I am officially a marathoner!
I never imagined myself even saying that. This is the first thing I told myself after I crossed the finish line, got some Gatorade and water and looked down at the medal. I held back my tears, but I was so proud of myself!!!
Now fast forward to couple days ago.
THURSDAY
I celebrated my accomplishments for completing the 808 Race Hawaii Bioastin Marathon Readiness Series by participating in the 808 Race Hawaii's celebratory dinner.
During the last race I was able to chat with a friend who told me he lost 50 pounds and has done the marathon for 5 years. He said after the race series if you attend the 808 Hawaii race dinner you get a medal. I told myself it would be awesome to get a medal so I decided to sign up for the free dinner.
FRIDAY
After work I went to the Honolulu Marathon Expo at the Honolulu Convention Center. I picked up my packet, made my rounds around the expo. I did not buy anything, although I was very tempted, I left and headed home. I did some carb loading with some yummy chicken bake and baked snap pea snacks from Costco.
SATURDAY:
We had a family fun day! We participated in Hawaiian snow day, watched Coco then went to my Christmas Party at the bowling alley. I ate a whole bunch of junk! Grapes for breakfast, chicken and potato for lunch, 2 pieces of pizza, cake and salad for dinner.
It was an awesome day, but I am wondering if it was too much activities right before a marathon. I should of laid low and turn in early. Well I tired to turn in early but the Kapolei Christmas Party blocked the entrance to my neighborhood! So we went to my sister's house to crash for a few hours. I went to bed/nap at 7pm. It was hard to sleep... Left their house about 9pm to finally go home.
SUNDAY:
I woke up early at 2am. I drank my coffee, ate boiled egg and half a peanut butter sandwich. I was going to eat more, but I couldn't. I woke up my fiance by 3am so that he could drop me as close as he can get to the start of the finish line near Ala Moana Beach Park. I had to pee real bad and the bathroom room lines were very long. I went to both bathroom areaa, but couldnt wait so I peed next to a tree. I was ready to run now! There were so much Japanese people! I was at the yellow start area, but I did not want to finish late so I tried go closer to the orange start area so I could potentially finish earlier. I did not have a target finish in mind, I just wanted to complete it!
The race started with fireworks. It was beautiful to watch, but I wanted to get the race started. I started the race strong with a pace of 14 minutes/miles for the first 7 miles. It was a nice run around downtown into Waikiki. Then at about 8 miles I started to climb Diamond Head. It was not too bad. I slowed my pace during the uphill but as we descended down I used it to my advantage. I was keeping up my pace until I hit about 11 miles. By this time I was entering Kalanianaole Highway my energy was winding down. I started to change my pace to a walk and run until I hit 17 miles, I had to take a pee break at the end of Hawaii Kai Drive. When I started the race again I was coming back on Kalanianaole Highway and I could not keep up with any running. I dramatically slowed my pace to just a walk. I really felt like giving up. My last long run was 18 miles, but I really was not sure if I could run any more. As much as I wanted to run , I was afraid my body would give out and I wouldn't be able to finish. I felt like I wasn't going to make it. I walked from mile 18-25.7. I finally saw the finish line in sight. I found my energy, second wind then I ran as much as I could until I got to the finish line. I felt very numb to finally finish this race. It was very surreal!
Official results: total time 07:29:22, pace 17:09 minutes/mile
Runner's High is real. I do not always feel it after a run, but when I do its an amazing feeling of accomplishment mixed with tiredness and willingness to do this crazy stuff again. I swear this lasted for the whole week. I wanted to get back to running ASAP, but told myself to relax and let muscles relax and repair.
Here is a picture of me with my 2 medals and my finisher's shirt. My next race is the GAR on 2/19/2018. I signed up with my daughter, my stroller baby. This may be our last year doing it this way. I will most likely sign up for the Readiness Series and Honolulu Marathon. The tricky part is I am getting married next year. Lets see how I will balance all that!
