On Sunday, the 6th of June I ran a race... my second half-marathon and my first race without my family. I left town on Saturday in the early afternoon with a car-full of backpacks and two of my friends from school. The race was on an island, hence the fact that we left on Saturday. Being that we are "poor college" students we were going to camp that night. But not only that, we were going to walk those 4 1/2 miles, heavy laden with all things camping and running and food.
Needless to say we provided many a quiet laugh and broad smile in the people we passed through the day as we took the ferry and walked around town. To see 3 girls, bent over with backpacks about ready to burst and every sort of thing imaginable hanging from them is rather comical. My friend Ashlyn was asked many times about the large pan that would frequently swing back and forth on the back of her rather large and cumbersome backpack.
To make a very long and tiresome story short, we ended up staying the night right by the ferry and the start of the race in a backyard of some very nice people who took pity on us. It was a much easier and more entertaining adventure than previously imagined.
But, I shall now commence to write about the real highlight of our journey. The actual race..
And so here are my thoughts along those 13.1 miles...
Mile 1
I am feeling rather like a pro... this is my hmmm, well 7th real race. Ok, once I counted it didn't seem so impressive. lol We wind through town. Still lots of people around.
Mile 2
Not so cool. If I have to run 11 more miles... uh oh. It always takes too long to reach the mile markers. My friends begin to leave me. I am not going to fight it. I am my own type of runner! I will run my speed... which is slow speed, but no matter. lol
Mile 3
Just starting to wonder what idiot signed up for this race. There is no way I can do it. But then, the fear of DNF next to my name motivated me.
Mile 4
Ah! I have a rhythm now, I am steady and no longer out of breath. Picture time! Woohoo!
Mile 5
This is good. Life is good. Running if good! I AM a runner... I was made to run. At least that is what I was thinking at this point in my life.
Mile 6
Almost half-way. Hills... lots of hills. Had to walk one hill... only the one hill.
Mile 7
Will the hills ever stop!?!?!? My legs are kind of tired. I just ran by lavender fields, so very pretty. I got water too.
Mile 8
Of course this mile marker is right on a ginormous hill! Ouch! The pain!
Mile 9
Just came down a huge hill and the marathon runners are meeting up with us half-marathoners. Its depressing. They have run 5 more miles than you in the same amount of time. *sigh* An older gentlemen gave me a wild rose as I ran past him. He said it was to encourage me. How sweet!
Mile 10
Uphill... the rain is starting to fall. Ran past the outhouse and thought hmmm, I should use it... but no... good motivation to get to the finish line. hehehe
Mile 11
My rear end hurts from all the hills. I am now just a'toodlin' along. Let them pass!
Mile 12
Oh cool! Almost there. Its now steady rain. Some down hill parts. I can see the water.
Mile 13
PAIN! I sprint the last part... I go as fast as possible. Rain and sweat run into my eyes. My legs go numb, my ponytail is flying madly around, I hear cheering.... and then - its over.
Hooray!
Yeah!
Happy days!
Time: 2:49:06.1
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