I thought since I didnt officially journal about my run I would give a detailed review.
Temperature was great. Somewhere in the 60's and cloudy. I got to the area at about 730am. The race lined up at 8 and started at 815. I was suppose to run with another friend and her sister. I couldnt find them anywhere so I just hung around with my parents and my ds-nick. My dh and ds-ryan stayed home since his tball game started at 1030.
I got in line for the port-a-potty one last time before heading to the start. There was quite a line and I got talking with a lady in front of me. She was overweight and probably in her 50's. She joined team in training and is training to walk a 1/2 marathon. She has not set a date yet. She said she was only training for 2 weeks but her coach wanted her to do this. I told her she can do it and it doesnt matter how slow she is all she has to do is finished. She said she just worried that she would be the last one. We said good luck and good bye. This will come into play in a bit.
So as I walked to the start, the kids races were going on. Its so cute to watch all the kids. My sons are involved in a kids race every other weekend and they love it. Anyway I still couldnt find my friends. I decided to line in towards the front of the pack for this race since they use a goofy timing system. As you cross they take the bottom half of your bib and thats how they track your official time. Unfortunately if you start 30-40 seconds after the timer starts your time really isnt "official". As I was waiting I saw my friends sister. She said my friends legs have been bothering her so she decided not to come. Not a huge deal considering they are both faster than me so I only run the first 1-2 minutes near them.
In minutes the start gun shot and we were off. I ran past my parents and nick. Nick had his arms up in the air yelling "go mommy". I have to say I got a little choked up.
I realized that starting in the front was making me feel like I was running alot faster than my pace. I started to slow and then it seemed like all the other racers were just flying past me. I had a hard time with this for a minute or two but then said "who cares Im doing it and thats all that matters, Im not here to win". So I rounded the first corner and I was pumped!
As I made the turn with determination in my eyes I saw it. The enourmous hill!
I started to run it but then realized I should just walk fast so I dont fully burn myself out. Thats what I did and I cruised down the rest of the road turned the corner grabbed some water (actually 2 cups) and was surprised to see the 1 mile marker. Wow 11:30! I am usually between 12 and 13 so this was good.
The next mile was alot of ups and downs. Hills I mean. I made it through and only walked up the one really big one. Otherwise I was running.......
Along this mile there was a family that I caught up to. Mom in a wheel chair, dad pushing her, and 3 daughters somewhere between the ages of 6-10yrs running along. I was amazed that this dad was pushing his wife. Amazing. 2 of the girls were full of energy running ahead but the 3rd little one was having some trouble. I was running by her and said come on you can do it. She looked at me with these helpless eyes and said Im so tired I cant even breathe and my hearts beating so fast. I almost felt like putting her on my back and carrying her. Now we all know this would not have went well so instead I just encouraged her to keep walking and she caught up to her dad who then sat her on her moms lap and then he pushed them both.
What a man! and I am sad to announce that he even beat me to the finish.
Shortly after mile 2 was another water stop. This time I only took one cup. We then got to the point where you pass the racers just coming up to their first mile. I didnt expect to see anyone since I was in the back of the pack. But who did I see.....that poor lady I met at the port a potties. She was followed by a cop car, I guess he was waiting to open the roads. Well I hope she at least completed it.
I was honestly surprised how quick I felt the race was going. Not that I was quick but I remember last year and even the race I did a month ago. It felt like I was tourtoring myself and that it never would be over. This time I felt great!
I passed the last bunch of the local schools cheerleaders.
They were giving out a chant "lets go runners, lets go". Then I saw the street that led to the finish. I picked up speed just a bit. Turned the corner and ran as fast as I could to the finish. I beat 4 people that were in front of me.
I believe I finished at 38:30.
It was alot of fun. They had a health expo set up. Mostly local business
nothing that really caught my eye. They had a spread of drinks, fruit and bagels. I grabbed some gatorade and oranges. Then we headed to my little guys kids run about 15 minutes away.
One thing I wanted to share. At the kids run I stayed and cheered on our friends son who is 10. There group runs a mile. I thought all of the kids had finished so we started to head to the car. As we are walking my mom says oh there is still more kids. I look down and here is a boy probably 100lbs overweight and he is crossing the finish holding his hands up in the air. I almost started sobbing. I was so proud of him doing it and I didnt even know him. It really made my day to see that. We have so many obese children in the world right now and to see a child trying to help himself is amazing.
I am hoping to avoid this.
Although I know your doing your big trip in sept. so Im sure its out of the question. huh?
