I Am A Marathoner

Today is actually the one year anniversary of my first ever race – the Holy Half Marathon at Notre Dame. I find it very fitting that exactly one year after I proved to myself that I could simply be a runner, I have proved to myself that I can push my body to run a marathon.

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I  slept decently well last night and was ready to go when my alarm rang at 5am. I drank some hot lemon water while I got dressed.

I felt good – excited and just a little nervous.

I was worried I might not be in the mood for breakfast so early, but my stomach felt fine and I had my normal pre-run breakfast of a whole wheat English muffin with almond butter and 1/2 banana around 5:30 before heading to LB’s apartment.

{fun fact: last night at 8pm I was getting my breakfast things out and I realized my Dad had eaten the last of my English muffins without telling me. Now rational Clare would see that we had plenty of toast and sandwich thins that I could eat instead, but nervous Clare freaked out and drove to Whole Foods in her flowery pajamas to buy a new bag. I just knew I would be more relaxed if everything could go exactly as planned.}

LB’s boyfriend Kevin was nice enough to pick us up from her apartment and drop us off at the start. LB, her friend Jackie, and I all went down together and immediately got in the port-a-potty line. It took 45 minutes (!!) and eventually RIGHT before 7am we got to use them. I was relieved that things were “moving” before I started the run 😉

Right after we got to our place in corral C it was time to go! We crossed the start about 10 minutes after 7am and were able to keep a pretty good pace despite the crowds. Our splits were in the 8:30-9 minute range for the beginning of the run which made me nervous since I hadn’t trained that quickly, but I really wanted to run with the girls.

It was freaking HOT. It was already 70 degrees at 6am which is much warmer than any of the weather we trained through, so I made sure to get a mix of Gatorade and water at the water stops. I took GUs at miles 6.5, 13, and 18 and was drinking a full glass of both Gatorade and water at each mile after 16.

By the halfway mark we were getting pretty tired. Jackie didn’t feel well and we ended up leaving her behind for walking breaks (she told us to!). At mile 15 I told LB to go on ahead of me as I need a quick walk break as well. She yelled “you’ll catch me!” but I was doubtful.

My legs were pretty sore earlier than I had hoped, probably due to the crazy amount of hills in the race. After mile 15 I started a run/walk strategy. If I could run to the next water stop (a mile away) I could walk through it for a little break. I also walked up a few of the hills. Almost every runner around me was doing the same.

Somehow at mile 24 I saw LB up ahead of me. I really did catch her! I think she took fewer walk breaks but was running a little slower, while I walked more but kept my running a bit quicker. I was SO glad to find her so we could finish together.

It was rough. It was hot and we were both struggling, but we both wanted this so badly and pushed through to the end. We finished holding hands in 4:03:31, a time I am absolutely thrilled with despite having to talk walking breaks.

I actually didn’t see my family at all on the race course. They said it was really hard to park and get there, and even though they were at one of the intersections we just completely missed each other. I was so happy to find them at the finish line!! My parents, older brother and friend, and some girlfriends met me there cheering.

The girls even brought me a bottle of champagne to pop! I had a little sip but was not exactly in the mood 🙂

At this point I don’t know that I feel the need to run another full marathon, but my right leg also feels like it’s going to fall off. Ask me again in a few days and I might feel differently. It took 18 weeks of training, a few sacrifices and a lot of hard work, but now it’s official:

I Am A Marathoner.