Definitely sad news about the runner that passed. It was actually during Sunday's half, not that that really matters. Make sure you treasure every moment you have!
As for my race experience, I ended up running the half on Saturday. I was originally signed up for the full, but was able to switch races easily at packet pick up. As for swag, yeah, it's kind of a bummer that the virtual race swag bag had more stuff in it - the stress blerch and the 0.0 sticker specifically - but in the end I didn't find it to be a big deal. I liked the green shirts the virtual race got, and would love to have one, but I really like the pullovers we got as well. The one I got at packet pickup was a women's XXL, but it was waaaaaay too small. Actually, according to my friends, all the women's sizes ran a little small. Plus, since I had switched races, mine said "full marathon" on it, since they were race-specific. Luckily, on race day post-race, they let me exchange my too-small shirt for a men's size that fits much better and says half-marathon finisher. I wore it to work today and it was sooo comfy!
As for the race itself, I had so much fun, despite the fact that I hadn't been training as much the past 2 months as I should have been (this my switch from the full to the half). I remember running out of the first aid station, after stopping for pics with a Sasquatch in the woods and some blerches on a couch, following a bleach who was chasing after some runners calling, "you can stop now! You've gone far enough! You deserve done cake!" And I couldn't help but lap, and say to the women I was near, "This is the best. Seriously." It was just so beautiful and lighthearted and full of joy.
As for the aid stations, I loved interactions with the blerches. I didn't have any cake, even post-race, even though Iove cake, because the thought of eating it right then made me want to puke. I did try the Nutella sandwiches (yum!), the grape drink hit the spot, especially when my nuun-filled water bottles were empty (so good! And the ones I had were just grape Crystal light, no clif stuff mixed in), and every aid station had vanilla Clif gels (just like frosting! One of my faves) and Lara bar samples.
The metals we got were pretty much the same as the virtual race, except with the race distance specified on them.
Despite the great time I had, there were a few negatives. Despite the beauty of running through the woods, i was not a huge fan of the trail course. It was really rocky, some spots were quite uneven, and since the trail is also used for horseback riding, you had to had to keep your eyes down and peeled for poo-piles. Also, there just weren't enough water stations, especially for the warmer weather we had last weekend. Every 3 miles is definitely not frequent enough water for me, and I was so glad I had my hydration belt. And finally (and also most egregiously), there was no portapotties at the 2nd/3rd aid station for the half marathon. Basically, there was one at mile 3, but if you had to go and didn't hit up that one, you had to wait until you passed that same one on the way back into town, at mile 10. Luckily, I didn't need a bathroom during the race, but I definitely heard people asking around at the mile 6/7 aid station.
All in all, unless the location changes, I'd probably only do the 10k next year, since I wasn't a fan of the rocks.
Here are some of my pictures during the race!
Next week is a step-back week in our training program, so we may bump up this Sat/Sun from 5 and 12 to a 10k and half so we can treat ourselves to birthday cake and magical grape beverages afterward. . .
(someone should probably let 
OK maybe I snagged some frosting from the cake in the cup at each mile. I might carry frosting with me in a baggie from now on. 
