2:56:18

So, we finished our 3rd 1/2 Marathon this past Saturday!!! I could believe how amazing the weather was. They were predicting horrible weather like crazy...but we had a window of good weather open up and we got to run rain free!!!

The morning started off a little crazy because they ended up starting the race 15 mins ahead of schedule. So we rushed to get down there and had a few minutes until it was our turn to start. But the atmosphere was so hectic because everyone was all messed up due to the early start. We ended up going with corral #21 but because they weren't allowing a lot of time in between each start it got crowded quickly.

Seeing all the people at the start line is amazing!

I was amazed by the weather and the first part of the race went really smoothly. All the way down Broadway was great and even working our way up the Demonbruen hill wasn't that bad, but once we got to Belmont and fairly close to my house my knee really started bothering me. My house is actually on the course at the 10k marker, so we ran in there for a quick bathroom break and continued on a little more refreshed. The sun popped out a little then, but thankfully didn't last too long.

As we got through mile 8 Mom and I were really looking for a little pick-me-up and hoping to see Larry and James around Edgehill and Music Row. Well, Edgehill came and went and no guys to cheer us on :-( We reached the Round about and headed towards the Gulch. Our knees where bothering us, but knowing the hill down into The Gulch was one of our last ones we decided to pick up the pace again and run it. As we were headed down, right at mile 10 I spotted the yellow hat I had been looking for and saw a blue shirt and knew the guys were ahead! We were so happy to see them and that really gave us the energy to get through those last 3 miles.

Last year due to the heat, the last 3 miles were torturous. This year they weren't bad at all, I was just bummed that I was in too much pain to run. We finished the race by running down the Woodland Street bridge and into LP Stadium. It was wonderful to cross the finish line with Mom at 2:56:18 and have the guys right there waiting for us! We made our way through the corrals of food and out to where the guys were just in time for the down pour. Walking in the rain to the car wasn't that bad, but getting in the car all wet and sitting for 45mins in the car was pretty miserable. But that hot shower once we got home was amazing!

I am so glad the race is over and all the training is over, but it was really a wonderful event! I definitely want to participate again next year and hope by then to figure out my knee issues.

We will be ready for APRIL 30th, 2011 !!!