The inaugural running of Team 413's "Get There & Share" Half Marathon in Homewood, Alabama, was run, appropriately, on April 13, 2013. Team 413 puts on races throughout the country and is described as the largest ministry for endurance athletes in the world. It's name is more than just a moniker but a message, derived from Philippians 4:13, in which the Apostle Paul declared to the church at Philippi: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
In this application, that includes running a half marathon. Having run a number of half marathons, I set for myself the goal of running the Team 413 Half in under two hours, which comparably is no great feat, but for me would be a Personal Record. But a shortened training regimen and the onset of a heal injury, which caused me to lay up in the final two weeks, brought some serious doubts. Nevertheless, I ran.
I found the course to be good and moderately challenging. It seemed to be comprised largely of flat or low-grade stretches, but with a goodly number of hills sprinkled in, the worst of which were at miles 3 and 10. It was well organized with police, cones, and sufficient water stations.
I had intentions to take more photographs and video, but by the end of the race, I was in no shape to do that. With calves that were threatening to seize up and small waves of nausea that were enveloping me, it was all I could do to keep churning up those final hills toward the finish line. I never got that euphoric second wind, and with a mile left I pulled out my ear buds so I could concentrate on and feel every last ounce of pain, discomfort, satisfaction, and joy, knowing that despite the obstacles, what I had done was enough to reach my goal.
I had intentions to take more photographs and video, but by the end of the race, I was in no shape to do that. With calves that were threatening to seize up and small waves of nausea that were enveloping me, it was all I could do to keep churning up those final hills toward the finish line. I never got that euphoric second wind, and with a mile left I pulled out my ear buds so I could concentrate on and feel every last ounce of pain, discomfort, satisfaction, and joy, knowing that despite the obstacles, what I had done was enough to reach my goal.
And a special thanks to the two-hour pacers, without whom I don't think I could have done it, and one of whom is found in the photo below with his hand raised, as we all stand eagerly receiving pre-race instructions.
Another write-up about this race will be able to be found at a local running blogger's page: Yo Momma Runs.
Another write-up about this race will be able to be found at a local running blogger's page: Yo Momma Runs.
Great job snagging that PR for the day, especially with those hills at the end. I kept waiting for the second wind too, but I think the hills ate it.:) Still a nice day for a race, weather-wise.
ReplyDeleteThanks. But your PR is a much more impressive one. Well done.
Delete