Just wanted to let you know that I did it! I did my half at Grandma’s (Duluth) on Saturday. My goal time was 2:15 and my chip time was 2:14. I was thrilled. It was stinkin hot and humid which made the showers people had rigged up and the water stops with ice and sponges an absolute life saver! I was just reading about your North Olympic half feelings at 11 – that is exactly where I started dying. I started using your 8 count – I was amazed at how it was able to distract me. That got my to my family. The belly dancers got me through 12 1/2 and the last half mile felt like about 10. But I gutted it out and finished in good form. I really need to learn what the heck a Carb boom is. I could have used some kind of boom at that point, like maybe a sonic boom behind me to propel me forward. I lost four minutes off my pace the last 3 miles. I was on pace for a 2:10 up until the 10 miles mark. Something to work on. I am totally running another one soon!! Can’t believe I said I wouldn’t run again!
Thanks for your ideas and inspiration. The 8 count and the advice to look at the miles behind, not the miles ahead – they stayed with me during the marathon.
Take care,
Lisa