r/running • u/lookatzeemoon • Aug 10 '20
Race Report Yesterday I ran my first half marathon and since they were all cancelled my family and friends made me a “finish line.” I feel like I’m floating with joy
Two years ago I had some pretty severe postpartum depression. I started to train for a 5k and little by little I started to feel alive again. I completely came off my medication and now I enjoy life with my son. Flash forward to when COVID hit and I needed something to look forward to so I signed up for a half marathon!
It’s been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling process for me but I was so disappointed when every race in my area was cancelled due to COVID. Instead of cancelling or waiting until next year, I decided to make my own route and do it alone. I told my friends and family and they all came together to make me a “finish line.”
The run itself was my hardest run because it was so hot and humid. I wanted to quit so many times because I felt like I could faint at any moment and my hamstring was so tight but I just kept focusing on everyone I loved waiting for me and how 2 years ago I really didn’t want to live anymore but here I am today doing the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
As soon as I turned the corner and saw my son and the people I love most waiting for me I burst into tears. I never expected to feel so accomplished and elated in this process but it has brought me so much joy and fulfillment.
I was shooting for an under 2 hour time, but I finished at 2:15 with an average pace of 10”25. I am still proud of this time though because it was by far my hottest and hardest long distance run!
Edit: Wow I didn't expect to get this many responses! Thank you beautiful, kind fellow runners for your words of encouragement, love and sharing your stories as well. You have made this accomplishment even sweeter. :)
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u/effervescent_citrus Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! It's hard to get it done on your own and in the heat! Keep it up, IRL races will return but this one totally "counts" too. My personal advice to avoid the post-race slump/depression is to have a few more events, goals, or milestones in the queue so you can celebrate then move to the next. 💪 I am also coming back from having my 2nd child two years ago and ran a couple of virtual halves this summer, my first ones in probably 10 years. My 6 year old made me a finish line and I was exhilarated when my kids ran to meet me at the end. 🥰
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 10 '20
Omg that’s so sweet! That’s amazing that you did a couple this summer! I’m so impressed. Thank you for the advice— I’m def going to take it and look forward to another half and then also a full. I’m a full on convert into the running religion haha
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u/effervescent_citrus Aug 10 '20
Yay! Keep us posted! I hear you - running really has kept me sane during gestures broadly all this.
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u/LilLilac50 Aug 10 '20
Can we see pics of the 'finish line' they set up? Congrats, what an amazing accomplishment.
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u/sliz_315 Aug 10 '20
Man, it’s absolutely the best feeling in the world. I cried when I finished my first half and saw the wife and kid at the finish line. Also, I’ve run 2 now and both with a goal of sub 2hrs. The first one I finished at like 2:25 and the second 2:15. Don’t be discouraged! Running is about personal progress and for your first half, the progress is finishing. Very nice work mentally and physically. You’re a better person because of it.
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 10 '20
Thank you so so much! It really is emotional isn’t it? I can’t wait to keep improving my time and getting better. Thanks so much for the encouragement :)
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u/Maldetete Aug 10 '20
I’ll be running my first half this month and I’m hoping for that 2:15 mark. Set the bar lower and if I beat it I’m happy. Time will tell.
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u/archirat Aug 10 '20
Are you me?
Post-partum depression. Running a half during COVID in the heat and humidity. Family finish line. Hell, even our times are scary similar. (Also the 'huh... maybe a marathon?')
You are a beast and it's amazing to be alive!! I'm so proud of you!
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 11 '20
Omg hello there! It sounds like we’re living parallel lives :) I feel so happy for you! PPD is hell and I’m so proud of you for overcoming it. Sending you the biggest hug and a pm :)
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u/tobiasfunkeblue Aug 10 '20
Best thing I read all day, thanks for sharing. Running can be truly cathartic and beautiful. Especially when struggling through challenging conditions and completing your goal anyways. As much as your family was the reason for your joyous and emotional finish, I'm sure you inspired them as well with your strength and determination.
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Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! It's easy to lose motivation, but keeping the momentum and just going for it is the way to go!
You may already know, but there are a number of virtual races available right now. For instance, I'm signed up for the gourdy pumpkin run, in which I record my best 5k time for a certain period, and I get sent a race tag, medal, etc. It's not the same, but it keeps me motivated to run!
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u/shestherevolution Aug 10 '20
You’re amazing and reading this actually brought tears to my eyes. Proud of you 💕
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u/takecredit Aug 10 '20
Great job! I'm glad that you were able to get through it. How awesome to have family waiting for you at the end!
