Broadway Bridge Half Marathon Recap

I did something really, really stupid this weekend. I ran my third half marathon without preparing my body for the race and I hurt. Still. I wish I could say, “It wasn’t my best, but it wasn’t my worst.” But it was most definitely my worst. I’m glad I had one of my best gals by my side, otherwise, I’m 99.9% sure I wouldn’t have made it through the race.

running a half marathon
Here’s how it all went down:
Mile 1-3: Okay, we’ve got a nice little groove going on. Maybe it won’t be so bad after all! Plus, this weather is gorg.Mile 4-5: Ooo, the city looks so pretty! Let’s stop and take a picture (since we aren’t taking ourselves too seriously anyways, right?!)…bathroom break for Meg. Who cares if there are three gals in line. That means our legs can catch a break.Mile 6: That hill? Haha. Not going to happen. Fiiiiine. I’ll power walk up the thing.

Mile 7: My GPS says we’ve gone 7 miles, but the mile marker is nowhere in sight. Please, no. This can’t be happening.

Mile 8.5: More hills. This has gotta be some sort of sick joke. Curse words fly. I lose Meg.

…what is happening to my pinky toe right now?! It has a mind of it’s own (cramping).

Mile 9: Delusion sets in. I couldn’t tell if Meg was up in the distance or if it was a mirage.

Mile 10.5: I wonder what would happen if I cut through to this side street and just skipped the last few miles?

Mile 11: It was Meg, whew. At this point she tells me that the faster I move my feet the sooner we get to be done. This doesn’t make me move any faster.

…I also ask Meg if she will still be my friend if I end up being “throw up girl” on the side of the road. She will, duh.

Mile 12: Fairly certain my spine is going to suffer permanent damage from pounding the pavement. Will anyone notice if I cry?…I think I’m going to cry. No tears, thankfully.

Mile 13.1: Have mercy! WE MADE IT. Pass out on the curb.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Knowing my lack of training was going to affect my results, I set an unofficial goal to run the race in under two and a half hours. Meg and I crossed the finish line and when we got that glorious little piece of receipt paper it read 02:30:29. That is what you call a miracle, my friends.
I’m glad that my time was less than stellar, because I deserved it. And I most definitely learned my lesson.
running a half marathon
Photos via
My next race is the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon in April, which means I have ZERO excuse not to train properly.

Check out my thoughts on my first half marathon and my second half marathon!

Leave a Comment

60 Comments

  1. Rachel wrote:

    You go girl! Running is NOT my thing, so I applaud those who run marathons, half marathons, etc.

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  2. You still did it! Good job and congratulations on finishing your THIRD. You’re practically a seasoned half marathoner now! Impressed. xo

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  3. Shanley Cox wrote:

    You look amazing crossing the finish line! Way to go!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  4. Cait Fore wrote:

    You are one tough cookie! I adore your recap! I can’t wait to hear how your next one goes! Good luck!

    xo,
    cait

    gussied-up.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  5. Wake Up for Makeup wrote:

    13.1 miles is 13.1 miles whether it was done in 1.5 or 2.5 hours! Bravo to you for going for it and not skipping out. I know we’ve all had those thoughts right? “So, I’m out an entry fee. I guess that’s not TOO bad…” haha. Guilty.

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  6. You finished it! It’s still an accomplishment and you learned something for next time πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  7. bravo girlfriend! there’s no way you’d catching me running 13 miles!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  8. I’m just impressed you actually did it! You are awesome!! Now treat yourself to lots of delicious donuts!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  9. sandyalamode wrote:

    great job! i cant wait to get back to working out after i have this baby!!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  10. Great job!! Even if it was a little stupid to run on not much training πŸ™‚ I recently dropped down to the 5K distance from the half marathon I was signed up for since I hadn’t really trained. I felt a little silly until I realized that the 5K had WAY fewer participants. First place in my age group, baby! Still, I have to wonder how I would have done at the half distances…

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  11. Jessica wrote:

    Hey, that worked out well then! I’ll know better for next time πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  12. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks so much, Sandy! Woo, I bet so!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  13. Jessica wrote:

    Haha thank you, Kari! I had the best cupcake that day, my little sister even made frosting from scratch!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  14. Jessica wrote:

    You would be surprised what your body will do! πŸ˜‰ Thank you, Rachel!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  15. Jessica wrote:

    Yes, indeed!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  16. Jessica wrote:

    I had that thought so many times…not even kidding. Thanks for always being so encouraging, Ivy!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  17. Jessica wrote:

    I’m glad you enjoyed it! Next time it should be a little more upbeat πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  18. Jessica wrote:

    I was just so happy to be done!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  19. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks, Dianna! Hehe…I wouldn’t go THAT far, but I’m getting there πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  20. Jessica wrote:

    It didn’t used to be my thing either, but it’s grown on me! Not sure my body is cut out for a full marathon. I can’t fathom going another 13.1 miles!!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  21. AnnicaNicole wrote:

    Still an awesome job for not training! I’ll be running the Rock the Parkway again too. My goal is under 2 hrs. I’m hoping if I seriously train at altitude then it’ll be a breeze at sea level! We’ll see!

    Annica
    http://www.lifemodifier.com

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  22. Whitney Hinson wrote:

    Way to go!! Loved the play by play and am so proud of you!!! And you signed up for another, FANTASTIC!!!

    Posted 9.10.14 Reply
  23. Katie @ Live Half Full wrote:

    That’s still a great time despite the lack of training! I know how you feel though- I always want to do my best and kick myself when I skimp on training. You’ll get ’em next time!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  24. Congratulations! Even though you proooobably should have trained, that’s still so amazing.

