So I woke up this morning and thought, This is what we do for fun. As in, why would you leave work early to drive 4 1/2 hours to stay in a cheap hotel that smells strongly of cleaner, just to get up at 6 am when it's kind of cold out, stand around til someone fires a gun, and then run a 13.1 mile loop to basically end up where you started, all for a medal you can't wear in public because people will think you're bragging/crazy. Then I thought, This is what we do for fun. THIS. IS. FUN. My dad says there's no reason to ever run further than 5 miles in a day, maybe a 10k if you want to race. That will let you eat pretty much what you want, in reason, keep you healthy, and you won't get hurt. I told him that we run half marathons because we CAN. Because it's far enough to be a challenge. Because I feel like I accomplished something. And even if I'm slow, I did something this morning that lots of people won't ever attempt!
So here's how it went:
Colder than I thought this morning. My hands were freezing. I had planned to bring gloves, but the forecasted high is 60, so I knew they'd end up on the side of the road. Another runner had socks on his hands!
The start was VERY jammed with people, not well organized, and late. Steve said it took him 5 minutes to weave around the slow people who started at the front (RACE ETIQUETTE!!!) and no one passed him after that. Lots of people passed me :)
I started strong with 10:30 miles, which slowed after 3 miles to 11 minutes, but my worst mile (yes, I took a break and walked up the hill!) was still 12:something.
I guess Steve could see me when I came around the stadium. I sent him a text so he'd know I would be finishing soon. He wanted to know why I was on my phone when I should be running!
I ran around the field to the finish with a big smile on my face. The sun was shining, I beat my last time, I finished strong, and ooh! a shiny medal!
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