Funny you should ask me this because my running partner and I were discussing this very topic the morning I got your question. I was telling him that I know, for me, the worst miles of a half marathon are miles 8 to 10. After 10, I'm good. I know I can handle 3 miles and that it's almost over, but in almost every single half-marathon I run there comes a point -- usually at mile 9 where I consider quitting. I've run a lot of half marathons -- dozens, at least -- and it happens every time -- no matter what pace I am running.

My running partner said he experienced the same thing and he had a "wall" (for lack of a better word) in each distance that he raced. I thought about it and realized...it was true for me as well. For me, in the 5K, it's the 2 mile point, in the 10K, the 4 mile point, etc. -- it's where I feel I can't hang onto the pace, I question why the hell I'm doing this and I just want the damn thing to be over.

So, what you experienced is no different than what every runner out there is thinking when they reach their personal "wall" in each race.

In fact, we may want to call it a hurdle because...really...you just have to get over it and you will be fine. I know that at mile 9 in a half-marathon, I will contemplate walking the hell off that 1/2 marathon course. I know it. So, I will push through it because I know that if I just keep going, I'll get to mile 10 and I'll be fine.

It happened at Cook Forest on Saturday. And, then I passed by a couple of women running together (perhaps you & your friend?) who were at the back of the pack and were not your typical thin gym-bunny runners. These two were obviously friends and probably doing their first half marathon and they had miles to go. Miles to go. And I thought, how can I feel sorry for myself? I'm almost done and they are out here busting their ass and they are going to finish and that is a serious accomplishment. Finishing that race...no matter when, where or how...is something to be proud of.

I saw these women and thought...suck it up, Heather. And, I ran stronger because I could.

So, you can draw strength from those around you (just as you can get discouraged by those around you...for instance, in the marathon when those around me started walking...I did, too).

A running partner, is, of course, a HUGE motivation to keep going. Don't want to let them down, after all.

A couple of other things that have worked for me:

* Music. I have a playlist of music on my iPod filled with music that makes me want to run. For me, it involves heavy metal -- Kid Rock and Nickelback -- but for you...it might be the theme from Rocky or Michael Bolton...whatever gets you through the hard miles works.

* Thinking about my family at the finish line (or at home...waiting to hear how the race went) can keep me going.

* Repeating a mantra to yourself can help. For me..when I'm getting worked up and find that I'm tiring myself out by chasing other runners, I say to myself "Settle...settle....run your own race." Sometimes I even think "...and miles to go before I sleep."

* Think food. I imagine what will be a the finish line. Dreaming about watermelon got me through the entire 21st mile of the Cleveland marathon last year. I can occupy my mind for miles thinking about food.

Veteran runners...add your two cents...comment on this post! Tell us if you have to jump "hurdles" in the races...how you deal with it and what you say to yourself to keep going.