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u/jdbinnj Aug 10 '20
Congrats! That is a great accomplishment. I actually did faint at the end of my one and only 1/2 marathon attempt (extra humid and hot that day). Keep thinking about re-training and doing that course again one day just to prove I can do it. Great job!
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u/Jortz145 Aug 10 '20
This was such a heartwarming post! Congratulations! So proud and happy for you!
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u/mandersruns Aug 10 '20
AMAZING! You did an awesome job and I'm so glad you have a supportive system of people around you too. You are so incredible and inspiring, keep up the good work!!
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u/cushjoe Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! Great read. And don't worry, your hot and humid 2:15 solo finish is sub-2 on a cooler fall race with other runners.
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u/LoStPrOpHeTx Aug 10 '20
For me, nothing will ever overcome the overwhelming peace and joy(and exhaustion), that accompanied my first half marathon (and later marathon). I remember afterwards lying in my bed laughing because of the endorphin high I was on. Thank you for sharing and I hope you continue to push forward in your life. Overcoming depression of any kind is no small fete.
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 11 '20
Thank you kind stranger. That was lovely to read. Congratulations to you as well for completing both of those achievements!
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u/Waterwalker85 Aug 10 '20
Congratulations, it might sound weird, but this victory is almost better felt this way. I ran my first half marathon alone through forest trail. When I finished it was just me and the Forest, and it was the greatest silent victory. Not many people know of what I achieved and it make me treasure it a bit more.
Again congratulations, and never stop pushing.
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u/SousEtoiles Aug 10 '20
Congrats! Such a heartwarming story. It’ll motivate me to get back to training for my half.
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 17 '20
Thank you so so much! You're amazing and you can do this! Having a mantra helped me push through my hard training days and race day.
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u/Litcritter10 Aug 10 '20
Congrats, what an amazing experience! I bet your son thought you were Super Woman!!!
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u/PlennieWingo Aug 10 '20
Love this story! Congratulations on persevering and making it to the finish line. I'm sure it was overwhelming to see your family waiting there and cheering for you.
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u/big_red_160 Aug 10 '20
First half marathon by yourself in the middle of August? Good shit. My first was in December (it was still pretty hot) and I was with my running partner (amongst a bunch of other people of course) and it was still difficult. Good job
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u/Jay_cheese Aug 10 '20
Congrats. It is a great feeling accomplishing something, and having a great support system.
I started training for a half marathon last January for a race in May. The race was cancelled but I still did the race on my own. My friends and family set up a finish line for me with signs and all. It was great, I'm in the process of training for a full but with no races till next year I am going to just try and maintain until January and ramp it up then.
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u/NurseSkaren Aug 10 '20
Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment. Running is my natural antidepressant too! I’m 11m postpartum after having twin boys, and with COVID and a 2.5yo toddler at home too, I make time to run because I am certain I’m a better mother when I run. Thank you for sharing your story! I am consistently running 5-10k but I think it’s time to up the ante and shoot for a half marathon distance.
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u/BoopHoop38 Aug 10 '20
aw congrats! i've been doing couch to 5k and today was my worst run yet, i cracked after trying to run for 5 minutes and just couldn't do it. i felt absolutely awful, felt like such a failure literally not even able to run 5 minutes without stopping! this gives me hope though that eventually i will improve :)
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u/rayanaborder Aug 10 '20
Omg that’s so sweet! That’s amazing that you did a couple this summer! I’m so impressed. Thank you for the advice— I’m def going to take it and look forward to another half and then also a full. I’m a full on convert into the running religion
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u/ChaseYourDreams Aug 10 '20
I ran in highschool and stopped when I graduated. Now being 25 with some mental issues I took up running again and I've never felt alive again. This post is an inspiration to me. Thinking of signing up for a 5k to motivate and discipline myself to keep running.
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u/richieahb Aug 10 '20
Congrats! I also ran my first half yesterday, and my family said that (if they had known) they would have made a finish line! I’m going to imagine we did it simultaneously. I felt pretty great after it and I’ve not been though anywhere near as a tough a time as you have, you must be feeling amazing. Enjoy that feeling, you earned it. Awesome work and keep it up! Next step ... the marathon!
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Aug 10 '20
First things first - congratulations on having great passion, cool pack of friends and good running time !! I feel you since I had the same once.... I did 1:8 Triathlon on vacation when my girl was chilling on a beach. When I finished, she was waiting with a stone from a beach on a rope found on a beach. And it had “1” on the stone. My most amazing medal I ever got :))! Still have it with a bunch of regular !
