I don’t know where to start…
It was a great first half for me, and definitely the first of many.
The weather was perfect–all week we’d been vascillating between showers and t-storms. It ended up being showers, which was amazing. It was a very light rain that decreased through the duration, overcast but not dark, and nice and cool. The actual rain cut the humidity so it was perfect running weather (in my opinion). I’m not usually one to like running in rain, but I was so happy for it today.
I started too fast–it’s hard not to. But I was able to recover. I walked more than I wanted to, but overall I was very happy with my time. I was expecting to come in around 3:15:00, but my unspoken goal was 3:00:00. By mile 11 I was starting to hurt (my longest run in training was 10), by mile 12 I knew I wouldn’t make 3:00:00, but I knew I wouldn’t be too far off it either. I ended up coming in at 3:06:11, which I’m thrilled with. And as glad I was to be finished, and as sore as I am right now, I really can’t wait to do it again.
The whole thing was very emotional for me. I teared up when I crossed the start line–I was there, this was happening and I was really doing it! I teared up at other points along the route because I was doing it, OMG I was actually doing it. I wouldn’t let myself cry though, because it would have messed with my breathing and breathing was a million times more important, so I sucked it up and went along. I smiled almost the whole time because I’m that girl. Maybe not when I’m on a training run, but when I’m running in a race I smile. Less for the cameras and more for the sheer joy of the race. I’m a geek, what can I say?
I haven’t taken my medal off except for to shower. And I’m wearing my I ::heart:: 13.1 shirt. And I’ve already signed up for my next half marathon–that’s how much I love it. This is my distance. I’m not super interested in doing a full at this point, but if I ever do an official full marathon it will probably be Pittsburgh because running through the city was so much fun. Each of the different neighborhoods had a party going on with bands and cheerathoners.
Now, it’s time for some pictures:
my name on the wall at the Expo.
me all serious like at the start
me at mile 10 (when my boyfriend showed up on the sidelines!)
me and @runstaceyrun at the finish
