A Mile-By-Mile Recap Of The Infamous Bearathon
Start writing a post
Student Life

A Mile-By-Mile Recap Of The Infamous Bearathon

The painful regurgitation of my thoughts during my first half-marathon.

212
A Mile-By-Mile Recap Of The Infamous Bearathon
Derek Page

Starting Line

I haven't even started yet and I'm already worried. This is my first half-marathon, and I haven't trained nearly as much as I’d wanted to due to a back strain, spring break, and a cold. Everybody here has headphones, too, and I don’t race with headphones. I think it takes away from the experience. I’ve got two friends to start with, but I doubt I’ll be able to keep up for too long because one of them ran cross country in high school. We decide to start with the 2:20 group even though our goal is to finish at 2 hours because it feels nice to be able to pass people instead of getting passed.

Mile 1

Wow. I could do this all day. The first mile was at a nice 8:30 pace and we passed the 2:10 pace keeper. I feel fantastic. My parents are here too cheering me on.

Mile 2

Another easy 8:30 mile. Running through campus is really cool. Having fans with funny signs and bullhorns helps with keeping your mind in a good place. Everything on campus is really flat, too, so I’m just flying through this stretch.

Mile 4

The 8:30s are catching up with me. Our group just passed the 2:00 pacer but I'm starting to breathe heavier than I should be this early in the race. My legs feel fine, though.

Mile 5

My little group is starting to waiver. The high school runner is still doing casual 8:30s, I’m beginning to struggle, and the other person has dropped back.

Mile 6

Oh no… Right after mile 5, we enter Cameron Park. I see the first hill and almost lose my composure. I hear someone next to me say that the hill takes 45 seconds. I tell myself to just go slow and get up it. The whole hill was nearly 100 feet and stretched out over a mile. I feel betrayed and the strategic walking begins. My plan was to just walk up hills to preserve energy for flats; however, the other guy I was with isn't having it. He just keeps trucking along while I begin my ascent alone.

Mile 7

About halfway through mile 6 (as I am walking up a hill), I approach a crossroads where runners cross back later in the race. I get up the hill and see a guy on a bike and I know what that means. Following close behind is the first place runner. This guy is gliding so effortlessly that if you don't have a point of reference, you wouldn't know that he was running at a crazy fast pace. I looked it up later, and he was at mile 9.5 while I was at 6.5. That kills the confidence a little.

Mile 8

Well, this is where the pain officially sets in as a constant. This is as far as my training regimen has taken me, so every step after 8 miles is a new personal best for “longest run.”

Mile 9

I am soaked in sweat. My hips hurt with every impact. My heart rate is alarmingly high. I haven't seen anyone I've known in 3 miles. I still have 4 miles to go… this is what regret feels like.

Mile 10

I think I can do this. Everything hurts, and each step (walking or jogging) is painful. Why did I pay to do this?

Mile 12

I’ve gone delusional. I’m sure that I saw two different mile-12 markers. This race has already taken my body, and now it's aiming for my brain.

Mile 13

I make sure to jog the last stretch to finish strong (but I walked right before to save some energy).

* * *

The Finish

That was the most tired I’d ever been. My poor family was asking questions about how I felt, but I could only answer in short sentences. I about lost my balance a couple times walking around to stretch, but stayed on my feet till I reached a patch of grass to lay out on.

The Next Day

My body has betrayed me. I couldn't even get out of bed for church. I walked with a very noticeable limp on both legs and stairs were a challenge all day. Looking back, I’d do it a million times over. I finished in 2 hours and 6 minutes, and I'm already looking forward to getting another chance to beat my time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42423
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26636
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951748
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

138885
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments