Wowza. I can say I ran a half marathon! It wasn’t easy – but I did it!

I have never been a long distance runner, but instead have always preferred HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and always struggled to increase my mileage and

maintain a steady pace. In Australia we don’t have cross country teams like American high schools. Instead, we have one day called “Cross Country Day” (very original, I know) where you run against people in your own school and the top few people in each age group would then go onto the next level and compete against other schools in the region. I would only compete and make sure I would place high enough to get to the next level so I could get the extra day out of class. That’s how non-committed I was to long-distance running

But that all changed yesterday morning I ran in the P.F Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon. I have had the idea of running a half in the back of my mind for about a year, I thought

it would be a good physical challenge and it was something on my bucket list. Now I can check it off!!

To prepare for the race I followed Hal Higdon’s Novice Training Program. I had heard good things about the program from other first-time marathoner’s and liked the idea that it incorporated both strength training and cross training so thought it would be a good fit for myself. Before starting the program I had only ever run 4 miles consecutively so I had a lot of work ahead of me, but figured it would be a good challenge and a healthy distraction from all of my internship work.

Although I would have loved to finish in just under 2 hours, I knew a realistic goal for me was between 2.05 and 2.10. My official time was 2 hr, 6 mins and 49 seconds so I for a first timer I was pretty happy with the result and right within my goal time.  I did, however, struggle a fair bit during the last 4.5 miles of the race. During training, my 9 and 10 mile runs went really well, I kept a steady pace and although I was tired at the end, I wasn’t completely exhausted. However, yesterday during the race I started to feel pretty sick toward the end of the 8th mile and continued to feel this way the remainder of the race. I told myself to keep going, just put one foot in front of the other. At times I’m sure I was more plodding than running, but I was still moving. I even stopped to take a few very brief walking breaks (my overall goal was to run the distance without stopping to walk, but I hadn’t planned on feeling so sick either!), but looking back at my mile

splits they only affected my average mile pace by less than 25 seconds – and they were definitely worth it and much needed.

Before the race, I had arranged to meet Kevin’s parents, Joan and Brian, near the finish line. As I was running down the tunnel, I barely looked around. All I wanted to do was set my eyes on the finish line and get there. But then I heard my name, looked around and saw a big Australian flag. Joan and Brian surprised me and arranged to get a big flag to make it easier to see them, such a fun idea – I loved it!

It also made it a lot easier to see them in the family reunion area post-race after I collected the finisher’s medal.

Overall, I’m so happy I decided to go for it and run a half marathon. Personally, increasing my mileage and knowing I have the ability to run longer distance was probably more mentally than physically challenging. With a sometimes crazy internship schedule, this would mean getting up at 4.40am to get to the gym, run or cross train, stretch and then be at the hospital by 7.30am. As someone who has always been involved in team sports this was one of the hardest things about training. I had to find my own motivation and hold myself accountable for sticking to the training plan and continually push myself with every run.  I had to motivate myself and cover distances I had never run the day after Thanksgiving, on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. But looking back, it was so worth it.