Pensacola Half Marathon 11/11/12

This was by far my favorite race ever. It was perfect. From the pick up packet at Crown Plaza to the post race party, it was fabulous. This was so much better than the last half I ran. The weather was chilly and windy, but was better than Louisiana humidity!! It was in the 50s when we started, but warmed up to upper 60s and low 70s for end of half. I woke up at 4:30 that morning. I'm not really even sure if I slept! I took a Claritin D by mistake the night before! I meant just to unwrap it but was talking to Rae and Dan and swallowed it!!! I was preparing my clothes and running gear and just forgot what I was doing!! I was in the Courtyard Marriott lobby by 530 after stretching. I ate a banana from the goodie race bag the hotel gave me! I loved that and it was helpful bot to worry about what i would eat pre-race. They even had peanut butter for me when I asked! I drank three sips of delicious coffee. I'm always careful how much I drink, but wanted a few sips of my mojo! I met up with my rockstar friend Mandy Bradley who ran the FULL course, and we headed to the start line! It was there that I ran into my old boss Udo who was also running the half. He is from Germany and we always had that in common-I lived there for years and loved it there. It was so good seeing him!

The pink sunrise was surreal and the pre-race devotional inspiring. Mile 1 is always my worst mile and I loathe it. I almost want to sprint it just to get it over with. I am not sure if that will ever change. My body was like-are you really doing this? We ran towards Bayfront Parkway, over a pink sunrise,
and I could see the beach and bridge to my right. We turned left onto Scenic Highway-which is a slight incline all the way! I knew this, but I was feeling it! I was so glad I had a breathtaking view on Scenic because the hill was sucking the life out of me. I really was feeling good all the way to mile 8! I passed up a beer table, a Santa Claus, and a dancing man with a bell and sombrero. On Summitt Blvd. if you do not know, Pensacola is HILLY and although I loved going down the hills, the beast hill on mile 8 was my biggest challenge to date. It was really a big hill for a runner who has only experienced flat Louisiana! You couldn't see the end of it. That was the only time I had to slow down to a jog and walk for a minute, then jog, walk. I believe this lasted for 2-3 minutes but felt like eternity. The high school band there was awesome though and they were having so much fun! Great placing for
them. All the aid stations were amazing! I passed up the beer stop but did partake in some GU and a nice guy gave me a flag and I gladly accepted it. After the beast of a mountain, I continued and turned on Palafox where the race ended in downtown Pensacola. My family met me and I loved all the hugs and kisses they bestowed upon me. This race was amazing. I think I want to run it every year! It was highly organized and just awesome! I made a new PR of 2.37. I'm not the fastest, but I'm okay with it! I also did not post too much about it but I had been sick for two weeks with a chronic sinus infection and was still feeling it. This race was special in every way. I ran with a special friend. I had my family with me. I was in my hometown. Most importantly, I ran for my dad-a Veteran who 6 years ago reminded me Veteran's Day was right around the corner. He passed away after it-close to Thanksgiving. I also ran it for all the people who couldn't run. And the crazy part is- 24 hours later I am thinking already about my next one...

My first half! 10/14/12. Gulf Coast Half

First half marathon! It was a humid one!! I met my friend Mandy there and was so excited to just RUN. Flat flat flat and hot hot hot! The route started in Fontainebleau Park, then 190, then towards the lakefront. We went down streets on the lakefront i had never been down...I loved all the fans and cheerleaders yelling my name! I was really doing well until mile 7. I think I was overheated and had to slow down. I finished in 2.43. I was fine with that because honestly it was so humid and I wasn't sure if I'd make it.
A great sense of accomplishment! I have to say I almost teared up at end. I was surprised to see my friend Laura with my family jumping up and down with a poster in hand. I'd never ask anyone to come watch and wait for me running....I think especially with the heat how hard it would be! I even asked my husband not to come so early with the kids. But they were all there. That meant the world to me. I'll never forget that.