I'm So Glad That's Over With

I did it!

I ran and finished the half-marathon today. I am so relieved I don't have to worry about it anymore (until next year, right Janice?).

Here I am right before the race, cold and nervous as can be:

Here I am taking off:



I started at the head of the pack which was a Bad Idea because I was getting passed right and left for almost the entire race. Next time-I'm going all the way to the rear so I can at least feel like a winner as I cruise past the slow pokes.

And here I am after the first five miles:



In the picture, you can see that I'm messing with my long sleeve shirt that I have tied around my waste. I pulled it off and threw it to my mom and then proceeded to step right into the circled pothole. Amazingly enough, I didn't twist anything and so was able to continue on my "merry" way (the thought did occur to me that had I twisted something I would have a valid excuse for quitting early).

I felt pretty good (on and off) from mile 4 through mile 11 and then things got really uncomfortable. It felt like one of those dreams where you want to run, you need to run, but you can't run because your legs won't work right, or maybe they are enveloped in a quicksand like material (I hate that dream). My mind so badly wanted to run fast so I could just be done with it, but my body had given all it had and so could only move at what felt like a snail's pace.

But, I finished, and that's the important thing. I ran it in 1:57.30 which isn't as good as I did 7 years ago, but still better than I did 5 and 6 years ago (I should hope so since 6 years ago I was less than 3 months post-partum with Juan Carlos-crazy, huh?).

I crossed the finish line and made it to the first piece of shade I could find and camped it:



My mom finally helped me up and we walked around a bit. I was walking kind of funny, as you can see in this lovely shot:



Ouch! Sadly, things haven't improved with time-I am hobbling around like a little old lady tonight and can barely make it down steps. (It didn't stop me from going shopping tonight, though) I'll spare you the details of the various areas of chafing I've got going on right now.

A HUGE thanks to my mom-without her I don't think I would have done it. I was in complete denial the night before that I was actually going to do it, so she, being the real runner in the family, got all my gear ready, packed a bag of any and all supplies that I may possibly need before, during and after the race, and then went out to the store at 9 pm to get my pre-and post-race snacks. She got up at the crack of dawn to drive me up there and then found me at three different places during the race to cheer me on. Then she came out and ran the last mile with me.

Isn't she a good mommy? Even if she does wears her shirt backwards (like I said, it was really early when we left the house) :)

Thanks so much for all of your well wishes.