Mini recaps of the races I've run (8 total so far):
1st Annual 5k through Poland Township (aka my first race.. ever.) - May 1, 2010
This race was rough. About a week before the race I realized I had exercise induced asthma, and it wasn't yet under control. This race started at Poland Middle School, went through the woods (which didn't help my asthma), around the manner and back to the school. I struggled the entire way, could barely breathe but I finished in 33:55. Not too shabby under my standards.
Cleveland Rite Aid 10k - May 15, 2010 PR
This is the same race where I will run the marathon in 2011. This race was also not so good. My asthma still was not under control. To make a long story short: asthma attack around mile 2, nausea setting in - kept running - vision began blacking out, couldn't breathe - kept running - turn to the finish line, nausea overwhelming, tunnel vision - threw up on the finish line and spent the next hour and a half in the emergency medical tent on a nebulizer causing me to miss my dad finish the half. I finished in 1:13:58, about an 11:54 pace.
Towpath Half Marathon - October 10, 2010
Again, not a good race. Starting that Friday I began feeling sick. I tried everything possible to attempt to get better by Sunday and was not successful. I had a fever and the worst congestion ever but there was no way I was not running. My dad ran with me or I simply wouldn't have made it. The first few miles were fine but I struggled much of the way. I kept moving and triumphantly crossed the finish line in 2:49. At least my asthma was okay, but I did throw up again.. .05 miles from the finish line. And yes, I'm well aware that 2:49 is painfully slow, but I reached my goal and crossed the finish line; it's all the same medal, folks! My next one will be better =)
Habitat for Humanity 5k - November 6, 2010
Much more successful. Once again, I ran with my dad. This race started at a local church in Poland, we made 2 laps around a nearby neighborhood and finished back at the church. We ran this in 31:47, an average pace of 10:14!! I set a personal record by 2:08, which is a lot when you're only doing 3.1 miles. I felt relatively good the whole race except for nausea that almost got the best of me. Once again, turned the corner to the finish and almost threw up (I need to get to the bottom of this nausea issue). Anyways, the race organizers called and said I needed to come pick up my medal.. I guess I finished 3rd in my age group, which is even more unbelievable =)
Feed the Need 5k - November 27, 2010 PR
If I could choose one word to describe this day it would be windy. Very windy. And the giant hill at the very beginning was just cruel. It was cold and snowing and windy. Basically, I did not want to get out of bed to run.. but I did. Once again, I ran with my dad, however, this time I did not run with my Garmin. Not on purpose, I forgot it. Even so we finished in 31:45, a PR by 2 seconds. I didn't feel that great for this run, I woke up with a headache and feeling slightly nauseated and that didn't improve throughout the run.. And I threw up at the finish line, again. Oh well, still a successful morning in my book =)
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler - April 3, 2011 PR
Hands down the most beautiful course I've run yet. The cherry blossoms were blooming, the weather was perfect and I got to run with my dad again. It was too crowded to try to run very fast so my dad and I decided to just enjoy the run. We stopped and took pictures and had a blast. We finished in 1:51:39 and the course was 10.11 miles, so not too shabby overall really. I think that's a 10:58 pace, and I guess you can call it a PR since I've never officially raced this distance before. This was by far my favorite race yet!
Cleveland Rite Aid Half Marathon - May 15, 2011 PR
The most rewarding race that I've run. It was rainy and foggy. My arthritis flared up at mile 4, my hips hurt terribly, I had cramps and I honestly wasn't sure if I would finish. A lot of my friends and family came out to support me and they are the reason I made it to the finish line. Despite all this I still PRed with 2:28:16, 21 minutes faster than the Towpath Half in October =)
This race was absolutely brutal. It was in the 80s the entire race, the pollen count was super high, there was a 5 mile stretch of just straight hills and my asthma was trying to kill me. I barely finished and had to walk the last 5 miles. Thank God my dad was there! I was very proud of myself that I finished and didn't quit, definitely my most deserved medal. This was my slowest race ever but I didn't even care. Finishing is finishing =)
Here's the link to my Diabetes Action Team page. I'm running this marathon to raise money for necessary research. Please check it out and donate! It's a great cause and a lot of people need our help! We can make a difference =)
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