Cowlitz Valley Runners - View topic - Fit For Life 1/2 Marathon - A place where undesirables gather... - Free Message Board Hosting by FreePowerBoards.com

Well, I traveled by plane for the first time to run a half marathon. My long lost friend whom I converted into a runner, moved to Idaho a year ago. She trained to run her first half with me. I am so proud of her achievement.

The Fit for Life Half was in Boise, Idaho. It started at Hawks baseball stadium and the course was an out and back on the Boise river greenbelt, which was a paved bike path that followed the river. The course was gorgeous! The weather wasn't too hot since we started early, 7:30am. It was warm but bareable. The beginning of the race was a little slow because we had funnel onto the bike path. It took me about a mile to break out of the pack and get some breathing room.

I started out feeling great! And thought I just might pr since the course was the flattest I'd ever ran. ... that thought was short lived. I had to use the bathroom at mile 4, thank goodness there was one. I've never had to stop in a race before to pee, so I lost some time there. By mile 9 I was starting to feel pretty rough, my water was sloshing in my stomach and I was willing it to stay down. The remaining 4 miles seemed like eternity, my stomach was upset and my mental state was fading fast. Thank goodness the course was beautiful. Smile

The final miles ticked by slowly. The path being permanently marked at every tenth of a mile was really gruelling towards the end. I could have done with out that but what can you do.

The finish line was on homebase in the stadium. That was a nice touch! They gave out great finisher medals and nice tech shirts all for the registration fee of $25 (and a plane ticket of course). Age group awards were these great glass trophy plaques.
My finish time was barely under 2 hours. 1:59.25. My friend finished in 2:12 which was a fantastic time I thought especially since she wasn't really able to get in any long run training.

All and all it was a great experience since I was able to be with my friend when she completed her first half. She looked strong throughout her race, I was proud of her. My state on the other hand was not so much but I guess everyone has a bad race.