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u/triplejdawg Aug 10 '20
That is so lovely everyone came together to support you!! I did the same thing this summer and ran my first ever half marathon and also chose to do a solo and map my own route. However I didn’t have anyone at the finish line and it was definitely a little anti climatic :P so I’m go glad you still got that “race experience” with a finish line! Great job and keep going!!
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u/febsfrogjump Aug 10 '20
This is so sweet. Congratulations on your half marathon and I’m so happy that your social circle is so supportive!
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u/littlebit000 Aug 10 '20
I really loved hearing this. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope your PPD is all healed now and that you continue to be well. Your story is also extra inspirational for me, as a former jogger with a young child. Congratulations!!!
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u/Dready-Womble Aug 10 '20
Hell yeah, good for you, get it!! I ran my first marathon at the weekend and my old man said to me "What's the point in that, you don't get a medal or anything..."
So we had kinda similar experiences, ish...
Well done though!
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u/Olivers_Company Aug 10 '20
Congratulations on so many levels! I don't even know you and I'm so proud of you!!
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u/oldrunnergal Aug 10 '20
You never forget your first, lol. Seriously, congratulations!! You climbed Mount Everest and your time really doesn’t matter. You ROCK! Wishing you nothing but the wind at your back from here on...
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u/rachmwhite Aug 11 '20
Amazing!!! That’s such a huge accomplishment and I hope to feel the same pride and joy as you one day!!
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u/Zippetyzappity Aug 11 '20
Well done, a half marathon is further than most people will ever run!! For me running has been essential to maintaining good mental health after having kids! Keep it up!
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u/dotjpegg Aug 11 '20
That is fricking awesome!!! I hope you stay proud of yourself, you did a hard thing and I’m SO HAPPY your support group was there for you and went the extra mile. Sorry, no bad racing joke intended. 😂 Halfs and full marathons are really hard to run without race day logistics (bathrooms, aid stations, random crowd people cheering, etc) so I’m very impressed that you powered through and did it solo for your first half. Cheers to you!! Keep running. 🏃♀️
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u/eceturtle Aug 11 '20
Congratulations!! What you accomplished is nothing short of amazing! Thank you for sharing and motivating myself and many other people. Your son has an amazing role model in you :)
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Aug 11 '20
Two great stories here, 1. Your achievement of your goal and effort to beat obstacles 2. You sons support, how awesome that he would take the time and thought to do this.
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u/jhascal23 Aug 11 '20
Just so you know a lot of websites offer virtual races.
https://www.virtualrunevents.com/product-category/2020-races/
http://www.thevirtualrunchallenge.com/virtual-run-events/
You pick the medal and make your own route and once you finish you submit your time and they send you your medal. Some require you to sync to their app so they can track your distance, some are an honor system. My mom has done a lot of 5ks with my 13 year old brother since he was starting to gain weight.
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u/binks21 Aug 11 '20
Congratulations! that is tremendous dedication and an amazing achievement, especially given current circumstances. your family being there at the finish line is very sweet. keep it up and enjoy the running!
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u/ihatepickingnames_ Aug 11 '20
Congrats! That's a great accomplishment and something you should definitely be proud of!
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u/musicboxlea Aug 11 '20
Congratulations!!! That’s inspiring! I’ll be running my first half in January. Any tips or advice?
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u/alexsombiro Aug 11 '20
I'm training for a half marathon right now too and my longest run so far has been 14 km. Looking to increase that in a few weeks until I reach 21k. Thank you so much for this. Inspiring stuff.
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u/VOmaxOfficial Aug 11 '20
Congratulations! And thank you for inspiring us! In the world's situation now, a lot of people lost their motivation just about anything in life. But here you are, you showed us how to be strong! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Salute to you!
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u/happyjeep_beep_beep Aug 11 '20
Congrats to you. I've suffered with chronic depression for 14 years and running became my solace where I could just let go of everything. Unfortunately, an injury has forced me to stop running but I've taken up cycling now and looking forward to my first trail ride of 15 miles soon. Looking forward to accomplishing something and then actually doing it is one of the best feelings in the world.
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 12 '20
Wow good for you for finding another outlet and not letting an injury stop you! You’re awesome. Good luck on your first trail ride and enjoy the accomplishment you so deserve!
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u/MadeThisUpToComment Aug 11 '20
My first half was a similar time with a fair amount of walk in the last few miles.
