2:15:44

That was my time for the half-marathon on Sunday. I was really hoping for 2:20, so was excited about 2:15. Yes, that is two hours, 15 minutes, and 44 seconds of RUNNING! That means I can now cross off another 2010 Goal, which rocks! Now to learn to digital scrapbook. I may need to come spend a weekend at your house and have you walk me through it, I am just lame when it comes to learning new technology on my own.

Okay, a little about the race. First, I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning, not because of the race, but because I had to put my daughter's hair in rollers for her performance that day. It was either get up early or stay up Saturday night until like 1:00am, so I chose to go to bed at a decent time on Saturday and get up early on Sunday. So, I rolled her hair, drank some water, ate a little breakfast (banana and whole wheat toast), then got into my racing attire.

I have to admit I had some nerves and I was also very concerned about some digestive issues I have been having. I really thought I might not be able to complete the race or be very hindered if the problem reared its ugly head while running. So that made for one anxious runner at the start of the race. This is not like me at all as I am usually pretty calm, cool, and collected in most situations. I had a timing chip on my right shoe and my racing bib on my shirt, so I was ready to go. I did a little warming up waiting in the starting area. The MC for the day was chipper and talkative and made it fun. The name of the race was the Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon (I know it was really Dos de Mayo that day, but I'm guessing the first time they did this race it was on 5/5). So, to keep with the Cinco de Mayo theme a mariachi gentleman sang the National Anthem and was quite good too. Along the course there were a few mariachi bands playing and many of the volunteers along the course and at the main event area wore sombrero hats.

They counted us down to the start and we were off. It was totally weird running with that many people, I never run with anyone, so it just felt odd. In fact, I think the first few miles were the hardest because of my nerves, worry about digestion, all these people, and not knowing where I was running. After the first few miles I settled down and just focused though.

The course was really nice. We ran through residential areas with man-made lakes, through a park that was more like a nature preserve, near the riverbed, and by a strawberry field. The weather was perfect: mostly overcast, a slight breeze, and temps in the mid 60s-low 70s as the morning progressed.

When I neared the finish line, I heard my hubby cheering me on and he had a sign he had made me while I was racing. He was so sweet! When I finished, there were volunteers waiting to give me my medal and clip off my timing chip. Then I got to go to the runners only area for free water, energy drinks, fruit, granola bars, etc. to help me recover from the run. I had an apple and a water bottle and grabbed a granola bar for later. Here are a few pictures from the race:

Before the race:


Running toward the finish line:


After the race with the sign hubby made me and my medal around my neck:

I am already thinking hard about doing another half marathon in September at Disneyland - I think that would be super fun!