I knew I wanted to PR this race. I've run two half marathons and gotten progressively faster. My last half marathon was in Indianapolis, a completely flat course and I pumped it out 2:26. I really wanted to hit 2:20 or less, but I wasn't able to make it happen. This race was weird in that I wasn't really nervous. I think that had to do with it not being the end goal. The end goal is 26.2 miles, and this is just a way to get there. I made a goal that I wanted to complete the race in 2 hours and 15 minutes so I'd be shaving off 11 minutes, which I thought would be doable but challenging with this hilly of a course. My trainer challenged me to get 2:12, which I thought was impossible. I started off running with the 2:15 pacers. They were great motivators and it was nice to have them giving me the little reminders about shaking out my shoulders, etc. I stayed with them for the first 3 miles and I was feeling pretty good. At some point I got in front of them and decided to keep rolling. When I was in the middle of Torrence (AKA hill from hell) I got a text from my trainer, Megan. I looked down at my watch and saw the word "Fly!!!!!!!" This almost brought tears to my eyes because I was flipping struggling. Liz passed me on the way down and said "Just keep going girl." At this point I was heaving, but I kept my head up. On the ride down, which was a beautiful thing, I made it a point to continually cheer. Every person was fighting so hard to get up the hill and they deserved me saying "You got this," and "You look awesome!"
I started feeling slightly rough around this time and my husband text me saying that my mom and dad were in front of Brio. It was then I felt bad because it was cold outside. In order to get there in a timely manner, I couldn't slow down, I had to keep going. I finally made it to the Taylor Southgate Bridge-another hill, imagine that. I knew my parents were waiting on the other side. I saw them from afar with Liz's parents and I was able to yell "Aren't you even going to cheer me on?" I was happy because at the Pig they saw me feet from the starting line and I know I looked like I was on death's door. This time, I felt happy and still in good shape so I high fived everyone while saying, "I'm going to PR this bitch." Typical me. This left me with only about 3 more miles. This is where I had to kick it up a notch.
I crossed over the Purple People Bridge Back into Cincinnati (mile 11) and I saw the 2:10 pacer. I couldn't believe my eyes so immediately I knew I had to catch up with him. Then I passed him. I knew I had to be close to the finish line but I couldn't see it. I finally rounded the corner (after a hill, duh!) and I saw the sweet finish line. I didn't speed up until I saw T.J. yelling for me. I straight up sprinted across that finish line and saw the numbers 2:10 on the race clock. I knew that I had started after the initial time by about 2 minutes so I was immediately emotional. I hugged T.J. with tears in my eyes. I flew. Maybe not for my age group, maybe not for "race standards" but for me, I flew.
The biggest testament to all of this is that one year ago, I ran 9.3 and said it was the hardest day of my life. However, I said in that blog post that "Fat Lauren" became the girl of the past. How true that is. 9.3 miles was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life 365 days ago. Fast forward and I'm running 13.1 with an average pace under 10 minutes and feeling strong. I'm so thankful that one year ago I said goodbye to my old self.
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