I just started running seriuously 12 weeks ago. I've run some miles her and there, but never more than 6 in my life. So I met some people at my Y who were in to tris hard core and decided to set some goals for myself. I decided to do the Nashville half marathon with one of my Y friends. My plan had me run 11 miles the week before, but my hip was giving me problems afterwards so I had no idea how I could run 13.1! I come from a small town and had never been to anything of this magnitude in my life. There was over 30,000 people running more than my small town even. I am nervous in crowds, but kept that in check...though I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours the night before from my nerves. My friend/coach just kept telling me to live in the moment.

Our corral started and I really got nervous because I didn't want to be pushed to run faster than I could handle. It was so HILLY!! When I started going up the hill my breathing got labored, but I was able to slow it down. The people I was with took off and I found my rhythm, which was had to do with the rolling hills. My friend kept telling me to keep on my nutrition and I had a plan in my head when to take my GU and then had a banana on the course too...

At mile 9 and I got really teary...thinking of my 7 year old son who would sometimes ride his bike beside me on the runs. My last 11 miler I did he was yelling "come on MOM have confidence in yourself!!". But I wasn't quite done so I had to keep it together. It was so HOT!! Record temp they say...it was 89 when we checked!!

So I crossed the finish line feeling tired, but not nauseated or sick though my legs cramped up quite a bit when I stopped running! I didn't have to walk at all and that was my one goal...the other was just to finish.

Thanks to all the trifuelers for their inspiration. I appreciate all your advice on this forum.
Now...on to the next.
Theresa