Four tries

Back in 2008, I wanted a new challenge in running. I have been running regularly since 2003 and run in many 5 and 10K races. I wanted something new. That is when I registered to run my first Detroit Free Press Half Marathon.

I didn't run the crazy miles I do today back in 2008. I was lucky if I ran 20-30 miles a week. I do remember training for it. Running over six miles back then was difficult for me as I was overweight. But after a while, running over that distance got easier. Leading up to the half marathon, my longest run ever was 10 miles. I didn't go any higher then that.

The day of the race, I ran and walked. I thought the Ambassador Bridge and the underwater tunnel were the steepest climbs ever. I wasn't the fastest or the slowest, but I did finish my first half marathon in 3:01:05. I remember after the race, how much my legs and body hurt. I said to my husband that I would never run a half marathon again. Two days later, I changed my mind and said I was going to run the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon again in 2009.

I did improve my time in 2009. I finished in 2:47:39. I was so proud of myself for running the entire way. I knew I wanted to do better, but I didn't know how I was going to do it.

I decided to lost weight at the start of 2010. Over the month leading up to the half marathon, I lost 80 pounds. With the weight loss, my running and times improved. So it was no big shock when I beat my previous half time by 44 minutes. I finished the 2010 Detroit Free Press Half Marathon in 2:03:14. I was so proud of myself. Even though I was proud, I was disappointed that I didn't get a sub-two hour time. The three standstills on the Ambassador Bridge and also starting in a far back corral didn't help. I was weaving all over the course passing slower runners.

Heading into this year's half marathon, my only goal was to run under two hours. I was hoping to do it, but I was unsure if I could do it. The week before the half, I ran my second 50K in 5:45. This year luck was on my side and I did it. I started in the first corral, which had no traffic. No standstills on the Ambassador Bridge and no weaving around slower runners. I was the one who was getting passed by all of the faster runners and I didn't care. I knew I was running my pace and race. I finished in 1:59:19. I made my goal and I was so happy.

I'm planning on running the half marathon again in 2012. It would be nice to run close to my PR or actually set a new one.

Detroit Free Press Half Marathon times:
2008: 3:01:05
2009: 2:47:39
2010: 2:03:14
2011: 1:59:19