sorry this is so long, but here's my race report...
Race due to start at 8am, left the house with plenty of time to find the place. Got to the school, got my bib, chip, and t-shirt, thats all, the goodie bags were just flyers for upcoming races. Tried to use the bathroom, the water was shut off, it was nasty, couldnt flush and lots of people had been there first, luckily there were porta-potties outside and along the course. Walked to the start line, the day was overcast and low 50s, just perfect! We lined up wherever we wanted to, no pacers or anything, so I was closer to the front than normal, every little bit helps! Met some really nice runners, and they warned me about the hills. No gun or anything, just a guy shouted GO and we were off. About half a mile in, there was a family cheering someone on, they told her youre almost there, had me laughing! I did really well (for me, remember, I am slow) for the first 6 or 7 miles, a lot of it was uphill, but it was gradual, so not too bad. There were clocks at each mile, and I had a good 5K time, a PR 10K and a PR 15K, but wasnt done yet. Just after mile 7, the road was like a roller coaster, up a hill, down a hill, sharp corner into a hill, and it went like that to about mile 9. There were water stops about every 2 or so miles, until mile 7, then none until 10. I started to blister around mile 4 (only ended up with 2 this time!), but they didnt get bad until around mile 10. Mile 10 I hit the wall. Hard. I was cramping really bad, the backs of my legs and my calves, I slowed down to barely moving, just really struggling. Got to the water stop, it was a Boy Scout troop. The boys were awesome, calling my number, telling me to keep going, BUT their leader was terrible. I got just past the tables, and I heard him, very clearly, say shes wearing the right shirt, dead last. Ive always felt that last was ok, (someone has to be last, right?), but it really hurt to hear it the way he said it. If a pick up vehicle had come by at that point, I think I would have quit, luckily none did. I pushed on, first with hurt feelings, then I got mad, who was he anyways, HE wasnt running, HE wasnt doing a half marathon, I was! I made it to mile 11, and it got better from there, I worked the cramps out (Tylenol helped) and got my head back in the right place, the hills werent as bad, and the last water stop cheered and told me to keep going. A lot of the runners were leaving as I got closer to the end, and they beeped and waved and hollered as they passed me. Finally I could see my daughter waving and then the finish line. They had already pulled the chip mat up, the food was gone, only a few people still hanging around, but they still cheered as I crossed. Not a great finish time, there was a 4 hour limit and I came in 3:48, but I did finish and thats all that matters, I came in 974, DLF, and there were 153 runners that DNF. We got nice finisher medals, they match the shirt and the bibs. Would I do this one again? Maybe. Lots of hills, but they werent that bad, running along the lake gave me lots to look at, we even passed a scenic view at one point. Id like to be faster though, so I could have been back for the awards ceremony, the snacks, and the massages that were done before I finished.
How sweet is life anyway???? 
Everyone say a prayer for DH...