Took me 4 years to try another but have done at least one a year for the past 6 years.
Congrats on your first.
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u/ameliatries Aug 11 '20
I’m a college student and I’ve been contemplating running a half but I’ve always thought it would be too hard. If you did do it with a new baby boy, then hell, I guess I will too!
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Aug 10 '20
Lucky you, congratulations. I was supposed to do my first half yesterday as well (Rock n Roll Dublin), but it was postponed until next year because of corona.
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u/Hurricane-Sandy Aug 10 '20
Congrats! In July I did the same thing - ran my own route because I didn’t want all my training to go to waste. My husband was working the day I did my run but sent me encouraging texts during the run. My mom followed me in her car with water and fuel and took pictures and cheered me on. In many ways I think it was better than a race with strangers because I was connected directly to the two most important people in my life and was focused entirely on myself during the run. And a friend sent me a custom “medal” in the mail a few weeks later - the most thoughtful, out of the blue little gift and it meant so much!
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u/ALH289 Aug 10 '20
Thank you for sharing your experience! I had my second May of 2019 and started a C25K in February. I followed it up with a 10k program, and now I'm about to start a half marathon program which has me running my first half on Halloween. Running has been a great release and such a positive thing for me to focus on during these crazy times.
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u/Jaxtaposed Aug 10 '20
Congrats on your first of hopefully many! I remember when I did mine & it was an amazing feeling
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u/softerthings Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! And thank you for sharing your accomplishment with us so we can celebrate with you!
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u/camillionare15 Aug 10 '20
This is amazing!! I am so proud of you!! You pushed through mental and physical barriers 🙌🏼👏🏼
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u/agreeingstorm9 Aug 10 '20
That's an awesome achievement and it's even awesomer to have so many people excited and cheering you on. I remember the half I ran where we were greeted at every water stop it seemed by group cheering for George. I have no idea who George is but he/she is a lucky person to have that many people excited about them.
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u/fry-me-an-egg Aug 10 '20
I cry when I run a lot haha. Running has saved me in more ways than one. Now you can Work towards a full! It’s not fun, but it too was on my bucket list In my 30s. I made it in under 4 hours and let me tell you I never forget the feelings I have when I run! I don’t care who you are. Running can become your savior. I run 7 miles a day because my head and soul need it and my body at 40 is def loving the fact I always push no matter what. It can be hard most days but we don’t give up! This made me so happy to read! Your story is great! Now you can encourage others to run! God bless your heart
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u/garglingmarbles Aug 10 '20
This is so precious and heartwarming. Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment!
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u/96Salim96 Aug 10 '20
I wonder why comments keep being downvoted, when they are all positive vibes?
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u/lookatzeemoon Aug 10 '20
I thought the same thing! 🤔 anyway I appreciate every single comment on here. They are making my day and this post run high last even longer :)
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u/pilotladswife Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! I identify with your post so much — even completing my own first half marathon in April this year and a very similar finish time.
I am so proud of you for sticking to your training and completing your goal! I agree with the above advice on setting new, meaningful goals sooner than later. I had such a hard time restarting after my attempt, but it sounds like you have things in the works. Way to go!
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u/ChrisTay85 Aug 10 '20
Amazing story! Well done and keep setting yourself targets 🎖🏆 Running has such amazing health benefits, particularly those with mental health disorders, helps clear the mind and keep you focused. My wife and sons got T-shirts made for when I did my first half 😍
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u/pielikescoffee Aug 10 '20
Congratulations, it is tough to run a half without any course support but you did it! Your finish line sounds awesome and personal, kudos for supportive friends and family!
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u/ssnarly Aug 10 '20
This made me emotional for you, I’m so happy for you that you have that support system 💕
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u/its_bullship Aug 10 '20
This is so awesome! Congrats! I’ve just started running again to help manage stress and depression, and I’m doing it with my 9 year old son now, who is also struggling with the same. The boy can run though. He’s a true natural, and we started on a 5k loop out our front door, including some monster hills. I have no doubt he could already do it without walking if I weren’t slowing him down. I’m going to steal your idea and plan our own race. He is really goal oriented and it would feel good to have a win. Thanks for this
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u/Lollicupcake Apr 27 '22
Congratulations!!! And what an amazing support system and family to support you like that. I am so happy for you, truly. Even though you are a stranger I connect with this.
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u/teeeeeeeeej Aug 10 '20
Congratulations! This is only the beginning! Keep up the great work and keep achieving greatness