Saturday, August 7, 2010

Update! HM Race Recap + 18 Miler

Sooo I've been missing. Truth is I've been struggling. But, I'd like to give a quick update on how I'm doing for the few of you that are following me :D A lot has been happening in my "running world" so here it is!

August 1st - Chicago Rock n'Roll Half Marathon

Now a quick race recap... I made the cardinal mistake of getting overly excited and NOT taking my walking breaks that I've been taking during my training. So, long story short at mile 11 i just kinda died. Walked the last 2 miles with a few short running breaks. Finished in 2:27:11. Pretty proud of that time since it included a LOT of walking. Met a few very cool people. Experienced my first long distance race, so overall I met my goals. Oh and did I mention I had BRONCHITIS! Yeah.... I also got very sick (intestinal-wise) after the race. Note for anyone else running this race - the porta-potties in the beer tent don't have lines ;D)

Next....

18 miler today! I survived!
























4:00am-8:00am - 80-82degrees - 90% humidity

It was ROUGH. It kinda switched from "good" to "ick" back and forth for the first 16 miles. Then at 16 miles I had a MAJOR panic attack. I don't know what happened but I freaked out. Couldn't breathe, almost passed out. We walked for a mile and then I was able to run again for the last mile. It was super weird. I have panic attacks somewhat often but never during a run before. I think I just exacerbated the situation because I felt it coming on and then got even more anxious because I didn't want to have a panic attack in front of my running buddies which just made it worse. A couple cars stopped and asked if I needed a ride home which made it even MORE embarrassing. Oh well... it happens. Nobody has ever died from a panic attack so I just keep telling myself that when they happen :D.

But, it's done :D Yay!

18 comments:

  1. Hey! I just saw your race pics on Daily Mile and wondered if I'd missed a race recap. Guess not :)

    Double congrats are in order. Getting that half marathon in is a great accomplishment. I bet you feel like a champ - you should!

    And 18 miles is about the distance that separates marathoners from non-marathoners. 18 miles is a great distance. it is in the Land of High Mileage. Job well done!

    Also, is that a tat I see? Nice.

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  2. Congrats on your 13.1, and very awesome job on your 18 miles :D

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  3. Hey girl, wtg on the half mary!!!! I'm very happy for you. :)

    You ran right by my Nana's old house on your 18 miler! She lived over on Horatio. :) I'm glad you were able to walk through your panic attack. It sucks when that happens, luckily I've only been through 1 while running, and hubster was there to help me. Just take it easy, walk it off, and keep running. :)

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  4. I get such a crazy range of emotions while running, I'm not too shocked you had a panic attack. I'm impressed you recovered from it and finished your run! I used to have them all the time and then I got behavioral therapy to treat them - it was so genius for me and basically "cured" me. It was basically just a series of exercises I had to do week after week to "condition" my body to accept the physical parts of the panic attack, which then lessened the experience.

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  5. Keep plugging away. It's not about speed. It's about finishing.

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  6. Congratulations on your HM...Wicked Tattoo btw...
    18miles was your first long run...it will get easier...you toughed it out...running is about the process and I think you did amazing!!!

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  7. I am so happy you made it through that panic attack.

    And wow! Congrats on the race! You did well, especially for walking the last 2 miles.

    And you have the coolest tattoo ever!

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  8. Congratulations on your half marathon and for sticking to the 18 miler, through a panic attack, that took real guts, massive pat on the back.

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  9. Be proud of your time! I did the RnR Chicago also and really struggled toward the end. The humidity was absolutely insane!

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  10. Nice job at RnR. That'll give you some confidence
    I raced as well and failed. Like MW said, the humidity was awful and I had major stomach issues at Mile 6

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  11. Hey girl, you look fab-tastic in that photo. Congrats on running a great race. I am in awe that you start your runs at 4am! Such dedication. It will certainly pay off come October :)

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  12. Welcome back! You've been MIA for too long!!!

    Great job on the half!! And WHOA!! on the sport bra look. Sounds like that run from a while back where you put your shirt on your head has really inspired you! :)

    Good for you!

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  13. I didn't know you had a tatoozle! Congratulations on the RnR half. I saw a bunch of people running at the turn-around point while I was running on the lakefront path. Maybe I saw you from a distance!

    Wow, your panic attack sounds scary! I'm glad you were able to recover.

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  14. Great job at RnR Chicago! It was such a brutal day, I don't know of anyone who met their goal time. But it was still so much fun, right??

    Btw I LOVE your race photos!!!

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  15. Awesome race! Love the pics - and it was HOOOOTTTT that day - I ran with my sister for those last few miles along the lake, and almost suffocated from the humidity. Nice job sticking with it - next up, Chicago Marathon!

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  16. Holy cow! Great job on the HAlf! And then the 18 miler! What awful running temps and humity! Man you are a trooper! Great job!

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