Message posted by: Caryl H.

I typically don’t write a race report, but I learned a lot today. Today I ran my 3rd Long Branch Half Marathon as part of the NJ Marathon weekend. Year 1, I ran it in 2:07, last year 2:05:30 and this year I had hoped to break 2 hours. Well, I was running on an injury and by mile 7 I knew that the finish was not going to be pretty. I had had back muscle spasms mid-week and did everything I could to make it to the start line. By mile 9 I had to press a point in my back to be able to keep moving forward and I was moving quite slowly, occasionally even walking. But, in years past, I would have definitely been a DNF or I never would have started in the first place. I learned today about the mental toughness I didn’t really know was in me. I attribute this to the coaching/training I have received over the past year, support and knowledge from this site, and the 10 other women I train with. I finished at 2:22, cried a little as I crossed the finish line and met up with my friends
who cheered me in. It was quite a morning!

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