This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at LMU chapter.

My First Half Marathon Experience

By: Kaitlin Quigley

Many people refer to Sunday, February 7, 2016 as the day the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in the 50th Super Bowl, accompanied by Beyoncé’s killer halftime performance. For Lauren and I, it was the day we ran our first half marathon.

{On your mark, get set, go!}

It didn’t actually hit me that I would actually be running a half marathon until the day before the race, when my Dad and I drove down to Huntington Beach to pick up our race packets. We saw about three hundred people doing the same. Oh f***, is what I am pretty sure I said out loud. My Dad gave me a look of disapproval. I was in awe (and a little intimidated) of the mass amount of people who were here to run the same race I was. I probably should have chosen a 5k or 10k as my first race, but go big or go home right?

My Dad and I parked the car and headed over to the big tent to pick up our race packets and see what free things we could snag. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Walking into the tent, we were greeted by so many volunteers directing us where to pick up our packets. About 25,000 people were signed up, and at that point my Dad looked at me. “Are you sure you still want to do this?” I convinced myself I did. “Of course!” But by then it had started to hit me that I might be in over my head. (Dad, if you’re reading I will deny this.) We grabbed our things and continued to walk around the tents and check out the vendors. It was overwhelming to say the least.

Fast forward to the morning of the race, which felt 10x more overwhelming as my Dad and I stood outside our hotel at 6am, waiting to catch the bus to the starting line.

The marathon began. Once I started running, I convinced myself that it wasn’t so bad as “Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap blasted through my headphones. That was mile one. A few miles in were a different story. Around mile 6 all I kept thinking to myself was Why the hell did you want to run this, Kaitlin?! and Are we almost done yet? Thank God for water stations at every mile.

As I continued to “run” (at this point I don’t think it was considered running) I heard, “WOOO, Go Kaitlin!” I look over to see Lauren, my beautiful friend on the other side of the course. Of course, we scream at each other saying things like “I love you!” and “You Rock!” and so on until we can no longer see each other. Apologies to those who were around us. We were probably pretty obnoxious, but it was one of my favorite moments.

{Even running a half marathon, Lauren throws her sorority’s sign. Go DG!}

Lauren was one of the reasons I signed up for this race. After learning she was doing it with her family, she inspired me to sign up as well. Thank you, Lauren, for inspiring me to sign up and pushing me complete this race. I am so proud of you as well and look forward to many of the other races we will eventually run, although maybe not anytime soon.

Coming up to mile 13, I was astonished that I was about to complete a half marathon. This was something that I never thought I would be able to do, but as I crossed over the finish the happiness, accomplishment, and relief I felt was indescribable. Grabbing my medal, all I kept thinking was OH MY GOD I JUST RAN A HALF MARATHON! Sometimes I still look at my medal and can’t believe I did this.

After crossing the finish line, the post-race was a whole other event in itself. Food and water were constantly thrown in my direction, and I don’t think I have ever drunk so much water in my life. I couldn’t get enough.

{Need. More. Water.}

There were a good couple minutes I felt like my legs were actually going to fall off from my body. Thankfully that was not the case! Although the walk to the car from the finish line was a struggle. I’m pretty sure I walked another 2 miles after the race, which I do not recommend.

I couldn’t have done this half marathon without my Dad. He stayed with me and motivated me every mile, even when I had to stop and walk a couple minutes. He was my biggest supporter, and being able to experience my first race with him is something that I will cherish forever. Thank you, Dad, for your unconditional love and support – even when I do crazy things like signup for a half marathon and then have you run it with me. P.S. I signed us up for the next one! (Just kidding…)

{The father/daughter duo that runs together, celebrates together.}

Overall, it was an amazing experience that I would not have traded for anything, even though it did not feel as amazing at the time. These feelings are noted below in Lauren’s “Thoughts You Have While Running Your First Half Marathon.” Yes, they are true, but at the end of the day I ran this beach.

{Smiling through the pain. And for the accomplishment!}

Thoughts You Have While Running Your First Half-Marathon

By: Lauren Wesseln

· It’s only been one mile. You’ve got to be kidding me.

· I actually have to run 12 more?

· NO. Just no.

· Do I have enough songs on my half marathon playlist?

· Maybe I should go to the bathroom now?

· Water. I need water.

· I have to pull up my running pants again?

· How are you out of Cliff bars already? This is my first half-marathon and you’re out of Cliff bars.

· Do I really need to go to the bathroom or can I hold it?

· Can’t. Feel. My. Feet.

· I’m going to sing this song out loud so maybe it will help me run faster

· My underarms are chafing.

· Will I ever finish this?

· I. Can. Do. This.

· No one will ever know if I walk for just a little bit.

· No. NO walking.

· You did not train for months to walk.

· I could eat a burger right now.

· I was up this morning at 5 am and now I am running a half marathon – I deserve a burger.

· I will eat a burger.

· Snap out of it.

· 1 MORE MILE

· I did it!

· Oh no, I just wet my pants.

· I need frozen peas on my thighs ASAP.

· Great, now I’m waddling like a penguin.

{The Wesseln girls}

Holy S***, We Ran A Half Marathon

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