The Diva Half

So after weeks of what i feel was half ass training - i packed up my bags, my best friend and running partner from work and headed on a big jet plane to Long Island for the Diva Half Marathon. I was extremely excited for several reasons - i hadn't run a long race since Nov, i was going away on a girls long weekend and we were staying in NYC for the last 2 nights of our trip!! My friend Cassie was pretty nervous. She had high stakes. As girls who embrace their inner tortoises Cassie had a pretty hefty personal record to beat - me, not so much. Cassie kept talking about us running a 2:15 half - that's a 10:15ish pace - impossible for the girl (me) whose training runs were at an 11:30 pace. I promised to try, but knew that Cassie would leave me in the dust. My personal goal for myself was an 11:00min pace or around a 2:24 half. I would be happy with that. I admit, i would be disappointed that i hadn't kept up with Cassie, but would still be happy with that run.

We woke up bright and early after not sleeping much - who can sleep the night of a big race? Got dressed, ate, and out the door we went. It was pretty windy and pretty chilly. Should we have worn long sleeved shirts? We lined up with the other 3000 divas and just like that - the race was under way. It was pretty crowded for those first couple of miles - and Cassie kept pushing me to run a 10:15 pace. Neither of us are very good at pacing so we just ran - hard, heaving breathing, no talking running. Before we knew it we were passing the 3 mile mark, then the 6 mile mark - no talking - just running and breathing. We stopped at every water stop drank our water and then back to pavement pounding. It was nice to be running with a huge group of women, celebrating strong women from everywhere.

By mile 7 my legs were getting sore and i let Cassie go ahead of me while i walked a bit. I caught my breath, stretched my legs and sprinted to catch up with Cassie. I did this several times before i realized that the sprinting to catch up with Cassie was killing me. Aound mile 9 we separated for good. I always tried to keep her in my sight but i was letting her do her thing - and i was doing mine - and believe it or not - i was running a little slower than a 10 min pace!! Are you kidding me?? Mile marker after mile marker - the proof was on the clock!! I was doing it!!

Around mile 11 i knew the end was near. But Dude, those last 2 miles are brutal. As part of the Diva race, there was to be a boa and tiara station around mile 12. Just when i thought i couldn't go on any further, i turned a corner and here comes hundreds of women in hot pink boas and tiaras!! Run Divas Run!! I caught a second wind and ran to get mine. Mile 12 - 2:05 on the clock - i knew i could run a 2:15 half marathon if i stayed focused and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. That's all i could think about - crushing my old personal record by 15 minutes!! Are you kidding me!!

I crossed the finish line with the gun time at 2:17 and some change. I was elated. I ran hard, i ran fast, i gave it my all. I'm not sure if I've ever been prouder of myself. Yes, I've pushed out 4 babies - 3 of which with out pain medication - but this may have been a tad bit harder. When you're in labor you CAN'T give up - when you're running you can. At the Diva half i kept going. I ran through the pain. I found my inner strength and i gave it my all. I am so proud of my accomplishment and am psyched about my next race and my new fast pace!! Run Diva Mom of 4!! Run!!