Despite a gut ache that has lasted all last week, keeping me from running, I successfully completed a half marathon yesterday morning. I had signed up for this race to just keep up my fitness after the relay in August (where I ran 14 miles over 24 hours). So now I was attempting to run 13.1 miles without stopping to walk or rest.
I got to the start line a little too late to wait in line at the porty potties and therefore had to get in line for the race. In hindsight, perhaps I should have stayed in line and just taken my potty break, since I had a chip timer on my shoe and I could have started a little late and had my start still count. Instead I started with a pace team that was carrying a sign for 2:25 and struck up conversations for the first 10 miles with this group. It really helped the miles tick by to actually have a group running my pace. I also felt like a real runner finally being fast enough to run with a pacing team.
My main fans were Nate and the kids in a double stroller which he rushed around town to see me at mile 1 (took my sweats), mile 3 (gave me a hat), mile 5, mile 12("Go Mommy!") and the finish! I was amazed at how often I saw them cheering me on. It really helped me.
After my potty break at mile 10 which I think took me 4 or 5 minutes I ran three 10 minute miles to catch up and pass the last pacing team (2:30), and kick nit home the last 1/4 mile at 9 minute pace. My chip time was 2:27:44 (11:17 pace). I remember the day when that was my pace on a 5k race! The last half marathon I ran was in 2005 before I had had children. I weighed 25 pounds more than I do now and ran it in 2:47. If I hadn't stopped for that much needed potty break (waiting in that potty line) I think I could have even beaten 2:25 (and had a pace in the 10 minute per mile range).
Races like this one are a blast. They make you feel fit and happy to be alive. At the finish we were given medals that were cowbells on ribbons, since this is the Cowtown Half. If I run it again next year I'll have to dress up more like a cow.
For now I need to focus on beating this stomach ache and getting ready for the Fun Run 5k on Dec 5th and our Marathon relay as a family on Dec 6th.
