Race Recap

Official time: 1:57:50. I feel good about this time considering:

1. I took 8 minutes off my personal [and only] record of 2:05:57

2. There were 4 rolling hills compared to zero hills in Chicago

3. I didn't know I was going to be running until the Monday before, so training was minimal
4. I was #85 out of 498 female finishers.

I started out running about a 8:45 for the first 7 miles. I started to slow down around mile 8. Mile 9 was the worst, I looked at my Garmin 20 times. Then the 9:00 minute "pacer" man came along and I finished up running with that group. The last mile was still hard, but I felt a lot better during and after this half-marathon than at Chicago. This was my first time to race with my Garmin and it helped me like crazy. What was I thinking running without one!?!?!

It was painful to walk after Chicago but I felt great all day Saturday and never got sore Sunday.

 Megan came to watch me finish! and these are the pictures she took. My camera is MIA right now... will find soon. 

Here is a be-hind shot. I'm booking it!

Overall the race was VERY organized for being so small [only 1,000 runners].They had corrals at the start, pacers for 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 minute miles [to help you stay on track with your goal time], and timing chips. The only thing I don't think they had was a photographer. Oh well, they had AWESOME food afterwards and handed out GU gels during the race. I would highly recommend this race to anyone.

Soaring Wings Half-Marathon

[have not ran in couple days, I'm saving myself for tomorrow. hehe]

Tommorrow I am running the Soaring Wings Half-Marathon in Conway. I'm excited to run in my hometown, I just hope I don't blow it. Those four "rolling hills" may be the death of me. If anyone sees me walking please yell "Get moving fatso slowpoke!!!"

ALSO: Kent cancelled a three day hunting trip to go with me. He said he might even jump in on the last mile and say the above phrase. The nice phrase. I will need it.

If you want to see me dying running slowly, here is the course map:

Places to Yell at Marietta

I've got all my gear laid out [already]. I was super pumped to find a PINK Under-Armour shirt. Thank you Academy. I will wear my yoga pants until just before the race and give them to Kento. I will probably start running in the ugly, red, throw-away sweater and then donate it to the streets of Conway after Mile 1.

So good luck to me! ahhh! I have not given myself a goal time because I am running for fun [which is a total lie. i just don't want to jinxy myself! i can live with letting myself down, but not others. am i so vain?]