Runners rock!

What a race! I'm a 1/2 marathon girl; and I'm ready for more, just not this minute. Here's the run-down of today's half-marathon.

Miles 1-5 went very smoothly, nothing out of the ordinary. After about mile 6, not so smooth. I remember thinking at mile 7 "what? we've barely passed the half-way point?" Starting a little after mile 7, we're at 35th St. and turn to head south on Lake Shore Dr. For the next 4 miles or so the sun was beating down on us, I don't think I've ever sweated so much as I did miles 7-10. Thank goodness for the aid stations, although I still haven't figured out how to drink water and run at the same time. I don't remember much about mile 8.

At about mile 9 I start to slow down and I start to feel sluggish, oh no. At this point Kanye West's song "Stronger" comes on and I am pumped. The feeling lasts for half a mile, "why can't songs be longer?" Between mile 9 and 10 I keep repeating Jennifer's words of encouragement, "confidence, that's all you need, you can do it." Once I reach mile 10 I'm feeling pretty good about having gotten that far. I think "good, 10 miles down, 3 more to go." But at the same time I'm thinking "ugh, 3 more to go."

I'm feeling very slow at mile 11. Mile 11 is also where I thank God for my health and safety always, especially on my runs. I start to get a little emotional too, but that only lasts a few seconds; it's hard to run and breathe when you're all choked up. Mile 11 seemed like the longest mile ever in the history of measured distances. Ugghhh, I'm never gonna make it. All I want to do is get to mile 12 because then all that is left is one more mile. Why is mile 11 sooo looong?? Finally, mile 12! Yaaay, 1 more to go. Almost there, almost there.

We turn a bend somewhere and I can see the finish line. Well, nothing left to do but to take-off. I'm running as fast as I can. More importantly, I'm smiling a big cheesy smile as I cross the finish line. Like I said, I'm ready for more.

today's stats: 13.1 mi.; 2:06:43