes, to complete half marathon #12, but mostly to be done and get a warm shower.  Jason so graciously waited around for the race start and took some photos and then returned near the end to cheer me on all the way through the finish line.  It did help that I saw him in the final 100 yards.  I’ve come to realize that I really do appreciate cheering in a race.  Thanks to anyone and everyone who has ever cheered and clapped for me; I greatly appreciate it!

After crossing the finish line, I threw myself into Jason’s arms and just stood there for a minute

My face is literally frozen.
This is the best smile I
could make :)

because I was so exhausted and thankful I was done.  We took a couple of pictures and I decided that was enough.  I finished in just over 1:49 and that was good enough for me.  After a very warm shower, my cheeks unthawed and I could finally squeak out a smile.  Now that it’s over, I can more greatly appreciate what I did today and what I’ve accomplished so far this year.  Twelve half marathons feels like a big deal to me.  For me personally, it’s an achievement.  

I’m not the only one who reached a big milestone this weekend.  I am blessed to know that I inspired a friend with my race goals.  My friend Jana decided to establish her own big goal for 2013 by running 13 races of any distance.  She ran her 13th race on Saturday and I am so very excited and proud of her!  It takes a lot of guts to set a big goal.  They’re not meant to be something easy peasy or even something to take lightly.  They’re meant to be something that requires focus, effort and hard work to do.  Make goals for yourself that require that focus, effort and hard work – whatever that definition is for YOU. 

Feel free to share what goals you’ve achieved or what goals you want to set for 2014!!!  If you ever want an extra cheerleader to send you an encouraging note or to show up and cheer at a race for you, just let me know.  I’d be honored to be a part of your journey.  

Miss FitGab