One of the reasons I enjoy running in races is the people watching, especially in the winter. People are bundled up like they are going on a hike in the frozen tundra land. And there are men who are wearing tights who should not be. As i waited for the race to start I just stood to the side watching...then I saw some smiling faces that I knew; Whitney, Shannon, and Sarah. Thanks ladies for your encouragement at the beginning of a cold morning!
As we started running, I took it slow as I hadn't run more than 4 miles in a little over a week. I was nervous about the 9 miles, but once I found a good play list on my iPod I was in the groove and there was a dance party going on in my head! We rounded the corner and I could see the James River - it was so pretty! The scenery was distracting me from the slight hills I love so much! The race volunteers were so excited to see us runners at the water stops as we approached the lakes in and around Byrd park. I thanked each person that I took water from. I can only imagine how cold they were, but you would never know it from the loud cheers and dancing they were doing! I was almost to the turn around at the end of Boulavard and I hear a loud cheer, "woo Go A! looking strong!" It was my running friend Vickie cheering me on! Thanks lady! I needed those cheers because my hips were hurting and the dance party was slowing down in my head! Once I turned around and saw you again I was good to go for the rest of the race!
My legs went numb around mile 7 and I wanted to stop. be done. call it quits. I was tired. I was hungary. I wanted pancakes. I kept running but slowed my pace. As long as one foot was in front of the other I would keep moving forward. And soon enough I saw mile marker 9 and rounded the corner and there was the finish! I looked up and saw the clock...1:39.19 - Not bad considering this is the longest distance I have run since the 1/2 marathon in November.
