Monday, March 2, 2015

Redefining Impossible... {The Miami Beach Half Marathon Race Recap}

The great thing about waking up early and heading to a race is that 9 times out of 10 you're able to get there with enough time to get into "race mode". You can get close to the start, visualize yourself passing it in a few minutes, and focus on your finish. You get the opportunity to reflect on why you are doing this. To think about what or who is motivating you to wake up at 2am and get ready to drive to a different city, that's 45 minutes away, because you paid someone to run 13.1 miles...
I heard from a lot of people that parking for the Miami Beach half was pretty bad so, since my running buddy, Mary, and I were carpooling we decided to head there really early to avoid any "parking wars". It was still pretty dark by the time we got to the starting line...
(First picture of Mary (and me) at her first half!!!!)

When it was time to line up we stationed ourselves between the 2:30:00 & 2:40:00 zones...
...and passed the time talking and catching up with other runners at the event.

The race started pretty much on time (which runners always appreciate). By the time I settled into a steady enough rhythm, and took out my phone to snap a few course photos, it started to rain. So I only have 1 photo from the course...

You can can see the start of the first bridge in the background of the photo (there were four bridges in total! FOUR!!!!)...

Even though I didn't take a lot of pictures I was able to download a few of the official race photos from the course...

I always try to use these photos as an opportunity to look at things I need to improve with my gait and general running form...
(if I landed any more laterally this would have been a disaster)

At some point during a race there is a moment when your "impossible" becomes a tangible reality. When you realize that you are stronger than your fears. More determined than your doubts. That moment when a goal is achieved... when a dream is realized. When you shave 8 minutes and 11 seconds off your previous fastest half marathon time and PR at one of the toughest and most challenging courses of your running life!

When you realize what you just accomplished... 

There are no words to describe the emotions that I felt in that moment. I think I was partially in shock but completely overwhelmed and excited. And proud. I never thought I would see a sub 2:30 half marathon time at any point in my training this year...

Garmin Mileage Summary...

Finisher photo...

Post race pic with Mary and Will...

A close up of the medals...

I did it! I achieved a sub 2:30 half marathon time. If my #MiamiFamous half marathon was about Redefining Amazing, then the Miami Beach half marathon was all about Redefining Impossible...

Hope you had a great running weekend! 

What was the best thing about your run/race this weekend?

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