Lake County Half

Here's the cool t-shirt for the Lake County Half.  It looks really small ~ even tho' it's a medium.  I didn't try it on, but I wonder how it will fit {looks like it may be a 1/2 shirt...and I don't need my belly showing}  However, I saw some women wearing them today, and they fit them just fine.  I guess I could try it on & see, but that seems like a lot of work at this point.  I went into this half {only my third & the only one I've run that wasn't Cleveland}, feeling quite anxious.  No one said, "Easy course, you'll be fine."   Lots of people talked about the hills...and the hills and the hill to the finish line.  So I trained hills & felt like a BEAST doing so.  I channeled my inner beast today... and needed all of her.  Of course, I started off faster than planned.  How is it that 8:20/mile pace seems SOOOO fast in training, but so slow race day?  I haven't plugged in my watch yet, but those first two miles were around 8:00 flat.  So I didn't go too fast, and I'm glad I banked those seconds as the hills took their toll on my pace.  

Sight: a man in a very cool Incredible Hulk shirt taking selfies during the race.  Would have been fun to photo bomb him, had a been a few steps closer.  {I'm not opposed to selfies ~ just look at most of my posts ~ but during a race...was odd}

Sight: a man running in what were basically flip-flops.  Seriously.  Flip-flops with a heel strap.  He was ahead of me, so I can't judge.

Sound: "Why do they put a pocket on the back of these pants?  Seriously.  My ass is large enough without a pocket."  {I know the person who said this in passing ~ and she didn't see me ~ which makes this even funnier.}

But back to the race:  Miles three, four, and five were all uphill {I swear...it seemed like there was no down} in Chapin Forest.  It was a trail in the woods so it was shady, but boy that was a long haul.  As I 'recovered' during mile 6 {In the sun on the pavement} I felt tired legs, but a strong spirit.  I had TRAINED for these hills.  I am a BEAST.  Then came mile 8.  All I could think was, "get me to the 9 flag."  I seriously wondered if I had enough in the tank.  {I did take a tiny little bit of my Honey Stinger...and then it fell out of my pocket, so I couldn't have anymore.}  But the next thing I knew ~ I was at mile 10....headed to the Farmpark...passed the mile 11 flag just as I turned into the park.  Still 2 miles to do at the Farmpark...ran back under the start arch...all the way to the back {which is the bottom} of the park.  Then a mile and a half UPHILL to the finish.  Official time: 1:55:18.  Met my goal of being under 2.  

Hill, yeah.

Beast.

The before and after picture.  Glad to see that is a real smile for the after.  This race was REALLY REALLY challenging.  Dodd placed first in his age group {a bag & socks}  I placed second in mine {would have had to PR to beat the first place girl ~ OMG}  

My amazing husband who gave up his Father's Day morning, just because I wanted him to.  He's a good support crew :)

And my bling.  a bag, a very cool finisher's medal & $20 to Second Sole.  Which is amazing, because those blue Brooks have over 500 miles on them.  This was their retirement run.  They have been the best shoes.