I forget why I don't like big races until we start and then remember, crap the crowd. I think it was something like mile 4 before the masses started to thin out and you weren't running into people. It's so hard for me to get a good pace going.Pre-race, my 13 mile runs came in at just under 2:15. Not fast but with walk breaks I was happy with that. For the race I was hoping to beat 2:30 with the crowd and the hills. At mile 7, when I pulled a thigh muscle I was just praying to finish. Pain for 6.1 miles. I was disappointed because I wasn't tired and I was handling the hills well but the pain, ugh. I finished in 2:58:39. Under 3 hours, injured,well I can't be disappointed in that. Pain and all I enjoyed every single minute.
I think Nike did a great job with the race. I was disappointed with most of the race merchandise. Note to Nike - Not everyone has a long, thin torso and wide shoulders. Some of us are a little shorter and thicker, just saying.
I was told I would be hooked on the race and want to run it again. But I wasn't, could be the pain talking. It would be nice to have a pain free do-over. If I ran it again, I would want to be part of the Team in Training because that was where the excitement was on race day.
Probably wasn't wise to keep running but I came for the necklace and I wasn't leaving without it. I am still hobbling today but it's a small price to pay to say I finished.
Oh and Note to Self - if you run it again don't spend 6 hours walking around sight seeing the day before, just saying, might not have been a good idea.
Help, I think I am addicted. In 4 days I've almost gone through a bag and a half by myself. I must be stopped. Damn Kroger and their 10 for $10.
