The Battle That Raged Within - Secret City Half Marathon Recap-Part 2

Enjoying some Gatorade at the halfway point.

In spite of the overall wonderful experience I had at the Secret City Half Marathon, there was one thing I really struggled with. In fact, I wrestled with this issue for a few days after the event.

I had no clue on how I should approach this half marathon.

All along, I viewed this race as a 'fun' one. Just one to enjoy the scenery, clock 13.1 miles, collect another t-shirt and medal and just have fun, in large part, because my kids were also running. I wanted the day to be more about them. I, after all, had already run three half marathons and this was their first race ever.

Confusing me even more was the fact that this was the second of three half marathons I running in within a seven-week stretch. On Oct. 23, I ran the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Midway, Ky., the Secret City Half was on Nov. 20, and I'm running the Smokies Santa Hustle Half on Dec. 11 in Sevierville, Tenn. I had never participated in races so close together before. Not even 5Ks.

But someone wants to become a Half Fanatic, so I registered for these three races.

So I Went Out on a Run ...

So Saturday was my long run day, and like most Saturdays, I met up with my local running group, the Falls Road Runners.

In training for a half marathon, I'm used to long runs. Ten to 12 miles has always been the norm for my long runs. But with a number of other runners training for a full marathon, I decided to see what I could do this weekend when the planned long run for the marathon group was 15 miles.

And this wasn't going to be an easy run either. We had some hills on this course.

But in my normal fashion, I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself, "Eh, why not?"

Nothing Like the Running Family

Some of my SID Running Family

When I picked up running and eventually the 'bug,' I didn't have an inkling of what I was in store for.

I thought I knew what it was all about. After all, I've been involved in sports my entire life. Heck, my entire 17-year professional career has revolved around athletics either as a member of the sports media or as a sports information director.

I was even on the track team in high school, although I competed in field events only tossing the discus and shot put.

Sports is my life. So, one would think I knew what to expect when I became a 'runner.'

I Sabotaged Myself

I did myself in. I undermined my training and sabotaged myself when I ran in last week's Go! St. Louis Half Marathon.

Make no mistake. I did post a PR, shaving nearly two minutes off my time. And I'm very pleased about that.

Yet, I know I could have done better, and I know it's my fault I didn't.

Couldn't Have Done It Without My Team

The Go! St. Louis Half Marathon has come and gone, and I posted a PR!

I missed my goal time badly, but a PR is a PR and I will take. My official time in the April 10 race was 2:31:01, almost two minutes faster than my previous half marathon.

There were a number of 'pit falls' and troubles along the way for me, but I don't have the time to delve into that right now. What I wanted to say right now is thanks to my support team.