My goal was to come in under 2 hours, and I did it! This is a PR for me...if you can count it as such since I haven't run a half marathon in 5 years...the Omaha Half 5 years ago was my last. I have run plenty of training runs at this distance and greater, but not an actual race :). I enjoyed meeting up with my fellow DM friends Michael, Jayne M., Tammie, K., Walter, Keeley and a few more...next time maybe we can find an "open" spot! :) It was also fun running a half mile or so with Blondeponytail (she and I went to highschool together)!
It was a cold morning and I ended up wearing shorts and a tank with an old long sleeve over top. I ditched the long sleeves at mile 3.5 and felt great. I turned my music on at mile 4 and kept trucking ahead. I kept telling myself that I should probably slow down so I didn't crash later on, but I felt like I was going at a nice easy pace. I didn't feel tired so I kept with it. I came around the corner just before "THE HILL or HILLS" and thought to myself...here it is...this is it...let's do it! My pace definitely slowed down, but not terribly. I felt strong going up, and I was definitely thankful for the downhill course that followed the dreaded miles 8-10ish. I took a gel at mile 5 and mile 9.5. I debated whether or not to carry my handheld, but I'm thankful that I did. I don't like to be slowed down at the water stops and I know if I don't slow down I end up snorting half my water!
I felt like I finished strong and I am thrilled to have more than met my goal time! My only disappointment was that my hubby and girls got stuck in traffic somewhere on 14th street and never made it to the finish to see me :(