Here's a brief summary of how it went ...
The morning started off very cold, the temperature at start time was below 50 degrees. Once we got to the race site we stood in line at the port-a-potties for at least 20 minutes. Turns out while we were waiting the race officially began ... whoops. Lucky for us they gave every runner a device that clocked each person individually. It started my time as I crossed the start line and ended when I crossed the finish line. We ended up starting the race about 8 minutes late, but there were still many people starting behind us. Once we got started we kept a 9 minute pace. For some reason (I'm beginning to think its due to the cold weather) around 1.5 miles I got a stitch in my side. I think its kind of crazy that I got one that early in the race, but eventually it went away. Miles 2 through 7 came and went, they were all pretty uneventful in my opinion with the exception of seeing some of our friends Mike Schroeder and Ryan Bach (they were there for moral support for their girlfriends). About mile 8 we had slowed the pace down to about 9:20/mile. My knee was killing me to put it mildly. It was about that time that I was starting to get thoughts that I might not be able to run the whole thing. Lucky for me, Todd wouldn't let me quit. Around mile 11 all we had left was downhill for the remainder which Todd informed me of, which didn't really make me any happier. At that time per Todd's suggestion I started listening to my iPOD - his logic is I run faster when I listen to music. He was right, we picked up the pace slightly. Mile 12 came next and for some reason my knee was no longer in pain instead I was a getting pretty light headed. I think it was due to my electrolytes being out of whack from all the running. Whether that was the reason or not, I only had 1.1 miles left and I had to finish!! Once we could see the finish line we started to sprint, grabbed each others hand, and finally crossed the finish line together. As soon as I stopped running my knee was in more pain than at any other time during that race - I can't even put words to it. But, thankfully it was over. We each received a medal, got a bunch of free snacks, and met up with some other friends that were running it. By the time we were leaving the race to head back to the car we found out our official race time. We didn't end up beating our 2nd goal, but we were pretty dang close ... we finished at .... (drumroll please) .....
2:00:17
I can honestly say that I'm happy with that time and I think Todd is too.
Todd and I
Todd, Me, and TJ
I can now say that I've run a half marathon!! I don't think I ever will again, but who cares. The first one is the only one that matters. Todd on the other hand has started training for a full marathon, the New Orleans Rock'n'Roll in February. I think he's crazy.
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