Well what a great weekend! Kristen and I drove into Dayton to my sister's house, which is where we stayed for the weekend. We first stopped to pick up Jen for dinner and packet pickup. We tried to get some sleep but as always--the excitement and anticipation of the race kept us tossing and turning. My Mom came to Dayton to watch us and we all stayed with my sister and her family. It was a lot of fun! There was free entertainment with my brother-in-law and Kristen. They had us all cracking up!
Last year, I ran the AF half and it took me about 2 hours to travel 20 miles. It was horrible because of almost missing the start of the race. SO this year I told the girls that we would be leaving before the sun even thought of waking up. The gates at the base opened at 5:30 so we left my sister's around 5:05am. So that meant we were up getting dressed and grabbing our breakfast as we flew out the door--alarm sounded at 4:30am. They love me or who would get up that early for any reason??!! We arrived without any trouble at the base and got a GREAT parking spot. We were in the second row. However, we could look out at the road and see the backed up traffic already starting. So we did one of the things we do best--talked. I know those of you that know any of us are probably surprised that we talked for the next 2 hours straight. HAHA! THen off to the Port a Kleens (HAHA! what a funny name) for the last potty stop before the gun went off. We found the photographer (a.k.a Craig Nye) to take our picture since we have failed to get a group picture at any of our races this year.
We were slowly walking towards the start when the cannon went off. Well I guess it's time to start so we kept walking and met the crowd and walked and walked until we were able to actually start moving. The course is very flat with a couple hills. So it makes for an awesome race.
Jen and I have been doing our long runs together so planned to do the entire half together. Our training runs we have not been timing but know they are slow because we stop for fluid re-fills and potty stops (I cannot seem to run more than about 5 miles without a pit stop). I dreamed of running 10 minute miles but my realistic goal was to beat 2:18 which was out fastest half up to this point. Well, God is good! Kristen because of work schedule has not been able to train with us but has been out there training and doing her miles in her hectic schedule. I kept wondering as were running where she was on the course, how she was feeling, and could not wait to see her come acrossed the line! What a great day!
The blessings were great this weekend: none of us were injured! safe travels for each of us! I got to be back in my home state and my family was there! being prior military it is fun to be at the Air Force marathon and to be there with my two best running partners and best friends! the pain off of training on the hills and the high humidity--a PR!
So my finish time was: 2:11:53/ 10:05 per mile pace!!!!
I am so thankful that God has kept us all pretty well free of injury and the training plan has worked out. He has showed us when we need to slack back and when to push ahead. He is our strength as we do these races and long runs. I know that is the only way we are able to do what we have been doing.
Now it's Race for the Cure on Saturday which will be the first 5K of the year! I think I am more nervous to see what is in store for me there than I was for the half marathon. Then it is off to Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota for the Twin Cities Marathon. We are going without our families but they can track us from home through text to their cellphones I think it is. It will be Jen's very first full marathon! YAHHHHOOOOO--this is all because we all turn 40 this year! You have to do it big!
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