Don't Go For Second Best, Baby...

One of the exciting parts of races is getting your race shirt!

I did it! I ran another 13.1 miles! Despite a bathroom mishap,  I was so pleasantly suprised at how well I felt throughout, for over half of it!  I had to get up at 5, and leave by 6, so I could sit at the site for an hour and a half before race time. That has to be the worst part about races. Hurry up and wait.

It was barely 40 degrees. Ummm..brrrr....

This was a shared route, so we looped back, meaning you were suppose to stay single file unless you were passing. This helped me because I would speed up to pass people, and then I'd feel bad if I fell back to a slow pace, so I kept up quicker than I normally would on a long run.

Around mile 9 I was on top of the world! I felt great!  If I got to mile 10 by 10am (just short of 2 hours from start time), I had 55 minutes to run a measely 3 miles, and totally beat my first half marathon time! Anyone can run 3 miles in less than 55 minutes!!!!!

But then mile 10 came.

Out of nowhere, I had to go to the bathroom so bad. I knew there were no port o lets until the finish because I am an avid course map studier!

This was a #2 need, not a #1. It was pretty awful!  There as no stopping it! It would have been a "bridesmaids moment"!!!

It made me nauseus to the point that I had to stop running, I had to walk, and  tried to tell myself "it will pass" over and over. But it didn't pass! If I walked the last couple miles I would not beat my time! I was doing so good, and this stupid thing would not stop me!! I had no choice.

So I did what any self respecting runner would do, I started scanning the woods off the trail for a somewhat private spot, then went off road to expel the evil inside of me that was wreaking havoc on my intestines!!!

 I was then covered in pricker scratches all up and down both legs. OUCH!



 The lesson here is not to have greek yogurt with your eggs before a half marathon

Then I  somewhat ran the last two miles after my stop.  I do not do well with "breaks" once I stop running, the pain sets in and I have a hard time getting back to pace.  

The impromptu break aside, I still managed to beat my first half marathon time!!

First go-round I finished 2:55, at a 13.3 minute mile. . This race was  2:35 at an  11.45 minute mile!!

I shaved off way more than I thought I could, and it inspires me for next season!! (unless I find a taker in a 2 man half marathon relay later this month!!)

Another medal for the collection...I heart these!!

I think a good finish time justifies a poo in the woods any day of the week. But...that's just me!!

In the end, any time you do something you never thought you could, it's a win! Set your goals high and go for them! I never thought in a billion years I could do a half marathon, and now I have done two!