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  25. Great job! I would have probably cried πŸ™‚ I’m so proud of you for pushing through it! You are such an inspiration girl!

    Xo Jana
    http://www.janastyleblog.com

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  26. Tomissa Porath wrote:

    Way to go, lady! I’m proud of you. Let’s do a half together, okay?!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  27. noelani wrote:

    Way to go Jess! That is amazing this was your 3rd one. I ran the KC half a few years ago and I’ll never do it again so kuddos to you!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  28. GIRL!! At least you did it!! That is still an awesome feat that not many people dream of doing! One thousand hand-clap emojis to you! I love you mile-by-mile recap.. When I did a ten-miler once, I totally felt the same way you did around mile 10!! Your recap makes me think you would be a hilarious running partner! Congrats!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  29. You guys are AMAZING, okay? I don’t care if you stopped and had a 3-day nap. Finishing a half marathon is a big damn deal. Proud of you, girlfriend!

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  30. Amanda wrote:

    OMG, love your blog! And congrats on your run.
    http://www.kissthechic.com

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  31. Dang girl! You know what, I am proud of you – it takes a lot of guts to run a race like that, and you still did it! Loved the break down by mile too – I was cracking up at my desk!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  32. Lyddiegal wrote:

    I can’t imagine running for two and a half hours, so you are amazing to me. Congrats on finishing it, even if it was not your best.

    Chic on the Cheap

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  33. Katharine wrote:

    Way to go! I haven’t even clocked one half marathon yet. I got through the 7 mile run in training and wimped out!
    Katharine
    http://www.paytington.com

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  34. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks lady! That’s still a good, long run!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  35. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you! There was some walking mixed in there πŸ˜‰ But it still felt like an eternity haha

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  36. Jessica wrote:

    Haha, so glad you liked that part! Thanks for always being so encouraging πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  37. Jessica wrote:

    Yes, I sure do! Thanks for stopping by, Amy πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  38. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks so much, Amanda! You’re too sweet πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  39. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks, lady! I wanted a 3-day nap after it was all said and done πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  40. Jessica wrote:

    Haha I’m glad you liked it, Cassandra and thank you so much! The delusion was real πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  41. Jessica wrote:

    Thanks so much!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  42. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you so much! Count me in πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  43. Jessica wrote:

    Oohhhh, I wanted to! Thanks for being so sweet, Jana!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  44. Jessica wrote:

    I really should have – I know better! Thank you for stopping by, Whitney!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  45. Jessica wrote:

    Thank you, Katie πŸ™‚ It’s not the best feeling, but it won’t be happening again, that’s for sure!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  46. Jessica wrote:

    Glad you enjoyed that πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  47. Jessica wrote:

    Oh yay! We will have to meet up for sure. I think Meg and I are going to train hard and see if we can get in under 2 hours this time around. But that means I need to shave off 12 minutes from my PR time. Yikes. You will be good to go after running in Colorado!

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  48. Congrats girl! Werk it πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.11.14 Reply
  49. Tomissa Porath wrote:

    YES!

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  50. You did it! You know you’re a real badass when you can run a half without training.

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  51. Congrats with your accomplishment! – J

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  52. Maya McDonald wrote:

    I want to be you when I grow up! Seriously – this post was so inspiring and I’m beyond proud of you! xx

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  53. Juley Le wrote:

    Oh no!!!! I just signed up for my second half marathon and really haven’t trained as much as my first race. Now I’m thinking about reconsidering. The humidity is unbearable in New Orleans. I can barely run four miles without wanting to throw up. :/

    But congratulations for finishing!!!!

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  54. Jessica wrote:

    Haha, oh I’m not sure you want to sign yourself up for that πŸ˜‰ Thanks so much, girlfriend!

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  55. Jessica wrote:

    Boost my ego, why don’t ya! haha I think I would have used another “ass” word to describe my decision…dumbass πŸ˜‰

    Posted 9.12.14 Reply
  56. Katie wrote:

    Congrats, Jess! I don’t think this is something I could do and I’m so impressed with everyone that can. Good luck with your next half. xo

    Posted 9.17.14 Reply
  57. Laura S. wrote:

    Congrats! I had a race like that this summer, and the only thing you can do is be proud that you finished, and pick up your feet a little bit more before the next race!

    xo, Laura
    laurasbestlife.com

    Posted 9.27.14 Reply
  58. Jessica wrote:

    Agreed! Thanks for the little boost, Laura πŸ™‚

    Posted 9.30.14 Reply
  59. Hey Jess! I literally just discovered your blog through a comment you left on the Financial Diet! I (stupidly) signed up to a 10km run which is happening in June. I’ve never been a runner and I’m both trying to lose weight and train for it. I have zero stamina and I’ve been going week after week without any sort of progress… do you have any tips for me? How can I push myself to just go for a run? πŸ™ πŸ™

    maybe you can do a post on how you train? x

    Posted 3.31.15 Reply
    • Jessica wrote:

      Ah, I LOVE Financial Diet. I’m fascinated by money and how everyone is coping with it. That’s not stupid at all! Signing up is the first step πŸ˜‰ I went through a little weight loss transformation (read here: http://bit.ly/1embIgd). I ran my first half marathon last April and if you search “half marathon” on my site, it will pull up all of the pieces I’ve written pertaining to training! I follow Hal Higdon’s plan, have you heard of him? You got this, girl! Please don’t hesitate to ask me more questions!

      Posted 3.31.15 Reply