So, the inaugural DC Nike Women's HaIf-Marathon.
First, the Expo or as Nike called it the "Expotique". I thought about this for days. It was in Georgetown. Great for Nike so that they can get people to go to their store nearby, but not so great when there is limited parking and no metro nearby (the closest about 1/2 mile away). I only had 4 hours during which my daughter was in preschool. Metro would have taken about 90 min each way. A little close for my comfort. I took my chances and drove. I found street parking but had no change and couldn't get the automated system to work. I ended up having to use a garage at the bargain price of $18.
Anyway.
It was Friday morning and the expo had just opened. I got my bib quickly (separate area) and headed over to the expo tent. I was honestly really disappointed. Lots of empty space and a bunch of Nike displays and sponsors. Bare Minerals doing makeup and some hair company doing hair. Things that don't interest me. Luna Bar was there as well as a company that is new to me called Somersaults whose snacks I really liked. Besides that, no vendors advertising other races, selling gels or running gear like at other expos. It was a big turn off and I took one quick walk through and left. Kind of a waste, but I got my bib and took a couple pictures.
My friend had been to the expo and told me about this sign on the side of the Nike store. From a distance this is what it looks like ...
On to race day. I got up at the usual ungodly hour, caught a cab to the metro and headed into the city. Upon arriving there were a ton of porta potties and they weren't busy so I took the opportunity to use one. After that, I walked around a little found my corral, and checked out the finish line area before heading back to bag check and using the potty one more time.
I was as ready as I was going to be but my knee was still achy. I expected to suffer but I was determined to do my best. Two friends I went with went to their corrals and I headed to mine. It was chaos getting into the corral. It was way too crowded but I made it in and I found myself right by the 2:20 pacer. I started thinking. My goal had been 2:15, but I no longer felt like that was possible with the knee situation. On the other side of the sign the pacer held was 10:40. A nice easy pace. I looked for a 2:15 pacer over the heads of everyone but I never saw any other pacers. I decided to stick with 2:20. I could do 2:20.
You can just see the starting line here and the Capitol way in the distance.
Me. Ready to go. Shoe laces in honor of Boston. Speaking of Boston, there was a moment of silence before the race. 13,000 people so quiet that all you could hear were a couple of birds chirping. It was incredible.
So the race.
The beginning was a little crazy. They didn't space out the corrals. They let ALL the corrals go at once. It was a little slow, but nothing terrible. However, the pacer was really moving. I started thinking that the pace didn't feel like 10:40. Well, it wasn't. Her pace was 9:30! I knew I couldn't maintain that. I wondered if she would walk water stops and I kept up. The water stop came ... And went! She never stopped and between trying to get around the mob at the water stop and trying to stay with the pacer, I missed the water. What the heck was she doing??
I was irritated.
I ran with her a bit more, then decided I was going to do this on my own. I ran on and went with what I've always done. Run comfortably and walk through water stops. I couldn't deny that the pain in my knee was getting worse. I just tried to focus and keep moving. I got really hot and started regretting missing the water stop and thinking that I needed to get more at the next stop.
Eventually, I got to Hains Point. There is so much hatred of this area from runners. Granted, I've never done a marathon but my 2 experiences there have been good ones. I find it beautiful running along the water and this day I have never been so grateful for the BREEZE that came off the water. That saved the race for me.
I was in a lot of pain and after Hains Point there were a couple of hills. I swore under my breath and walked. My knee simply couldn't handle the hills.
Made it to 10 miles. Thought - only a 5k left. At mile 11, I almost started to cry. The pain was excruciating. I told myself to stay strong and not cry. What if an official saw me and tried to stop me? What if another runner saw me and tried to offer support? I didn't want anything to stop me or break my concentration. 2:15 was gone but 2:20 was still possible.
I made a turn and I could see the finish line far off in the distance. I was going to do this. I thought of the blue Tiffany box waiting for me and it was so close. I ran and ran and the finish line never seemed to get closer. It was further than it looked even though I could see it. Still I kept running and gave it all I had.
As I approached the finish line, I was struck by the incredible number of spectators lining the course. Just days after the Boston, so many people there to support us. It was wonderful. I finally crossed the finish line. Time 2:20:36. Not the time I had hoped for but a 3 min PR. I did it with an injury and I fought for it. I was proud.
The finish line was mobbed but I collected my blue box from a man in a tux carrying it on a silver platter and walked on picking up some food and finally the blue bag to carry everything. I made my way through the tables of finisher shirts picking one up and headed out of the finisher area.
I started heading back toward bag check and found an information volunteer who told me where to find a medical tent. I went there and got a bag of ice and picked up a few snacks I'd missed weaving through the mob at the finish line. After that I picked up my bag and parked myself to ice my knee at the meeting point my friends and I had decided on prior to the race.
There, I opened my box.
I met up with my friends who both did great (they are both faster runners than me) and we headed back to the metro. At our stop, we came upon a runner whose knee looked to be in even worse shape than mine so I gave her my ice.
I hobbled to brunch where I had an omelette and a mimosa and it was absolutely delicious.
I finally hobbled home and relaxed the rest of the day. The rest of the week actually. My knee was in bad shape for a couple of days so I took it easy and just did my session with my trainer. She mentioned to me how she had gone through a period of doing a lot of races and she had hurt her knee too. She is in great shape so somehow, that made me feel less pathetic. She also suggested trail running might be less stressful on my legs. Something to try.
I had planned to do the Frederick half this past weekend but after trying a short run Saturday, I knew there was no way without going back to the pain from the previous weekend or worse. So that's it. No more races until November (Wine and Dine Half in Disney)!
