In September of 2013 I ran a 1:43:38 half marathon just 1 year and two and a half weeks after having my first child- that was my personal best. Averaging a 7:54 pace, I was not sure if I would ever be able to beat that.
Fast forward two years later and just 1 year and 10 days after having baby #2 I broke that 1:43:38 Personal Record! This weekend I ran a new half marathon personal best: 1:42:10. That is a 7:47 pace and I am proud!
I don’t write about this to brag. I write about this to let you know that you can do it! To let other moms know that getting into shape after a baby (or even multiple babies) is possible. Set a goal, make a plan and go after it! It doesn’t have to a running goal: it can be anything that makes you step out of your comfort zone and work on your health and fitness.
Race Recap
Friday night I had more anxiety that I ever have for a race. I had dreamt that I ran a PR but forgot to put on my bib so it didn’t count. Then I dreamt that there was a huge, slippery wall that I had to climb over and I could see the clock getting close to 1:43 and I kept falling down the wall.
I set goals for myself all the time and have no problem sharing them, but for some reason this time was different. I knew I was going to have to run fast and frankly I was not feeling it. I hadn’t run all week and the previous weekend my 6 mile run had been cut short due to the rain. I had shared this goal with so many people and what if I didn’t attain it? I ran 3 half marathons in the spring, but the expectations were not as high. Plus I didn’t really train for those other races. This time, I worked a plan (kinda) to reach my goal.
I carb loaded Friday night and had a good breakfast Saturday morning and after a cup of coffee and some foam rolling, I felt somewhat ready. I was just going to go out there, do my best and run my race. I put on my tatoo to keep my on pace and planned on tracking it with my old school target watch instead of my Garmin.
I met my friends near the start line, said hello to others and got in race mode. By the time cannon shot I was ready and relaxed. I was so happy to be running the race with Sara as I knew she would push me. The first mile was a little slow and we knew we would easily be able to make up for the time.
Miles 2-8 were fast! We were clipping anywhere from 7:25-7:40 minute miles. At that point we were on pace to PR. Sara was also trying to PR and she needed to come in about a minute faster than me. We kept trying to back off a little but it just didn’t happen. We talked along the way and enjoyed the scenery. Since I grew up in Fort Wayne I love running this race and seeing many familiar fans cheering on along the course.
Miles 8-10 are always the hardest part of a half marathon for me. I was happy to see my best friend and her kids at mile 8. Three year old munchkin, B gave me a high five and it was a great push. Sara was able to see her family right before mile 8 and that was awesome! Seeing some of our favorite people were just what we needed to power through those tough miles.
Sara is awesome at the end of a race and at about 10.5 miles she left me in the dust. With just a little over 2.5 miles to go I knew if I could just keep the pace I would be just fine. In my head I thought I had to beat 1:43:03, and it was not until after the race that I actually only had to beat 1:43:38- I had a 35 second buffer that I gave myself. I tend to work in 2-4 minute increments at an end of a race. I often say, “If I can hold this pace for 4 minutes then I can increase the pace,” or “I can give it a little more for just two more minute.” This positive self talk always helps me get to the end of the race.
Once I hit mile 12 I knew I was in good shape, I increase the pace and ran it on home. I saw several people I knew on the home stretch and the cheering crowd was awesome. The race ends on the Tin Caps baseball field and once I entered that stadium and looked down at my watch I knew I had less than a half a mile to go and unless I passed out I would have a new Personal Record!
I entered that stadium with goosebumps. I saw my self on the jumbotron and heard the crowd roaring. I heard the announcer call out names after people crossed the finish and I couldn’t wait to hear my own. I picked up the pace. I picked up the pace for those who can’t. I picked up the pace for those who endure more pain than me. I picked up the pace for those who fight harder battles each day. I ran it in on a baseball field in the city where I grew up…. and saw the numbers ONE, FOUR, TWO on the clock and with tears in my eyes I raised arms as I crossed the line.
I found Sara and we hugged. She beat her goal too- a new half marathon PR for her! And as we pounded the pavement over the last couple months and through 13.1 miles of Fort Wayne, a new friendship was built.
We did it. I did it. A new PERSONAL best half marathon time. It is not about the people I beat. It is about me verses me and moving forward in this journey. It is about setting the example for my kids because I knew my two little munchkins were in the stands cheering me all the way to the finish. It is more than an example to lead a healthy life, it is about setting goals and attaining them.
Your turn- tell me!
What is a goal you have recently set and achieved?
Tell me about a favorite event or competition.
That’s really amazing! I’m way past having babies, but my goals are to crush the perceptions that getting older means you slow down. I’m certainly no where near as fast as you, but I’m pretty happy to be running splits in the 8:30-8:45 range!
Wow that’s pretty amazing! I did not know you were so speedy!! How inspirational really. Hope you are resting this week.
Wow–what a great job! I don’t have any races coming up so I am stressing about everyone else’s training programs.
Awesome awesome job! And you should be proud! I’m proud for you. Way to go!!!
Congrats on your new PR! That’s quite an incredible pace!
that’s amazing! congratulations.
That is amazing! Congratulations! You should be so proud of yourself!
Congrats on the PR!!! It is surprising to me when I hear a recap of someone who is so much faster than me and how they struggle and push through to the end. I always think its the slow people like me who struggle, but we all have to overcome to get to that PR. Congrats again
Wow, amazing!! So proud of you!! And how cool to end in a baseball stadium on the jumbotron!! I would love to be able to hit that time someday!!
ahhhhh CONGRATS!!!!! That is an amazing pace!! WOOOHOOO!!!
Spectacular race Hollie! That had to feel so great to crush your goal. I swear some of my best running was done soon after having my kids. Congrats to both of you!
LOVE that you got to finish with your pic on the jumbotron. Would love to experience that (I might change my tune if I look like a red tomato though haha)
I love to hear the announcer call my name when I cross the finish line. Way to crush your goal!
Wow, congrats! What an amazing accomplishment! My best half was 1:54 and right now I couldn’t even touch it, but you give me hope someday I will.
Congratulations! Nice job on the PR.
I’m not fast and I don’t really train to get faster. My goals are more about endurance – I ran 6 half marathons in 6 days just over a week ago and now I have 7 in 7 as my spring goal.
Congratulations on your new PR. I love the positive self talk!
way to go – that is so awesome. and congrats to your friend as well.
that is so awesome – congrats on the PR! Always feels good to finish strong in a race, as opposed to feeling like you’re struggling. Really cool you got to finish on a baseball field too and see yourselfon the big screen. Nice job!