Another 13.1 in the books

I should be writing this post with excitement and pride but instead I'm just glad it's over. I'm glad that I survived it.

Let's be honest. We knew I wouldn't PR. We knew I wasn't training. at all. So I didn't go into this expecting anything. I just wanted the experieince and I wanted to finish.

Finish I did but barely. I was not prepared for the West Coast hills, the freezing rain, and the wind.

I'll admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I am happy that I finished at all because around mile 6, like last time, I hit the race hard mentally and just wanted to give up. I wanted to be in a warm coffee shop under a blanket somewhere. Or at least in a porta potty because I had to pee!

 

For a while I kept up with my pace group and stayed right on track as if I did train. I surprised myself that I just fell right into the groove. Then? I had to pee like a race horse and since it was the inaugural race they weren't exactly prepared. I had to wait a few miles before even seeing one and even then I think it was not race related but for construction workers only. Oops. 

That's about the time I lost the pace group and never found them again. That's also about the time that every single hill in Oregon started kicking my ass.

 That bump in the road? Was me...you know just...resting.

Those hills are no joke. This flat road Florida gal was being tortured. My butt does thank you though downtown Portland. Very much.

I finished with a far from stellar time. Once I crossed the finish line a lady passed me and said "you deserve that medal. You worked your ass off." I wanted to turn around and look at my ass because really lady? How did you know? But instead I smiled and said "Thank You". 

Would I run this race again? Despite the rain, cold, and hills. Yes. Yes I would. Because I want to make those hills my bitch and come out with a much better finish time. Along with a banana and a warm blanket at the end that I did not receive this time. I WILL get my warm blanket!

The recovery process was a lot easier this time than it was in my first half marathon. I don't know why but it was. I was only out of commission & hated life for one day. So we are making progress!

I plan on running in two more half marathons this year and yes, I will be training. I always forget how much I love running until I want to die in a half marathon. Then it hits me that "oh yeah! I do like doing this".

Thank you for all of the support on here, Twitter, IG and Facebook! It meant a lot to get encouraging messages and texts throughout the entire race.

Question: Is anyone planning on running in the Rock and Roll Savannah 1/2 Marathon this year?!