I did it!

I finished my first event of the 2011 season yesterday!!!!

I ran the Colfax Half Marathon and had a blast!  It felt so darn good to be participating in an event again.

There I was, at 6 am, lined up with all the other thousands of people…waiting for the line to move toward the start.  My fingers where gently hoovering over my Garmin.  I was dressed in my full winter garb and was ready to see where my fitness was at.  It had been close to one full year since I ran as far as 13.2 miles and today was going to be my litmus test.  I was ready….teacher…give me the exam!

I started off toward the very back of the pack (my friends decided on one last potty break…).  I took my time running at my slow, warm up speed.  As the miles went by and the time went by, next thing I new I was half way through.  I was feeling warmed up (despite a cold wind and freezing drizzle) and noticed I was picking up my pace.

As we began to head back to City Park for the final 6 miles I really began to get into a groove.  I started to pick up my pace, minding my cadence.  I began to pass person after person.  I think only about 3 people passed me for the whole 6 miles.  I was just having a blast and feeling that groove.  That easy, effortless run.

Just a side note here- I recently tried running in some K-Swiss shoes for a few runs…and went back to my tried and true Newtons.  I so love my Newtons!  They really do make running effortless!

So, there I was running through an Aurora Fire Dept Station, loving life and the day.  As I cruised down 17th Ave I continued to pick up my pace, leaning forward, quick cadence, arms back…etc.

As I crossed Colorado Blvd and ran into City Park I saw the sign for mile 12.  I made it!  Only 1.1 miles to go!!!!  And that’s when I really let it all go!  Up until this point I had never really gotten near my lactic threshold.  With 1 mile left to go, I began to flirt with it.  I began that dance of, how fast can I go, how long can I hold this????

I held back mostly because I was afraid I would blow up and not finish strong.  When I got within about 1/4 mile of the finish I really went for it.  I stopped being afraid (I was close enough now) and just hit my LT.  I was breathing hard! I cruised into the finish shoot, feeling good and strong.

I’m very pleased with my performance. I had absolutely NO idea what my fitness was like, how I would feel, how I would do….It’s been almost one year since I quit training due to Adrenal Fatigue….and today, without a doubt….I can say that I’m BACK!!!!!!!!   I just finished my first half marathon since being diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue and I am very pleased!