Throwback Thursday – My First Half Marathon

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I had run a 10K back in 10/2013, and it was then I decided I would start training for a half marathon.  I was aiming for the Lake Sammamish Half for March, but after a little discussion with The Motivator, we decided my first half should be Rock ‘N’ Roll Seattle, 6/21/2014.

A month before RNR Seattle, we ran RNR Portland, with me running the 10K and James the half.  I remember during that race watching all the people make the turnoff to continue on with the half and thinking, “Oh how the hell am I going to pull this off in Seattle.  I’m already knackered.  I can’t imagine running another 6 miles.”

Pre-Seattle race, I remember being a basket case.  The nerves were out of this world.  And the RNR events are huge, so the amount of people that were there freaked me out as well.  But everyone else looked so calm.  Thankfully James stayed with me for as long as he could so I wouldn’t bail (lol, kidding).

It probably took me about 5 miles in before I relaxed.

The course was gorgeous (and super hilly), and I felt privileged to be able to run in areas I wouldn’t normally get to see.  Back then I didn’t carry my phone with me, just my iPod for music.  So, no pictures.  I made a mental note to carry a camera with me on the next race.  This was before blogging, so that didn’t happen.  There are a lot of races I missed out on taking pictures, and I’ve seen some amazing sights.  It’s also one of the reasons why I’m running the 50 states… for the sights.  Everyone else chases PRs… I’m there for aesthetics, lol.

And I’ll never forget the feeling of accomplishment I had when I finally crossed the finish line.  There is nothing that compares to it.  It’s why I’m addicted to racing… and, oh yeah, the bling.

I have since run 10 more half marathons and am now training for my first full.  I can imagine the above feelings are going to be escalated out of the stratosphere.

  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

24 thoughts on “Throwback Thursday – My First Half Marathon”

  1. mawil1

    I’m sure that you can do it !! I agree about running for the sights. I so enjoy the scenery hence I love the hills. You have a good trainer I’m sure that you will succeed!

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  2. Chocolaterunsjudy

    It took me a long, long time before I started taking photos during racing (and thank you, run/walk intervals that make it far easier for me to do so).

    I, too, remember running a 10k and thinking no WAY am I ever running twice this distance. Bwahaha. Holly tells me that a marathon is not like running 2 halfs . . . I still don’t believe her. But I know you can do it, Paula!

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      2. neveradullbling Post author

        But then when you go 50K or even 50 miles, 26.2 becomes nothing… hahaha, not!! I don’t see how that happens at all either, and 13.1 will always be a challenge, as will a 5k and 10k… they’re just considered shorter runs, lol. 😁

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Marine Corps Marathon. I probably wouldn’t be freaking out so much if they didn’t have time cutoffs, but then again, do I really want to be out there for longer than 6 hours, lol!! 😀

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  5. wanderwolf

    “Everyone else chases PRs… I’m there for aesthetics”-> Ha!
    A good throwback to think back to the last big step up. Comparing the 10k to the Half makes sense… and the bundle of emotions will be similar. But James will have you so well prepared… just get to that start line healthy and you will get it done. 🙂 MCM is pretty huge as well, so you’re prepared for the size and craziness of hat race!

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Hehe, thanks Dorothea! And it tickles me you caught my humor with the aesthetics thing! 😁
      I will say it is comforting that the race is so huge. That’s one of the things that calmed my nerves with my first half… I wasn’t in it alone. And yes, James is going to be with me the whole time… so that’s comforting as well. He will definitely pull me across no matter what, kicking and screaming if he has to, but he’ll pull me across, 😃

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  6. Brian Lageose

    Just have to say this: I navigated my way to your home page, and I accidentally clicked on your lead photo for the latest post instead of the post title itself. I was suddenly presented with a widescreen image of the photo, and you and The Hubs are so aglow with triumph and happiness and love that, well, it was a great thing to see. End trans… 😉

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  8. qplourde

    I run for the scenery too! I just did a 10-mile race and the only reason I signed up was because it was such a scenic course in Newport, RI. I’m a novice runner myself, so I’ve been there with the nerves and wondering if I can do the distance. Keep running & writing!

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  10. benjaminpeach

    I remember when I lived in DC and thought anybody who ran the marathon had to be crazy. Just didn’t see the interest in doing something like that! Ha! Now I wish I could go back just to run it!! It will be great and you will love it !

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      I think you should definitely go back and run it one year. Or at least maybe the Paris marathon as it has gorgeous bling! With your mountain training, a flat 26.2 would be nothing to you, 😃

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