Race Day

At the beginning of each year I don't really make resolutions. Or set goals. I like to think more along the lines of "desired outcomes". And for this year one of my most "desired outcomes" was to run three half marathons. And to be able to finish one of them in under two hours.

Recently, I ran my last of those three races. I finished in 1:56:35. Yay!! And that means a sub-2:00:00 finish in two of those three races. Yay, again!!  I won't bore you with the details of this race. Mostly because my grandson is here and I don't want to take time to be clever. Or crafty. Or poignant. Or inspiring. Or any other time-consuming thing like that. I just want to play with him. But if you are interested in reading (a lot!) about this year's first race you can read this post.

http://pointshootspeak.blogspot.com/2011/04/groove-thing.html

It pretty much covers my first sub-2:00:00 finish... And the miserable week that led up to it.

For this year's last race I will simply say that I ran hard. And I ran well. I finished strong. But not too strong. I didn't have much left at the end. This is a good outcome. The best outcome, really. Bonus that I broke the 2-hour barrier. Yay!

And here are a few pics from the day. For your enjoyment. 

Because I know how much we all love enjoyment. And a blog with pics. : ) 

This is me getting ready. I am not stretching. I am putting my timing chip on my shoe. 

It is 6:43am. And way too early to stretch. Or wear a timing chip. 

I firmly believe that all good races should start at 7 o'clock....pm.

My race day mantra. I have a different one for every race.
I write it on my hand to take my mind off the aching legs.
This one says, "Conquer or Die". It is kind of dramatic. And makes me giggle. : )

This is me just before jumping into the start line. It is cold. And I am freezing. 

Lucky for me the start line is smack in front of The Man's office building. 

I walk outside 3 minutes before the gun, jump over gates, climb under guardrails,

 get in line, and I'm good to go. 

If I hear the National Anthem before I make it to the office building elevator I know it's time to hurry up. 

This has happened more than once. Or twice. Or five times.

This is me waiting in line for 2 minutes. It's not quite so cold smashed in between all those bodies. 

I am making a funny face. Probably to find out if I can see my breath in the air.

This is a shot of all those bodies. Thousands and thousands of bodies. 

This is a shot of someone faster than me. He's so fast that he gets a police escort. 

This is a shot of someone braver than me.
Feel free to submit your own commentary.

This is me just past mile three. When I still feel happy to be there. 

Also mile three. But not me. 

I just couldn't resist posting such a lovely fall display.

There were lots of miles between the last shot and this one. Because this is mile 11.
Where I skipped the aid station and passed the chick in green. And the 2:00:00 pace group. : ) 

I would have done the happy dance if it wouldn't have slowed me down.
(And please pardon the scary white belly shot.)

And the big finish. I am there somewhere.

A smile and a thumbs up.
Because it's over. And I made my time. Yay!

And this is where they remove the timing chip.
Trust me. This is not as easy as it looks. 

Because all the leg muscles are screaming. Loudly.
And you have to hold very still. It's torture.

And a lovely parting shot with The Man/Avid Supporter/Guest Photographer/Massage Therapist for the day.

The End 

Okay. So doesn't this just look like so much fun? I think that everyone should run a race. Because it really is so much fun! Besides, you get free food and chocolate milk at the end.

I am not making it up when I tell you that if I can do it, anyone can.

I am not built to run. But I am built to love the things I work hard for. 

I think all of us are.

And because of this I now have 8 half marathon finisher's medals that I proudly display. 

On my closet wall. 

Before I die I want to have 50. Or more.

And now I am going to go play with this crawling, climbing, exploring, giggling, happy little grandbaby guy that has found his way to my house for a few days.

Yay! = )