The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon became my excuse to return to Indianapolis…read moreIndiana in the fall. As part of the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, the Half Marathon in my opinion is the perfect option if you do not have the desire to run the Marathon which I did not have after having ran Bank of America Chicago Marathon last month. I have always had an interest in running this event, being that I have family that lives in the city of Indianapolis. And other than that, running it gives me the chance to explore the city the best way I know how in the form of running.
For the Monumental Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup, we were required to pick up our bib number and t-shirt from the Indiana Convention Center. Though it isn't as big as Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup, it has just enough vendors that will keep you there on-site looking around and purchasing, tehehe. The Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup gave me the chance to explore run events that will capture my interest to travel around America. Most of the run events I picked up brochures for were in surrounding states ranging from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. Some of the events I have participated in before and some I have had an interest in for years now.
With this being my first year participating in CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, I had to navigate to get to the start, but once I got near the starting line, the signage further guided me. I was part of wave D, but I did not complain because I knew once the run started I would weave my way through the congestion of runners to obtain my actual pace and eventually finishing time.
The run course was relatively flat, with an incline feel at times. The battle I dealt with mentally was telling myself to keep my pace underneath a 9:30-minute mile pace, even with an uneasy feeling in my right hamstring which was likely due to my bike ride the previous evening. My legs felt tired around mile 8, but I was able to keep my pace in check and not fall beyond a 9:00-minute mile pace. I had to remind myself to be patient and take it mile by mile because I will eventually get to that finish line at some point. In spite of my mental and physical struggles, I felt grateful to be part of this growing event which was established by Carlton Ray in 2008.
Along the course, each mile was accurately marked and there were hydration stations featuring just water given by volunteers. The volunteers working those hydration stations were supportive of all runners. And I cannot remember any portion of the run course that did not have any spectators on it, even if it were just one or two spectators.
Highlights for me along the course were running through downtown Indianapolis, seeing Lucas Oil Stadium, and running through the classy neighborhoods of Indianapolis which had spectators cheering us on along the course. I always love running through the neighborhoods during events because it allows me to see the character of the individuals that live in that particular area.
As for the swag, the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon t-shirt was red, with the event name written in the center along with the logo of the event. After completing the run, I was given a cute beanie along with my finishers medal which I kissed after it was draped over my head by the volunteer. The finishers medal featured the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon on it, with the city's skyline below. I am so grateful to add yet another finishers medal to my run medal collection, a collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running.
With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, camouflage leggings by Nike on, I took on this half marathon.... and conquered it! Yes, I would surely consider running the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon again because it is yet another excuse to revisit Indianapolis, plus my mother and sister would love me being in town for it.
~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~
Thomas G