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First Half Marathon – Registered

February 10, 2012 By Jennifer Swafford 12 Comments

Well…I did it!  Yesterday, I took the plunge and registered for the Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon.  Of course, I only registered for the half.  I’m only half crazy!

Back about a month ago, I got a text from my friend Amy asking if I wanted to run a half marathon with her.

At first I thought….um, no.  There is no way I can do a half marathon in just a few months.  Well, after researching it on the Internet, I saw lots of training plans that were 8 weeks.  No excuse there.

Then, I thought maybe I could use the excuse that I wasn’t ready.  But, I knew that wasn’t true either.  If you can run a 10k, you can run a half.  Or, so I’ve heard.  No excuse there.

So…I procrastinated and told Amy I wasn’t a runner because I couldn’t run a 10 minute mile.  But…I saw on the online registration that you only had to be able to keep a pace of a 15 minute mile.  I can WALK a 15 minute mile.  No excuse there.

We were trying to decide between the Nashville half marathon and the Georgia one.  With this being the first and funds being tight, we decided to stay close to home and NOT have to pay traveling expenses.  So, yesterday, I did it.  I payed my $90 only $87 after a coupon code I found!  Yeah!

There is something about hitting that payment button that makes it real.  I guess in my mind I could always find an excuse to back out until I paid the money.  Now that it is paid, there is no backing out.

I had on my training schedule last night a 6 mile run.  I did it.  I had a pretty good time of

Not too shabby!

That means I ran an 11:56 minute mile.  Not too shabby for a “new” runner.  I also felt pretty good.  Now, thinking I am going to double that on March 18 is a bit daunting but I have started envisioning myself crossing the finish line and how good and accomplished I will feel when that happens.  I WILL finish and I WILL rock it!

So, here goes something I have wanted to do since this weight loss journey began.  I took the first step, I registered.  Now for the hard work–training.  It will all be worth it in the end.

Have you run a half marathon before?  If so, I need your tips!  What are your top tips for me to make sure I finish successfully?

I need this t-shirt from Cafe Press!

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  • Ann Engelhart

    Congratulations!  Prepare to become addicted!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Thank you! I am prepared! :)

  • Anonymous

    Congrats!  You will do great!!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Thank you!

  • Lori Dunagan

    Congratulations to you. I have run that  half marathon before. It can be hilly but you can certianly do it. There is a lot of spectator support along the route.  I run a 12 minute mile and finished in 2 hours 45 minutes. Best of luck to you in your training.

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      I have heard about the hills…not looking forward to those! I am excited about the spectator support! Should be “fun”

  • sandra_dunigan

    I have done two half marathons. The first time around, I stopped at every water station…this kills your momentum because sometimes getting back into your groove/pace after the water is difficult. I was SOOO thirsty, though, that the thought of not stopping was unbearable. The second time around, I properly hydrated the two days BEFORE the race. I drank water like crazy. Then, the day of the race, I had a normal amount in the morning. That time around, I didn’t stop for water until mile 6, and I only stopped 3 times after that. It was a LOT easier because I didn’t have to start/stop so much. Make sense?
     
    I love the new gatorade fuel line. Before the race, I ate a banana, a piece of peanut butter toast, and then two G-Series banana nut chocolate primes (four come in a package). I felt great the whole race. 
     
    Make sure you have people cheering you along the way. Mile 6-7 were kind of awful for me, and so was mile 9. The second time around, I had my family spaced at those two places to cheer. MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!
     
    I am no expert…finished my second half in 2:00.32. But, I was really able to learn a lot from my first to my second.
     

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Awesome tips. Thanks so much! I just recently bout some GU gels to get through long training runs. I will have to check out the Gatorade ones. I am going to get some people to cheer me on at certain spots. Thanks again for the advice!

  • http://therunninggal.wordpress.com/ Jen

    I am registered for my first Half in March (Gasparilla Distance Classic – also sponsored by Publix).  I put off registering for a long time.  Cheers to new adventures, new distances, and new successes.  I’m sure you’ll do great!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      We can do it! When is yours in March? We will have to cheer one another on!

  • Anonymous

    Wow.. your post reminds me that everything is relative.. I can’t imagine running, walking or crawling six miles… much less a half marathon!!  GO GIRL!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Thank you! I too started off walking very slowly. You can do anything your heart desires and for some crazy reason, my heart desired this!