My alarm went off this morning at 5am, the day after a majority of my school celebrated our made up day drinking holiday. Sunday Georgie gratefully thanked Saturday Georgie for being smart enough to give it a pass, because Sunday Georgie was about to run her second half marathon, the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run. Between the horrendous weather, my epic workload and seemingly endless travels my training this winter had been severely interrupted. My longest “long run” had only been 7 miles (not recommended) and most of my training had been quick sprints on the treadmill (not frequent enough), but I still felt like I had it in me to finish this race, even if it wasn’t my usual race pace.

Cut back to my bed this morning and I had accidently dozed off until 6:15. The race began at 7:30… an hour away. I literally jumped into my shorts, grabbed a larabar and keys and ran out the door. (I forgot my garmin, my wallet and I didn’t have coffee) I don’t think I’ve ever driven faster. Somehow miraculously I was able to grab my bib a mere 10 minutes before the race began and made my way to the starting line. The one perk of being horrendously crazed and late was I didn’t have time to overthink anything. By the time I woke up I think I was at mile 5.

Mile 1-4 are always the hardest for me, 5-8 felt really great 9-12 were really when I felt my absense of long runs and slowed down quite a bit, but that final mile felt really great. The weather was wonderful and it was such a great course. Not many hills, lots of scenery, plenty of bridges and good views. I’m so grateful for my health/body that it can run 13 miles steadily without putting up a fuss. 

One of the highlights was running next to a kid with a shirt that said “13.1 miles 13.1 years old.” It looked like he was running with his mom, my heart melted a bit. I also high fived a lot of kids who were cheering us on <3 I definitely missed having my favorite race buddy, my sister Nellie, who is living in Boston now. As a bit of a laugh I live snap chatted my friends who supported me with plenty of encouraging texts.

I finished in 2:14 which isn’t spectacular but it was way faster than if I never started at all! I really enjoyed my time running, it always reminds me how much I’m capable when I take the plunge and ignore self doubt. I hope this summer brings a lot more running (not on a treadmill).

Oh, and I got a sweat finishers medal! Felt like a baller.

Happy Sunday all!

Question Time:

• Are you doing any races in the near future?
• Have any fun plans for the late spring/summer?
• What’s your favorite way to stay active when it’s nice out?