Every battlefield has triumphs, defeats and includes a high level of teamwork. My 3rd 1/2 marathon was no different.
Making excuses was not part of my game plan. I made a commitment to run this 1/2, knowing that it would take all the positive mental energy I could find.
This is where my battlefield begins.
I didn’t eat much prior to the race. In all honesty, I only ate 2 bananas, coffee, grilled chicken and a small portion of white rice leading up to the race. Keep in mind that the race didn’t begin until 5:30pm and having Colitis, I was nervous that if I ate much more than that, I’d have a lot of digestive problems. Still, I felt great before the race. I stood at the starting line not hungry at all, only freezing and emotional – anticipating what was about to come.
I put myself back in Corral 13 for this 1/2 marathon; last year I was in 5. This would hopefully see me through to at least a 2:00 finish. As the race began, I was feeling great. I had on 2 knee “assistants” to hold up my left knee. My pace was strong, I was confident and Eric Church’s, “Creepin’” has me soaring!
Knee Assistants
Around mile 3 or 4, I felt the first sting down my left knee. I knew that the faster I ran, the less it hurt, so I kept moving and put it out of my mind. Once mile 6-7 hit, the pains were even stronger. My tailbone began radiating pains throughout my entire left side. And so my mind had to tell my body, “You’re halfway there.” From miles 7-10, I never focused on the milage signs to the side of the road. I didn’t want to know; I just needed to focus.
Right around mile 10 (which is where my leg maxed out before), I began to really breakdown. I spent the mile “counting” as I always do when I need major distraction. (I count everything from days to calories to workouts to work numbers; anything that interests me numerically. And ps. It works! I do not count sheep, steps or other unimportant things to me. I encourage you to try it if you never have.)
The pain took over my counting right around mile 11. At that point I was essentially gimping and limping, but somehow still running. No, I’m sorry –> NOT somehow. Two things happened at that point mentally:
- I practiced the art of my yoga mind – breathing and focusing – tuning out the pain
- My mind told the right side of my body to takeover
Miles 11-13.1 were truly a complete accomplishment for me. I’m not sure I’ve ever had to be so mentally prepared in all my life. Truth be told, I almost collapsed as I crossed the line because my feet were cramped and “stuck,” and the left side of my body completely gave out. I had a 10-15 minute out-of-body experience.
My 3rd 1/2 marathon was a battlefield.
I battled with my body physically and mentally.
My body taught me even more about teamwork. The right side carried the left side through.
My body was a site for defeat. It yelled, screamed and hated on me, and it became defeated by further injury.
My body was a pillar for triumph. I crossed the finish line.
I said that I would cross the finish line if I had to “limp, walk or crawl” to get there. I put myself in Corral 13, hoping to complete in 2:00 hours.
Not only did I run the entire race, but I beat my “injured-time” goal.
Sarah Kay Hoffman Final Place and Time
A battlefield is a scary place. Stepping off the battlefield and walking away mentally and physically stronger than when you arrived is a victory. And we should never take these life lessons for granted. And for that, despite the pain and hassle of the unorganized race in general, it was worth it – each and every single moment of 1:57:19.
Question: Did you run this race? Thoughts?
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I have been using coconut oil for my fuel. I take a tablespoon to a tablespoon and a half and melt it in my tea before I run… I can run a half marathon on that and have energy to spare!!!
I love coconut, and I will definitely have to try that!
Finishing a half marathon is an awesome feat.
Finishing a half marathon injured is an incredible accomplishment.
Finishing a half marathon injured under two hours is super human.
Seriously.
Thanks for being such an inspiration Sarah and take care of that knee!
I second that! Job well done Sarah! On all accounts.
Thank you, Christine! I appreciate it.
Wow, amazing story! What a great accomplishment!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
You ROCKED it Sister!!!! Awesome job pushing through to the end
You always finish what you start one way or another and in a positive place and for that I truly admire you.
Awww…thanks, Kelly! Ryan just gave me a foot massage! Today was rough, but I am certain that each day will get better. Thanks for your awesome support:)
Wow Sarah, what a truly inspiring story that makes me want to go run right now! Thank you for sharing and showing what a for reals super woman is! Keep on rocking it!
You are too kind, Jordan! Injured…yet, it makes me want to run, too:)
Congratulations!!!! I completely agree with Ryan, you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you so much for sharing your story, I am in Marathon training now, I will use your yoga mental focus when it gets tough and right now all my long runs have that point of “I can’t go on”
take care of your knee and the right side too:)
Most welcome! Thank you for the kind words, Debbie!
Huge congrats to you Sarah on working through the pain and finishing the event. A half marathon is always something to be proud of.
Hard to believe that it’s been a year since we both ran the Vegas 1/2 Marathon… how time flies.
Hope your recovery comes quickly, and that you can continue running some more races!
I know…my how time flies! I will never forget tweeting with you and the Mrs. while there last year. I hope to run with you all someday!
WOOOOHOOOO! You are amazing.
Thank you, Kerri!
Wow, congrats on a super effort Sarah!! Way to battle through! That race is definitely on my “must-do” list, loving Veas as much as I do.
Funny you mentioned your “counting”. I did something similar when I ran my first marathon in the spring. Around mile 16, my quad cramped up horribly. To stop thinking about it, I constantly “did math” in my head to see if my shortened pace was going to get me under 5:00 or not. Certainly kept me busy.
Hi Joe!
YES!!! Those are the exact types of games I play. I was going to do that with the time, but I didn’t use my Nike+ Sportband this time and I didn’t feel like getting my Nike+ GPS on my phone out all the time to see what I was pacing at:) THAT is a fun game, though. Thanks, Joe!
You go girl! Injured and all you finished that race in record time! One day I’ll be as fast as you (in my dreams)!
Thank you:) One day I will be healed enough to train for a sub 1:40! That’s my goal!