I never imagined myself even saying that. This is the first thing I told myself after I crossed the finish line, got some Gatorade and water and looked down at the medal. I held back my tears, but I was so proud of myself!!!
Now fast forward to couple days ago.
THURSDAY
I celebrated my accomplishments for completing the 808 Race Hawaii Bioastin Marathon Readiness Series by participating in the 808 Race Hawaii's celebratory dinner.
During the last race I was able to chat with a friend who told me he lost 50 pounds and has done the marathon for 5 years. He said after the race series if you attend the 808 Hawaii race dinner you get a medal. I told myself it would be awesome to get a medal so I decided to sign up for the free dinner.
So
I went stag, but to see the other racers, I actually enjoyed the
company of like minds. I am grateful I signed up and did this race
series. If it wasn't for 808 Race Hawaii, I may have not been as
prepared to do the marathon. It has been a great accomplishment to do all the races because that means I have ran/completed 111 K!
After work I went to the Honolulu Marathon Expo at the Honolulu Convention Center. I picked up my packet, made my rounds around the expo. I did not buy anything, although I was very tempted, I left and headed home. I did some carb loading with some yummy chicken bake and baked snap pea snacks from Costco.
SATURDAY:
We had a family fun day! We participated in Hawaiian snow day, watched Coco then went to my Christmas Party at the bowling alley. I ate a whole bunch of junk! Grapes for breakfast, chicken and potato for lunch, 2 pieces of pizza, cake and salad for dinner.
It was an awesome day, but I am wondering if it was too much activities right before a marathon. I should of laid low and turn in early. Well I tired to turn in early but the Kapolei Christmas Party blocked the entrance to my neighborhood! So we went to my sister's house to crash for a few hours. I went to bed/nap at 7pm. It was hard to sleep... Left their house about 9pm to finally go home.
SUNDAY:
I woke up early at 2am. I drank my coffee, ate boiled egg and half a peanut butter sandwich. I was going to eat more, but I couldn't. I woke up my fiance by 3am so that he could drop me as close as he can get to the start of the finish line near Ala Moana Beach Park. I had to pee real bad and the bathroom room lines were very long. I went to both bathroom areaa, but couldnt wait so I peed next to a tree. I was ready to run now! There were so much Japanese people! I was at the yellow start area, but I did not want to finish late so I tried go closer to the orange start area so I could potentially finish earlier. I did not have a target finish in mind, I just wanted to complete it!
The race started with fireworks. It was beautiful to watch, but I wanted to get the race started. I started the race strong with a pace of 14 minutes/miles for the first 7 miles. It was a nice run around downtown into Waikiki. Then at about 8 miles I started to climb Diamond Head. It was not too bad. I slowed my pace during the uphill but as we descended down I used it to my advantage. I was keeping up my pace until I hit about 11 miles. By this time I was entering Kalanianaole Highway my energy was winding down. I started to change my pace to a walk and run until I hit 17 miles, I had to take a pee break at the end of Hawaii Kai Drive. When I started the race again I was coming back on Kalanianaole Highway and I could not keep up with any running. I dramatically slowed my pace to just a walk. I really felt like giving up. My last long run was 18 miles, but I really was not sure if I could run any more. As much as I wanted to run , I was afraid my body would give out and I wouldn't be able to finish. I felt like I wasn't going to make it. I walked from mile 18-25.7. I finally saw the finish line in sight. I found my energy, second wind then I ran as much as I could until I got to the finish line. I felt very numb to finally finish this race. It was very surreal!
Official results: total time 07:29:22, pace 17:09 minutes/mile
Here is a picture of me with my 2 medals and my finisher's shirt. My next race is the GAR on 2/19/2018. I signed up with my daughter, my stroller baby. This may be our last year doing it this way. I will most likely sign up for the Readiness Series and Honolulu Marathon. The tricky part is I am getting married next year. Lets see how I will balance all that!
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