The Baltimore Half Marathon

Friday, October 10 I was finally starting to feel the energy for my upcoming race the next morning. I was going to run in my second race ever, the Baltimore Half Marathon. In reality I would have had to run 10 miles that day anyway as part of a training run for Disney in January, so what's another 3.1? 

The week leading up wasn't exactly the best. I had the dreaded stomach virus that had been hitting a lot of people in the US. I hadn't eaten Monday-Wednesday and managed to lose 8 pounds. On top of all that, there was no way I was going to exercise/run/walk/get my ass off the couch - because hey, when you're feeling "shitty" (no pun intended...) you should be able to sit still and just watch daytime TV. That is the perfect remedy. So, Friday came and Tracey and I had plans to go out for a pasta dinner. I was going to go for an easy 2 mile jog after work, but in reality, what was that going to do for me? It was going to possibly set me up to trip and hurt myself, and we all know I have done that before... so I decided against it. I met her at Mama Lucia's in Elkridge (by the new Costco) at 7pm. I ordered something simple, just because with my luck, something new would make me sick. We had a great dinner, then it was off to Wal-Mart to buy some throw away sweats for the morning.

I woke up at 6:30, ready to go. I had laid everything out I needed the night before in the same way I've laid everything out for the last 9 months. Why should I change routine now? I made a cup of coffee, gobbled down some oatmeal and was out the door.  Tracey and I met at the light rail in Linthicum Heights a little before 8am on race day. The Half wasn't scheduled to start until 9:45. That was a little later then we had liked, but, it was what it was. We hit the streets of Baltimore around 8:30 or so and stopped by the Sheraton for a bathroom break. After all, that seemed much more appealing then the lovely set ups they had for the bulk of the crowd. We proceeded to the sky walk to watch the Kenyan (I'm not joking...) in the lead for the marathon come running under us. I was starting to feel excited - but we still had 45 minutes to wait for the start. By now, it was warming up. The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. 

We walked to the other side where Tracey made one last bathroom stop. We made our way to the "Wave #3" holding area and all that was left to do was wait. We found a group from Howard County TNT and chatted with them. Out of 17,000 people, who pops up?! Jeff! Jeff and I ran together during the spring while I trained for Alaska and he trained for Frederick. On one of the longer runs we came to realize we live a street away from each other! We said hello and wished each other good luck. (Jeff had had an injury back in May. He had taken a break from running in order to train for the Seagull Century.) 

                             

 9:45 came and the first wave was off. Unfortunately we had to wait 5 minutes before wave 2 started and another 5 before we were allowed to. We didn't start until 10am... regardless, I was now running. Tracey was next to me for the first few miles. The way the course was set up, the first 3 miles of the half were run on a different course, then we joined up with the full, for us it was mile 3 for the full, 16.  Our two courses merged together and as I was running I happened to notice - I missed the first water stop! Rats... Oh well, I knew I'd be ready for water by the time I hit the next one. Not only that, but I'd also be ready for a gel. The course was hilly, but I had been warned. I had also been told I'd be OK, because training in Howard County is perfect for that. By mile 6 I was wondering when the hills would stop. I was now approaching Clifton Park. This was a side of town that I had never seen before, but there's something to be said for the Baltimore native that looks at you, grunts and says "now THAT's what I'm talking about" as you run by- blond hair, blowing in the wind. 

This is where I finally had to stop and walk, but I was happy - I had run the first 6 miles without stopping and it was mostly uphill. I owed myself a break. I walked through Clifton Park and it was onto Lake Montebello.  As I began to run again (mile 6.5) I noticed someone up ahead standing in the middle of the road. From behind, it looked as though he could hardly stand up. As I got closer I realized it was someone I knew! Lee, who also runs with the Saturday morning group, was struggling with a leg cramp. I ran right up to him, pulled out my ear phones and offered help to get him to the side. We got to the side and started walking. He was in need of a water stop, badly. Luckily there was one about half a mile away. We spotted a photographer, broke into a small jog for the photograph, then I continued on.  I  made it around Lake Montebello and up 33rd street. Yes, UP 33rd street. You guessed it, this road was basically UP HILL. I had to walk this as well. For the first time, I was experiencing cramping in my left thigh. That was an issue I have never had before. I was at a point, my first ever "maybe I should just give up" point. This is also something I've never had before, but considering the factors - heat, sickly week, poor hydration, time of day - it really seemed like something worth doing. 

As I dropped my head, what did I hear ?? "Hey stranger!" I looked to the right and saw Jeff! What timing... He ran along side me while I picked up the pace again. We started chatting about the TNT group and my parents trip to China. That I needed.... and for the next mile or so we hung together. As I approached mile 11, it was hard to believe I was almost finished. I felt like I was at mile 24 in Alaska. I couldn't believe my body felt this poor in such a short amount of time. Jeff and I were still running, however he was a little up ahead. I had to drop back to a walk again, but I was OK with that. It looked like I was going to finish. As mile 12 approached, I found myself next to a woman maybe a few years older then me. I looked at her and said "man, I feel like shit" she looked at me and said "I will never run this half again, my ankles hurt like hell" I looked up and said, "well... we've got one mile left to go... should we run it in? Let's do it!" and the two of us started into a slow hobble. There's definitely something to be said about the feeling of a finish line that is part of a race filled with 17,000 people. 

As we ran through Lexington Market, you could hear the cheers from the other side of Camden Yards. We ran through Camden Yards and I began to pick up speed. I was flying. Knowing the end was near, hearing the cheers from the finish line and knowing Scott was there waiting - I just had to blow through. I happened to notice that I wasn't too far behind Jeff. As I crossed over the mat and came to a stop, I looked up and noticed he was doubling back to give me a high five. We had made it. It was over. My legs hurt like hell, my back was sore and I wasn't feeling hot at all. 

  

Finish time according to the Garmin: 2:48. 

Chip Time: 2:50:17. 

I received my  medal and found Scott, ready to collapse and add another race to the list.  

All in all I have to say I was pretty proud of myself, all things considered, I made it. I finished the race and have another accomplishment to add to the list. Scott also reminded me that I had kinda, sorta skimped on training for this race. I had never run more then 8 miles while training, and that was on a treadmill. More the reason to feel accomplished! But also, more the reason to learn and not make that mistake again.