It's All In The Details

Yesterday was the big half marathon race day and I have to admit, I really enjoyed the experience. I woke up at 6:30 (woah, what?), was super nervous, tried to get ready despite my nerves, and then made it over to the Allentown fairgrounds. From there, we walked up to the starting line. Before going thirteen miles, I decided to use the toilet. Apparently, so did everyone else. I stood in line determined to at least not give up on that challenge. Little did I know getting to the front of the line was the least of my challenges - - while in the toilet, I worried I was going to get swine flu.... ew.

After the use of the germ factories, it was time to run. We followed the masses over to the started line and waited. The half marathon was staggered - the 5k people went first, then the really fast people, then the kind of fast people, and then me. They had a band at the starting line and every one did a count down. THREE, TWO, ONE, RUNNNNN!! And we did! Well, we jogged. The group of people was so large we had to trot a little ways before actually crossing the starting line. We knew were it was since there was a massive sign reading "Start." I turned to the "trainer" and said, "It's just like in Wii Fit!" And it was.

While running, I created a new record! As soon as we crossed the three mile line, I waited five feet and then said, "A new personal best!" In fact, I ran for four and a half continuous miles. That's more than twice what I normally run in one go. We walked for a little bit, ran for a little bit, took some power gel (which tastes like crap) and water when offered, and then ran again. This time for only two miles before walking a mile and then made sure we crossed the finish line running.

The last two miles weren't that tough but in order to reach the finish line, we had to run up a hill and then run one lap around the college track. Boo on that. By the time we got there (the entire half marathon took us three hours), all the awards were given out. That was one annoying element of the run - - when we passed certain points, the bands were packing up. I paid sixty dollars and was promised thirteen bands. Play, bitches, play!

Truth be told, there were a fair portion of people still cheering us on. I really appreciated that. The Team in Training runners had all sorts of Team in Training supporters on the side line cheering as we passed. They made sure they helped the last person cross the finish line. The people that put the race together (Lehigh Valley Roadrunners)? They were helping break down the tables and band tents. They have a need for speed - not camaraderie. Athletes. Whatev's.

When we did cross the finish line, they gave me a bottle of water, a fire blanket, and a medal. The guy that put the medal over my head said, "Look over there! Your husband is tearing up!" The "trainer" blamed it on the weather but I prefer to believe the medal guy. Where's the medal now? The "trainer" is napping and snuggled up with it.

After the half marathon, I was a little tired. My knees hurt a bit and I took a two and a half hour nap at the end of the day. I picked up the house, watched some tele, took care of the trainer, and ate. Oh lord did I eat. Anything with cheese went in my mouth: pizza, cheese salsa & chips, plain old cheese, mac & cheese, and so on. After the nap, I wanted a serious quesadilla. I settled for Indian food. With cheese.

In the end, I was a happy girl. I had to ice my knees and ate a little too much but I was proud. I was proud I ran nine miles and walked four all in a day. Shoot, all in three hours. For a former chain smoker, this is big. Even at that, for a person that lives in the modern era, this is big. Do it again? Heck yes. Next time, I'll run the whole way. Right, "trainer?"