Honestly, getting ready for the race reminded my of my wedding day except no one was pinning, plucking or telling me to suck it in. Instead my husband asked me about a million times if I had my water bottles, did I take my ibuprofen, and (Lord bless him) reminded me to grab a wad of toilet paper just in case of an emergency.
And just like my wedding prep, I was quiet and reflective then my stomach would do flips. While doing my makeup (yes, I do my make up for races) I looked up into the mirror and grabbed my stomach and began dry heaving. W.T.F? I texted my running "mentor" and she assured me this was not out of the norm. I did this about two more times and I think more then anything it freaked the hubs out more then me.
Michael aka the husband was really focused on getting me to the race. He actually told me in the car I was talking to much and he had to focus. Whatever...
So it was a small race only 2,000 runners. They had us standing around some historic house for about an hour which went relatively fast. Michael thought the start and finish would be at the house we were surrounding and he planned on watching me leave then heading back to the car and playing on the ipad for 2 hours. Well, turns out they transported family several miles away to the trail entrance. It was pretty awesome to see his face when realized he had to get on a school bus and wouldn't get to fulfil his master plan. I could see his little body, sitting all alone as the bus pulled out. haha.
Then we lined up. Here is where I got confused. I had planned on running with a pacer. They held signs with times but that was it. I personally think those signs were usless because when the race started everyone (besides me) hauled ass and I had no idea what "pace group" I was in since a "pacer" was not actually present during the run. Whatevs, keep calm and run on, right?
So I ran with the pack it was pretty incredible to see that many people running together. I think we ran a mile or two before we entered the trail and right when we entered it I saw Michael which filled me with pride.
The pride didn't last two long when I realized how much I was getting passed. It was starting to freak the hell out. So I got to the very edge of the trail, almost in the dirt and looked down. (I didn't want to be messed with- I didn't want to hear fast runner to your left!)
I also realized if I looked up and saw people speeding by me thoughts like, "what if you come in last" or "what if the course closes before your finished" came to mind.
After several miles I started to look up. I was able to tell pretty fast which people were going to fall out. I came up with a theory. If you have a jiggly butt...you probably haven't trained enough, your not strong enough to run the entire race. Now you can be skinny and have a jiggly butt. I saw people on the heavier side with tight butts and they held their own.
I know, why was I looking at asses, right? Well, its just something I noticed that helped me realize that allot of people were going to fast and weren't strong enough to run that way the entire race and I was right.
At one point I seriously thought about turning around and telling someone to f-off. There were three girls, dressed in tu tus who defiantly didn't train for the race. OH MY GAWD they were so annoying. I had my headphones on but they were low enough that I could hear feet pounding near me but loud enough that I couldn't hear someones heavy breathing. But these chicks were totally obnoxious! They were gawking and screaming and squealing. So that was a PITA right there.
Then we were on a small trail and they totally blocked people. They would sprint together, arms hooked and then abruptly stop and walk. I wanted to scream"Single file, bitches!" They really pissed me and allot of other runners off so at one point I just jumped into the grass on the side of the trail and said FTS and took off until I couldn't see them. I just want to get in my zone and run and not be part of their loud inconsiderate rampage.
Around mile 6 the elites were coming back down the trail (out and back) it was so amazing to see them. When I saw the first woman elite run by I screamed so loud for her! I was totally proud of her. I also let her know she was in first place which I'm sure she already knew. But needless to say it was really cool seeing the elites. I believe the gentleman that came in first had under 6 minute splits. Amazing.
I trucked on. I stopped at every water stop (walked the length of it) then jogged. Around mile ten my stomach did a flip I thought my stomach was going to explode. At that point the porta pottys were 3 miles back and I had 3 miles till the finish. I lost my focus because I really thought we had a problem... So I walked for about a mile. I typically don't drink Gatorade on runs but for the half I filled my water bottles with Gatorade and almost drank them completely. I think that was the culprit.
Anyway, I had to tell myself it was nothing it was in my head. After about a mile I was fine and I ran on. Before I knew it, it was over I crossing the finish line the hubs was in clear view and I was filled with pride again.
Now, I expected to be jubilant after the race but again instead quiet and reflective. I was thinking of what I needed to do for the next race and how I really needed to work on speed and conditioning.
My husband thought I would be crying in pain which of course I wasn't. I did feel pretty nasty though. I was sweaty and just felt dirty and I was hunnnnnnnngry. Husband on the other hand was not the least bit hungry. He kept himself entertained while I ran. Apparently he walked 2 miles to McDonalds for breakfast and walked two miles back and basically made in just in time to see me... SMH. I think he took pride in his 4 mile walk. haha.
Before we loaded up into the cheese wagon we took some photos then headed off for the noms.
Finishing Time: 2:27
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