So, training was cold. Very cold. I mean, my only other half was Talladega and training for that was hot, very hot and humid. The morning of the race, it was 19 degrees when I got up! By the time we parked the car, it was only 24 degrees. I kept thinking how nice and warm my bed would be if I would just crawl back into it. But, alas, no. I could not let my buddy run alone. :o)
So I donned my gloves, my long compression socks, my long pants, my headband (that I actually used more like an ear cover) and my longsleeve shirt and we set out for the starting gate. I could not believe how many people were there! It was a Boston qualifier but wow! I don't think the crowd ever thinned out so much that I wasn't weaving or dodging people. We decided to get in the 9 minute per mile group at the starting line. Geez! That was optimistic! But, heck, why not?! I was trying to beat my husband's time of 2 hours 6 minutes and a few seconds. Well, **spoiler alert*** that record is safe. I couldn't decide if I should start fast and slow down later, start slow and speed up or keep a steady pace the entire time. I ended up starting faster than normal but keeping a steady pace the entire time. I apparently do not give myself enough credit and can actual run faster for a longer distance than I thought. Thanks running buddy (he set our initial pace)! I eventually told him to go on without me because I couldn't sustain the initial pace for the entire run. I eventually caught up with him around mile 11 or 12. It was actually fun running with him - everyone kept hollering at him "Looking good tuxedo man" and "way to go tuxedo man" - he was wearing a top hat and one of those tuxedo shirts. I need to work on a fun/unique outfit for next race! My "fun" things this race were my argyle compression socks (that I LOVE) and my headband that said "Run now, wine later." Clever.
I started too fast, slowed down a little (but not much!) and kept a good pace throughout the race but the terrain was much hillier than I expected. I actually run part of that course occasionally at lunch during the week since it is near my office so I thought it would be no big deal. WRONG! Hills, hills everywhere! I kept seeing the marathon marker holding the sign for a finish time of 4:15 and I thought if I could keep in front of her, I would be happy. Well, I kept catching her and then she kept passing me. I also kept trying to drink water while running and not spill it on myself because it was so cold (at Talladega, I was pouring the stuff on my head!). Well, my arm and shirt sleeve were soaking wet, of course! I also took one glove off at some point (I think around mile 8) and immediately regretted it. My hands were sweating but the moment I took that glove off, my hand was freezing (that is why in the pic above and to the right I look like I have no right hand - I hid it in my sleeve). Should have left it on!!!! I sprinted the last quarter mile or so. Funny how you can find that last little bit of energy to push you through to the finish line. Well, I finished in 2:08:21. PR for me (Talladega was 2:12:59). I was happy, especially considering the tough/hilly terrain. No complaints here. Now, my running buddy is attempting to talk me into a full - Rock n Roll, Savannah GA, November 9, 2013. PLENTY of time to train so I am considering it. Plus I said I wanted to 1/2s accomplished first. Check the box for that!
But next on the list is the Tough Mudder in Washington, Georgia on April 6, 2013. Let's pray we survive! There are 5 of us doing it together, and, yes, I am the only girl on a team full of wonderfully fit guys. Girls, I seriously need a female running buddy! I just hope that I don't hold the guys back and I don't see them rolling their eyes as they wait for me to catch up. Yep, this one is all about team, not time, right?? :o)
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