Race day! It was finally here. After months of training, a couple spills and two weeks of chills it was time to test my mettle. I knew I could finish the race some way or other but I really wanted to be able to run the whole way.
On Saturday, the day before, Alex and I headed to Union Square to pick up my race packet and check out the Expotique. I wanted some Ghiradelli chocolate and a manicure. *g* I got both. Mind you I waited over an hour in line for the manicure, but hey, how often do you get a free one? Oh, and the chocolate was good too. Not to mention the Luna bars.
Picking up my packet.
Saturday evening I talked to Elizabeth, my race buddy, who was unfortunately on the injured list. She still hadn't decided whether she would attempt the race or not. She really wanted to do it, but understandably, did not want to sideline herself for months to come. She told me that regardless of what she decided about the race she would be there in the morning and would cheer me on. I'd planned to get plenty of sleep but anxiety set in. The unknown is always scary and the encountering the unknown alone is scary. So I gave myself a mental shake, after all I always run alone, so what's the big deal. I've done scarier things by myself. So eventually I slept.
Only to wake up Sunday morning (at 5:11!!) thinking "I hope they have the turn off for the half marathon from the full marathon clearly marked!" LOL I sure didn't want to end up doing the wrong race. Alex assured me that it would be well marked (him having run a total of 0 races). But he was right. :)
Alex & Me Pre-race.
So now was the moment of truth. Alex and I headed off in the dark to find Elizabeth and head to the starting point. Elizabeth was waiting for us with her mountain bike, ready to ride the route and cheer me on. Needless to say, Elizabeth is an awesome person!!
Elizabeth & Me pre-race.
I headed for my start point and began the slow move to the start line. Alex and Elizabeth followed me around the Square until I reached the Start Line and my race began.
The race begins!
It was weird for someone that always runs alone to be surrounded by so many people. I never really had an idea how fast I ran compared to other people and I discovered that I'm not half bad. I had a pretty good pace. I did have to dodge around walkers and slower runners which I hadn't really thought about pre-race. I kept my eyes on the road to watch for bumps, lumps and street car tracks, keeping in mind Alex's advice to tuck and roll if I had another fall. I'm proud to report I stayed on my feet the entire race.
Elizabeth rode along the route to cheer me on. Unfortunately we lost each other around Mile 3 and never did meet back up. I looked for her in the cheering groups I passed though and knew she was with me in spirit.
I took advantage of all the water stands and gatorade. I tried my first Cliffshot (ugh!) and it helped a great deal. I did have a sticky mess on my hands from it and was glad that I had loaded my pockets with Kleenex. I skipped the oxygen station though. That just seemed weird. However, Station Ghiradelli I doubled up on so it all works out.
As I approached Mile 7, the hill I'd heard so much about, I could see the runners ahead winding up the hill. It looked steep! I took it slow and steady and was able to keep running all the way up the hill. I hadn't realized how hard the downhills would be on my legs but I quickly found out. The hills I'd been running at home did not have that steep or long a downhill section. Not too mention it was wet and slippery. There were a couple more long, hard hills but I was able to run those as well.
As I neared the finish I was having considerable pain in my right leg but there was no way I was going to stop running at that point. I'd run the whole course so far and was determined to run all the way to the finish line. I kept on plugging away as the miles passed and suddenly the finish line was in sight! I saw Alex on the sidelines near the finish and I poured on the last little bit of speed I had in me and crossed the finish line triumphantly!
Crossing the Finish!
I finished with an official time of 2:35:57! I'm very pleased with my time and incredibly proud to have run the entire 13.1 miles!
Thank you to all my fellow M*A*S*H*ers and WildCats for your endless support and encouragment. And a very special thank you to Alex who supported me, tended my wounds and bolstered my spirits. You are the best!