Race Reports

Susan Morrison: Rock and Roll Half Marathon,
Virginia Beach, August 31, 2008

My very first half marathon began with an early rise at 5:15 am (to be truthful, that is like getting up for a regular Galloway summer run!).  As I dressed, my head filled with questions. Would I finish the race?  Would I finish within the 3 hour goal I set for myself?  Would I have fun?  I was to soon find out the answers to all of these questions.

We headed to the starting line and our race corrals.  It was amazing to see how many runners were there - over 16,500 people all ready to race 13.1 miles.  Luckily, I had run into 2 Raleigh Galloway runners at the expo the afternoon before the race, so I knew the fun would be in corral 21.  I found the group, which by that time contained 6 Raleigh Galloway women, and we headed to the front of our corral.

A mere 38 minutes later, we were ready to start.  We were off to a fast start, so fast that I was concerned that I would not be able to keep the pace.  Then, the unthinkable happened.  My Garmin, which I had set to the 2/1 interval, jammed.  I tried to reset it, but instead made the problem much worse.  The display was jammed with the high pitched beep ringing away.  I could not get the watch to reset or even shut off (yes, it squealed for 13.1 miles and a good hour after the race!).  I was in a panic, and we weren't even 1 mile into the course!

I was so upset and angry at the same time.  I was so glad to have my running group.  They kept the intervals going, and it seemed just like running the trails at home.  Still, I was disappointed that I would not be able to run the race I wanted to run, but the race of the group. 

Our group soon went from 6 runners to 3 runners.  We headed into the neighborhood areas of the course, then onto the military base.  At about each mile, a new band was there to help us keep going.  There were cheerleaders from what seemed to be every school within 25 miles of Virginia Beach.  They were a great help after the halfway point.  I cannot tell you how many hands I slapped, but each kept me moving forward.

By about mile 9.5, I could see that our group was slowing.  After many, many water breaks and constant water dumps on my head, I was feeling good.  The heat and humidity did not seem like a problem, and I really wanted to reach my goal time.  I decided to strike out on my own - without a watch. 

At first, I thought I would just keep count.  I made it to about 100, and realized it would not last over the next 3.5 miles.  So, I listened to my body.  I ran when I could, and I walked when I felt like it.  I kept moving, and soon got downtown where there were many people to cheer us on.

I made the big turn to the boardwalk expecting to see the finish.  It wasn't visible.  I knew I had to be close, but where was the darn finish line?  Suddenly, it appeared along with the most beautiful sign - one that said 13 miles.  That last .1 mile was a killer, but I did finish the race with a smile on my face.

My questions were answered.  I finished the race.  Did I make my goal?  You bet!  I finished in 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 54 seconds.  Did I have fun?  Yes, it was awesome and I have a great medal to prove it. 

I met all of my friends on the beach for the after party, and we compared war stories.  We laughed, congratulated ourselves, and had fun.  I caught the bug, and am ready to run another half.

It turns out that I did get to run the race I wanted after all, and I am ready to do it all over again.