Stratton Faxon Half Marathon Recap

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On 6/23/13 I ran the Stratton Faxon Half Marathon. On 6/23/13 I put my training to the test and passed with flying colors. On 6/23/13 I pushed myself pass all limits. On 6/23/13 I left it all on the road that I ran. On 6/23/13 I became a Half Marathoner! Here’s the recap the Stratton Faxon Half Marathon.

Stratton Faxon Half Marathon Collage

Over the next 13.1 miles I:

  • had full blown conversations with myself
  • sang out loud… multiple times
  • got sprayed with water guns and water hoses
  • high five tons of runners and spectators
  • told jokes to other runners
  • laughed and cried in the same mile

Smooth Sailing.

Mile 1: 12:52

Mile 2: 12:20

Mile 3: 12:39

The first few mile was smooth sailing, even I wanted to start off running slower than what I actual did; however my nerves got the best of me and I knew I paid for it towards the end of the race. Around mile 2.5 there was a 99ft. climb and then another 82ft. climb around the 5k marker.  While other walked the hills it seems that I ran faster. I also recall drinking at every water station which left me full and uncomfortable.

Running Activity 13.37 mi - RunKeeper

 

Why did I run those hills?

Mile 4: 13:55

Mile 5: 14:00

Around mile 4 I was feeling a little gassed and light headed. I was also still full from all the water I drank. With everything going on that’s when I posed the question to myself, “Why in the hell did run those hills?” Around mile 4.5 I ate a half of pack of Gu Chomps. Initially I felt like it made things worst but then it started to level off. It also got really humid around this time and I was excited to see kids with water guns. You could hear me screaming at the kids “Shoot me! Shoot me please!”

Leveling off

Mile 6: 13:40

Mile 7: 13:29

Mile 8: 13:37

At the mile 6 marker I let out the loudest burp I ever heard in my life. “Whew! Thank God!”  I rejoiced as the fullness went away. I felt light as a feather again.  I also felt really good about miles 6-8, 13:30/mile was the pace I had set in my mind to do the whole race, so when I finally leveled off at that pace it felt great.

The return of the hills

Mile 9: 14:06

Mile 10: 15:42

Mile 11: 14:20

Around mile 9 I encountered the hills that I blazed through during mile 2 and 3 but in reverse order. The hills took a lot out of me this time around. I felt a little sick and short of breathe around mile 10. At this point I didn’t know if I was going to finish the race. I ate another half pack of Chomps  and told myself I’m not stopping until I collapse and if I don’t collapse I’m going to finish the race.

The hardest two miles of my life.

Mile 12: 14:41

Mile 13: 14:49

From mile 12 on all the spectators were saying, “You’re almost there!” The only came to my mind every time I heard someone that was, “LIAR!” My legs felt heavier and heavier with every step that I took. I repeatedly told myself just keep running. Then I saw a lady walking about a ¼ mile ahead of me, I said to myself, “Just pass her,” and that was enough motivation to keep me going for a while.  When I eventually pass the lady I felt great! I felt like all is good in the world. Then out of nowhere the lady started running and she zoomed pass me. She got about 100 meter front of me and started walking again. I said to myself, “Pass her again!” So I did and felt great about it; then she zoom pass me again, and started walking.  This went on about 5 or 6 times until I seen the finish line. Then I sprinted as fast as I could to keep her behind me as I finished the race.

Stratton Faxon Half Marathon collage

Official Half Marathon Time: 3:06:49 with a pace of 14:16/mi

Stratton Faxon Half Marathon Map

One word explains how I felt when I finished the race…nauseous.  My girlfriend wanted to take picture of me and  I’m trying my best to stay on my feet. I was thinking to myself, “I know this is a great accomplishment and all but I just want to pass out.”   I knew it was important to capture that movement so I just did whatever she said told me  to do.

Post-Race Dinner

After I dried off and got changed I went to my favorite post-race restaurant, Joey Garlic’s. This place has the best pasta I ever had in my life. For dinner I got the fettucini alla carbonara, which has bacon, sausage, proscuitto, grated cheese and egg in it.

Joey Garlic's

Being that I was still nauseous I didn’t get to eat much of it but it felt good to getting it anyway.

This is surreal… Never in a million years did I think I would be a half marathoner. It sounds good when you tell people, you’re training to run a half marathon, but you never think you would actually go through with it. Well sometimes you can even surprise yourself.

This shows that if you put your mind to something you can do it; if you weather the storm you can do it; if you have more good days than bad days you can do it; if you push yourself beyond all comfort zones you can do it; if you look within and see your own greatness you can do it; if you just try, I know you can do it.

Tune in tomorrow to find out what I learn from running the Stratton Faxon Half Marathon!

If you like what I’m doing please subscribe. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter:@300lbsandrunnin, Like the 300 Pounds and Running Facebook Page, if you are on: Instagram I’m @300PoundsAndRunning, YouTube: 300 Pounds and Running Dailymile: @300lbsandrunnin, and Nike Plus:@300PoundsAndRunning. Lastly I’ve create a group on Facebook called Crushing Goal Together… This is a new support group to help anyone plan, track, and crush goals, be sure to check it out.

Until next time I’m 300 Pounds and Running!

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