Valentines Weekend 2016 -Part 3- The Race

Saturday morning came in a flash! I didn't even remember falling asleep or when. We headed down to breakfast at the hotel, I was so shaky I'm surprised that I forced anything down. But the waffles tasted extra amazing even though I was feeling queasy. After breakfast I went to get my clothes on, I was a total mess and kept asking Kade "why did I sign up, why did I think this was ever a good idea?" All of a sudden it was time to go and I was hoping we would 1. Find the place and 2. Be on time.

We found the park no problem and we somehow navigated to the perfect parking place without trouble. I hadn't heard from my cheering crowd yet (my family) and I'd hoped they wouldn't get lost. They drove all that way and I really wanted them to see the start. I didn't know much about the park and I figured the first and the last was all they would see of the race. I made my way to the starting line, and found it, no one was lining up there yet. It was about 20 minutes till go time so I used the bathroom, I texted my cheering crowed, and worried. About 5 mins before everyone made it (yay), I saw that people were lining up at the start. We got a few before pictures, and then I made my way to line up. 

It wasn't a large race maybe 100 something people but I tried to go clear to the back of the pack. I knew that I would be at the back end due to my pace. They gave us course instructions and then it was go time. 

Now, everyone's number one tip is to not start out too fast, but it is hard not to. I kept looking at my watch and although it felt like I was running really slow I was  holding a very fast pace for me. I kept trying to slow down. I finally found my pace and the people that I would be passing/being passed by all race. There were two girls in particular that were friends who would walk, I would pass them, they would run and pass me again.

Around 1.5 miles in I couldn't believe how great I was feeling but because I had been so nervous I really had to pee!   I picked this race because I knew there were 6 places I could use the restroom...me and my mommy bladder ;) anyway I talked to someone on the course and they let me know I had already passed a bathroom but there was one at mile three. So I kept up my hustle, I got to mile three in 33 minutes which for me is pretty quick considering I had 10 more miles to go. Looking back through my splits you can't tell I went to the bathroom the first time because I must have tried to makeup for time lost. 

The course was very nice, so much to look at. I had a conversation or two with random runners. And at mile 4 I finally turned on my headphones, because I wasn't really close to anyone. To me that is amazing that I kept myself occupied for 4 miles without any kind of distraction. At mile five I got an amazing surprise, my cheering crowd was at the water station! I didn't think I would get to see them during the race so I had to keep the tears back. I get SUPER emotional when I run, such raw feeling everywhere. The course was out and back so I knew I would get to see them again in 3 miles.  This was the longest part of the race...I kept waiting to see the station so I could turn around...I felt like it wouldn't ever come! 

While I was waiting for half point there was an older man I started a conversation with. It was his 63rd half marathon if I remember right. We talked and he just made that mile bearable! I was so excited to see half way point, and I knew I would see my cheering section soon. I felt like it was all down hill from there, just 10k to go. 

I gave everyone high-fives at mile 8 when I saw them! I was PUMPED, but within a quarter mile I started the doubt game in my head. I still had 5 miles to go....5 miles. Oh no, I have 5 MILES. I had tears running down my face. I remember man walk his dog passed me and said, this is such a hard course, keep going. I did the only thing I could think of, I texted Trecia. 

After a few texts and trying to positive talk my way out things were feeling better. I knew mile 10 had a bathroom and I just needed to make it there!  I started to feel good again and I did end up using mile 10's bathroom. At 10.5ish I was crossing a bridge and my family was hanging out on it, Richard jumped in and I raced him across the bridge.

 And then I realized he was planning on running the last 2.5 with me. This made my day!!!! I have done 11 miles as my longest training run and I knew the last few miles would be really difficult. He made my load lighter by just being there so I knew I wasn't alone. We talked and I checked my watch and I was shocked at how my pace was getting quicker. I went from 11-10 minute splits. My last mile was a sub 10! We talked and before I knew it I was sprinting across the finish line! 

My official time: 2:41:15 12:17minutes/mile

My watch time: 2:33:53 11:43minutes/mile (I paused my watch during potty breaks)

I did it! Thank you EVERYONE, for the calls and the texts, for driving down to watch, for watching kids, and running by my side. I feel so blessed and I am excited to smash my time during my next half. I think I'm hooked y'all!