This is not about college football.
3 years ago, I read an article in Fitness Magazine titled, "Yes, You CAN Run a Half-Marathon." I followed the training plan to a T and toed the line of my first Half in May of 2010.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GvQrNIOJ7vN1JxDvJMkMSRb9dgI8Uafo_ZjZAzUDhwC8quGR_YaO1LV1eM4IgEJV_dyzXFwnbHpS8K1wRQckT9Iww_cnOqmiw1wdyptYQytLx5hRiktosCTLbgDYHzO5NgpTa_gaZC0x/s320/DSCN0135.JPG) |
#1 - Katie Lynch Heartbreak Hill Half |
I wore a brand new shirt, a brand new fuel belt and tried brand new gels. I also pinned my bib to my boobs, instead of my stomach. Newbie much?
Tomorrow, I will toe the line of my 10th half marathon. I couldn't think of a better way to run my 10th than to just go out and have fun. I won't be trying to PR. I won't be stressing about pace. Instead, I'll be focusing on
Ally and how she's feeling and pacing her, instead. I've learned a thing or two in 10 half-marathons and made some amazing friends along the way. Here's a look back at those races.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gXeCHi_53LJafzGdXUx543Wk-tt796beD4Qpd8ogu29QB5M-_ZbKAVr4jz6wSAskGEsN8sYeOAYk3wMSF0q-2k6mVKx83cHB-tY3TvLmNutI9zwJKPiqz4p7T-Q6agjedarSpAhlTwWL/s320/Divas2.PNG) |
#2 - The Diva's Half |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY_u5Au23WFaQQ4ZpRlT-8iBWqGf_glypC-gjQa0W2JYsrVsx7aeJ6sceouXlipDKo-UHBUQEXPXAuMFqXZCQXiFeOnpPD27_8LReIroXx4N7XCZzfD2Vvw4e0LMkoGteZ7BXcDBKqnG-/s320/NYC+Half+7.jpg) |
#3 - NYC Half (first sub-2) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDYYxCu3GgbIg8fcshEykRlIGmkjNxoDtGMcbzhanO1IZX8HrtHsLAONoW3fz0-Ml9POccvaTSDEWI_CB-yxwux7rwBwuJ2s2ucF0BTRax-SncDReEsRv-cwErqcomtm162Jg8mfshEsy/s320/Grete%2527s3.jpg) |
#4 Great's Great Gallop...and a new PR |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVB6WtfDkV0BJC8XAKrwGUhQtAP47JfVVxQMZXhraW5JoRVT502vPIF3JIRBP7LBs-4OI_HbOqy9lgHFVqoPE4VeGRrs0tDg4xkYEq14hlucuqybixsSNlPDRGFd7Zq6NNBJVhC2qYGvV/s320/SI+Half.JPG) |
#5 Staten Island (worst race ever) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw5uZPCaj2ZQlkCsdsZ5-lxlRAw_ZiufBeaT-oYdfYsDn2FnEP4qBpW53P_i3gJ9ZN9v3Cb_I6ZE_4tB2z7eN0PrarV5IZ6ducbuMxr0_H-6MGhhQg7XZKpisuu-QyO4zj5JXRdHwYIXj/s320/Philly.JPG) |
#6 Philly (current PR) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJe753Zn6KoAz9vnF4JFYXPOaHuVy8jz4Q2XvgEK6ELgBvXW5WHEMivLUrNlB_cE3KmP4s2KWrfbSceN2uF0xDsxoNP1UNG7mgAqbGHeLlVlZCj5ghxx2Zr9uXiij_gj2PyYc5igy9gh2/s320/Cowtown2.JPG) |
#7 Cowtown |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIWtAvX5bCbslXKT8-4KATRs0BjTQARAk9CwoYfsgA9H02ysP1ibITh5bRlkXkuA1hlLnkEbyHs8uqx67OjkOHsRTJK31N_JmuXBv93hg2pRmBPCZfCxI1hNW1mw3wxdIg9IDhwNe3fli/s320/2012-09-16_11-37-10_836.jpg) |
#8 Philly Rock 'n' Roll |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzipEuQgCAWcL9MwnUUmzNdmmRmfS12mB8LVPFH7UaQz_IKY5rdI5KN5lpZ_Qv4GVoO6tjuuZ3MbF6Kpt1D3yI67LyRGVu7w-AJ-ZLLDdKyeKHfsuiFXA5aQfrdFczJNSMFo6JRBqId-C0/s320/pre+race.jpg) |
#9 MDI |
My running journey has brought me to the start of 9 half marathons, 5 full marathons and numerous other races. I've changed a lot as a runner and learned quite a lot along the way, but I still consider myself a new runner. Maybe I'm not making 100 mistakes on race morning since I'm a little bit more seasoned but the feeling I get every time I hit the pavement for one of those oh-so-perfect runs, is enough to make me feel like I'm running for the first time, every time.
Here's to my 10th half-marathon and to many, many more.
YAY! Congrats! I'm so excited for you to run your 10th and with a friend :) It's so fun to look back at all your races and see your accomplishments! I'm proud of you, Christy! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm running my 10th half marathon this weekend too! Good luck and have fun this weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I'm just starting the training for my first but it's great to see that people like them enough to get up to 10!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on number 10! And what a great goal to be able to pace a friend to a PR! Have fun with it! What a big racing weekend it is. I'm so excited to be running a half this weekend as well. I think it's 9 or 10 for me; I need to count. I am running for a PR, though. I did one for fun a couple of weeks ago and am ready to bust out a solid number. Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteYou are my running sage! Good luck tomorrow! I am sure you will be an awesome pacer!
ReplyDeleteCongrats you are doing great!
ReplyDeleteI am training for my 6th full marathon.
You are truly my inspiration!! I love the running plan you've shared with me, and while I haven't been able to follow it to a T, it's definitely helped me and will continue to help me. Maybe I will one day say I've ran 10 half-marathons!! Keep up the amazing work, Christy!!
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