51 Seconds

On October 27th, 2012, I ran the Provo Halloween Half Marathon.  This was also my very first half marathon!  I finally did it.  I've been wanting to run a half for a long time, I just never knew if I could get myself to actually do one.  I love running, but racing for 13.1 miles?!  That's crazy.

That's what I thought until I signed up, started training, and finished.  I felt amazing.  I didn't really have a specific goal for the race, except that I would prefer to get under 2 hours.

Since it was a Halloween run, I dressed up.  My costume: A Scuba Diver.  And I must say.....it was creative and awesome.  I ran with the foam flipper for about the first couple miles.  then I trashed them (they got a bit annoying).

Super early morning waiting for the shuttle buses

The morning of the race my sister Tierney drove me to the University mall where we had to wait for our shuttle buses.  The sun hadn't risen yet, that's how early it was.  I waited in the cold line with a blanket around me for what felt like forever.  I made a friend though.  She was also running her first half marathon.  Unfortunately I forgot her name. :(  But we rode on the bus together and talked and then stuck together until the start of the race.  I was in the wave before her and went on my way to start.  I was nervous and excited.

GO!

I ran.  The first three miles were pretty much downhill so I was quite speedy.  I think I ran the fastest three miles I have ever ran.  But the downhill wasn't so nice the whole way.  Around mile 7 my knee started to feel the pain.  I was unhappy and kept telling myself, I don't care if my knee blows out after the race, but it better not do so now!  I had to run through the pain.

Not only that, but I was worried about my time.  I was scared that I was even slower than I thought.  I saw the 2:10 pacer which was way behind me, but I didn't see the 2:05, so I was starting to worry.  I knew this was my first half, but I expected more of myself.  Especially after training for 13 weeks.

I crossed the finish line sprinting and just hoping to finish with a decent time. I FINISHED!  My friend Ashley was nice enough to come find me when I finished.  It was nice to see a friendly face when I was done.  My sister met up with us a little later.  I was really happy to have them both there.  :)  

My super supportive sister!

I felt great and didn't bother to think about my time.  I was thinking between 2:05 and 2:10 though.  Oh well.  I finally checked that item off my bucket list.  And it was a fun race.  The course ran down provo canyon, which was beautiful.  I wish I had a camera while I was running.  The leaves and the colors.  I was reminded of how much I love running outside in the beauty of nature.

The infamous herse and the dead scuba diver

When I finally checked my time a little while after the race I was nervous.  I scrolled down the list of people and realized I was faster than I thought.  Then I came upon my name.

Tiegan Hatch 2:00.51

51 Seconds over the two hour mark.

Honestly I was a little angry at first, but I soon laughed about it.  51 seconds could have been made up anywhere!  And I can blame my knee all I want, but that doesn't change the time.  So that's that.  And I'm still proud of myself.  Because I ran.  And I didn't stop running.

Until after the race, when I let my body take a rest from running and training strictly.  I think I finally ran again about 4 weeks later.  A good four mile run which felt amazing.

Now, about two months later, I have signed up for another half marathon.

2013 Canyonlands Half Marathon.

This time I have a goal.  I WILL get under the two hour mark.

Let's run.

Runaway Girl