The day of the big race was almost here.
My three friends and I went and picked up our packets the day before. We snapped shots at the finish line and the back-drop before just for fun.
Our goodie bags were filled with fun things. I loved that I could put that I was running the race in honor of G who fought and won a battle with testicular cancer 5 years ago.
We woke up early the morning of the race and headed to catch the bus at 3:45 in the morning.
Here we are right before the race started. The butterflies were crazy in my stomach. I had never run a half marathon before. Good thing I was surrounded by these awesome friends.
There were SO many people there. I think I heard there were around 3000 total runners...2500 running the half marathon and 500 running the 5K. We were all packed tightly at the start line. For some odd reason, I thought I'd be able to stay with my friends, but within seconds after crossing the start line, we got separated. I looked back, but was urged by one of my friends to just start picking my path and get to the finish line. I followed her suggestion.
They took some fun pics of us along the way:
I felt pretty good going down the canyon. I started out behind the 2:10 pacer. Within a few minutes, I passed the 2:10, 2:05, and 2:00 pacers. I was excited when the 1:55 pacer came into view and I passed him as well. I kept looking for the 1:50 pacer, but never spotted him/her.
I loved seeing all the inspirational signs about beating cancer. Some made me tear up along the way because I know first-hand how hard it is to deal with these tough battles. There were awesome shirts, tributes, pictures, and stories. The support along the way was unbelievable as well. I loved the corners filled with bright, smiling faces, and people clapping and encouraging. I loved a strip of the trail where there was a band playing beautiful music. It gave me the chills.
Once I hit the bottom of the canyon and started working my way up the golf course, I was starting to wonder what I had gotten myself into. It was hot, there were hills up and down through the golf course, and I still had well over 5 miles to run. I just kept telling myself that I could do it...over and over again.
By the time I hit mile 10, it was really tough. I was fighting an internal battle. On one side, I kept telling myself that I could slow down or walk and still make it...I didn't have to make the under 2 hour goal that I had set for myself. The other side of me kept saying that I could do it, I had told my husband, brothers, and family that I really wanted to make that goal, and I didn't want to disappoint them. So, I pushed it.
At mile 12, the 1:55 pacer came back into view as he passed me. I felt a little disappointed in myself, but knew if I held strong enough, the 2:00 pacer wouldn't pass me.
I'm not quite sure how I even ran the last mile. I had absolutely nothing left in me. I wish I would've had splits for the run, but I know that last mile was pretty slow. (I usually use a running app on my phone to record my runs, but there was no cell service at the top of AF canyon, so I didn't get to record any of the run with the app.) Luckily, I crossed the finish line before the 2:00 pacer passed me. And, since I had started a little after the 1:55 pacer, I technically beat him too.
This was my time: 1:53:40...8:41 pace over 13 miles. I totally beat my goal. I was so excited.
They had water, fruit, chocolate milk, gogurts, and slushy things along with Kneaders French Toast for us at the finish line. I thought I would love the French Toast, but I didn't have much of an appetite for it, so I totally wasted it. I did eat the fruit and drink the water though.
Such a fun accomplishment with some great friends.
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