Halloween half marathon

So it has never really been a major goal of mine, but after I started running and then started enjoying running and then started getting faster and then started running further it really came as a fairly natural progression.  Still, no time line or pressure.  I entered the California International Marathon (a race Glen has run 5 times and will run for his 6th this year) as part of a relay team.  I will be running around 12miles (legs 3 and 4) in December, so I was kind of looking towards that goal.
And then 2-and-a-half weeks before the Lake Natomas Four Bridges half marathon Glen signed us up.  Anyway, I put myself on a 2 week training schedule that went really fast.  My longest run ever was 10miles and I kind of figured that if I could do 10, I could do 13.1.  A good theory, and certainly very true if I was at a good fitness level and ran more regularly.  Ha!  Well... I did it!!

I ran under my usual pace for the first 10ish miles and felt GREAT, and then my body completely seized up and I think it took around 45mins to run the final 3.1miles!  Oh dear.  I think back and I think part of the problem is that I nearly always run at night after I have eaten and drank all day long, and my body is strong.  Running first thing in the morning I got so hungry and dehydrated.  Anyway, the first 10 or so miles I felt fantastic.  Kept up a really good pace, had time to look around at the BEAUTIFUL setting, listened to my podcast, enjoyed having Glen running with me.  And then I just started to feel sooo hungry!  And at around 11miles my body just didn't have much to keep it going.  All that sports drink/ gel/ food nonsense wasn't helping.  I wanted a big milky latte or a milk shake or something.  I really wanted to finish strong, and I was going at a pace that would really have been a personal best, but in the end I battled to smile as I crossed the finish line, and despite the great achievement of finishing a half marathon I was disappointed that my whole family saw me struggle so much at the end.
Now I have a goal.... since I will be the one finishing the CIM for our relay team I am DETERMINED to arrive at the capitol with strong legs and a smile on my face.  Better get out there and train!!