The Carlsbad Marathon & Half

Run with the Ocean Air

I left my home in Lake Arrowhead at 4:45 am on a foggy, cold Sunday morning. Setting out for a day of new experience, new faces and certainly a new kind of fun that I am now beginning to understand. It's running. Apparently, many other people already know about the pleasure running can bring to your mind and spirit, and of course to your body as you reap the rewards of fitness. I now count myself in as a "runner" just like the 10,000 other people that showed up to the Carlsbad Marathon & Half last Sunday. This time, being my third race, I set myself up for success to show up with plenty of time before the race, hydrated, fed and ready to roll.

I stood next to a comical guy at the start line. He had me laughing and feeling at ease with our conversation about running. He had been running only about six months, and had lost 50 pounds in the process. This was to be his first race, and he did not know what to expect from the experience, furthermore from his body. He joked about passing out at the finish line and other humorous things. I reassured him he would do much better than he thinks.

The start gun shot went off and I began my strategy of running slow with deliberate walks through each water station. As the people around me darted off at full strength, I told myself to take it slow and pace myself for a successful finish. Each mile went by, and I felt great. I enjoyed running for the first time without music playing in my ears. No headphones was a great plan as I was able to absorb the excitement of the race and the conversation that went on around me with the other runners. Some people were running for a cause, others to reach a particular goal. Some groups were there to laugh and enjoy the company. All along the way there was music, costumes and people cheering us on.

By mile 8, I was still feeling strong. I was quite surprised with myself. After all, I had been nursing jet lag and a cold just the week prior. At mile 10 I was still feeling an abundance of energy so I sprinted off ahead and focused on the finish line. My inner competetive spirit surfaced and it felt really inspiring to run fast. I passed many people; I was running like the wind. Although when a Grandpa went sailing past me I did have a laugh at myself.


Approaching the finish line was a huge feeling of accomplishment and excitement. I finished the 13.1 mile race18 minutes faster than my first half marathon. That felt really good. I've already been on the internet searching for my next half marathon as I build up to the "Big Full Marathon" on April 26th in New York City.

Join me and Team HypnoChick in NYC for the More Marathon on April 26th, 2009

email: deanna@hypno-chick.com for more information or call our offices at Mind Desing Global 909-336-6900