How to PR at a 1/2 Marathon

We all want to get a PR. We love the feeling of knowing that we beat our previous record. Love the knowledge that we are improving in our speed and our racing skills. So how do you do it? How do you get that big PR? I'll tell you.
Step 1. Injure yourself.
I'm not talking an injury that puts you out of the game for 6 months, but like a little strain. Something that could take you out for oh about roughly 4 weeks. Once this is done, make sure not to really do TOO much during your hiatus from running. Once you are able to run again, only do 2 short runs.
Step 2: Blisters.
Make sure to get a blisters during the 1/2 marathon. This is key! Around mile 6 would be preferable because at least you can get a few miles in but still have more than 1/2 of the race left! If they can be on your toes and balls of your feet...BONUS!
Step 3: Consider quitting.
After all, if you don't finish the race what does it matter? By mile 9 you should be seriously thinking about walking of the course and having a beer. Or just plan sitting down in the grass.
If you do all of these thing you will PR by roughly 9 minutes.

Pre race

If you haven't guessed it, I PR in the New York 13.1 Marathon this weekend. My parents were visiting my sister and me for Easter; My dad was going to run the 1/2 with Jenna and me. After I got hurt there were a lot of questions as to whether I would even be able to run this race. My dad and Jenna are in shape and have been running fools. I was just excited to dress up and have some fun. I had no intention of running super fast or putting forth a lot of effort. I had decided to do the Jeff Galloway run/walk method to make this race happen. I ran 4 miles and walked 45 seconds. This actually really helped me a lot! It MADE me rest and walk.
I saw my mom at mile 4 which really helped. Next I saw her at mile 6. I was already starting to feel pretty worn out and I told her so. She asked if I was going to continue on and I said "yup." Not really sure why, but I felt like this race was not over. When I got to mile 6.5ish, I discovered all my blisters on both feet! I decided to slow it down and run 3ish minutes and walk 1.
Once I got to mile 9 I thought about quitting...and I tweeted it. I mean, I wasn't trying to do anything special, I was just trying run. And I didn't HAVE to run. And I would forgive myself for stopping. I FELT LIKE DYING! But I also made the mistake of realizing that I COULD actually have a good time. Like a PR time. WTF!
So then I got to mile 10 and I question why I was still running. I really think it was because I saw some finishers with the medals...so pretty! I want one. 3 miles was all I had left. THEN mile 11 came and my feet were hurting so badly; Maybe I should crawl the last two miles? I felt like death on toast! I text my mom and let her know I was dying - she promised she was at mile 12. She was not at mile 12! But I did get a call from Penny who left me the most amazing message of my phone. I love you girl! And I got a Blackberry message from my college friend Lydia who reminded me of the time I almost puked after 2 miles. She told me to go to my happy place: Sitting on a beach with a margarita. Oh she knows me so well!
My mom was near mile 12.5 but I saw my dad and Jenna before I saw her. They were so awesome that they ran a little bit with me - even though they were so sore and tired. By the time I saw my mom I knew I was so close to the finish and a PR I couldn't give up. Although I was going to be sooo MAD if I PRed. I mean, NOT training and NOT really being in the best shape wasn't the way I thought I would get a great race time.
The end of the race was really messed up and hard to follow. I had no idea where I was going! But I finished. AND I PRed by 9 minutes! Thank you to everyone who left me a message on twitter encouraging me to keep running. You guys are so amazing! And thanks for your congratulations. Sorry I couldn't respond to each of your individually - hard to do from a phone - but I read each one and I smiled! Meant a lot to me. THANK YOU!
Time: 2:35:16

My dad got a sub 2 hour and my sister got a 5 minute PR! Both totally rocked it! So proud of them both!