Race Recap

I have to write (type) all this out so I don't forget.  This might be lengthy, so if you don't care about the details just skip to the photos at the bottom.

What a beautiful experience!!! Let me just say that this is one of the few things that I have ever put my mind to, and FINISHED 100%.  I love setting goals and thinking up new things to do, but I always struggle with the follow through.  But - this - this really surprised me. :)  I have always "liked" the idea of being a runner, I admire people who do, and have always wished that I could enjoy it as well.  I can now say that I see where that enjoyment comes from.

The day before the race was full of nerves.  I was anxious, scared and nervous all day long.  I managed to get 7 hours of sleep the night before. The morning of, we all (Amick, Isaak and myself) woke up at 5:00 am to get dressed and head to the starting line.  My breakfast consisted of coffee and oatmeal.  I pinned on my race bib, and we left the house.  I did do my hair and make-up... I trained for this day, so I wanted to attempt to look somewhat alive and presentable!  

Oh yeah, IT WAS FREEZING!  

We got to the starting line and there were people everywhere.  I jogged for about 10 minutes to warm up, and then visited the ladies room just in case.  The race had a corral start, so people lined up based on their minute per mile pace.  This was nice because I didn't have to be lumped in with the super-fast-lightening-speed-pro-cooler-than-me runners.  We sang the national anthem, and the gun fired.  

Off I went.  Immediately after starting, this feeling of  defeat  came over me.  People just kept passing me, I felt heavy and thought surely.... If I feel this way now, I'll never finish this thing.  I fought those feelings for the first 2 miles. I stuck to my pace though, because I knew I'd pay later if I didn't.  As I rounded the corner of the 2nd mile, I saw the sweetest thing.  Amick & Isaak were standing on the side of the road waving and cheering me on.  Tears started rolling down my face, and a sense of pride, confidence & energy came over me! At that moment my attitude changed.  "I CAN DO THIS!" I thought.  "I've trained for this, and If I'm gonna do it, I'm going to enjoy it!"  

The next 5 miles were wonderful.  

It was like I was in another world.  I crossed the 3 mile bridge, into Gulf Breeze.  I had 2 huge energy bursts, and I even sped up and found myself passing people.  I sang out loud, smiled so big and took it all in.  Amick and Isaak were waiting for me again at mile 6, and it was just what I needed to push through the last 3 miles.  It didn't get tough until mile 8, but I pushed through and barreled up the last huge bridge.  Since I was slower, there weren't many people around me, so I had the finish line all to myself.  As I ran through the finish line, I saw my cheerleaders and then came to a stop.  As I caught my breath, it hit me! "What have I just done?" Never in my life did I think I was capable of running 9.3 miles.  But I did.  I loved it.  I'm hurting sooooo bad today, but it was worth it.

I experienced Joy in the down-hill moments, I experienced determination in the up-hill climbs, I experienced worship in the flat miles where my mind could wander away.  I experienced awe in realizing what my body was capable of when I gave it the chance, and even now I experience anticipation when I imagine what I can attempt in the future.  It truly was a beautiful experience.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy.  Thanks for cheering me on along the way.

5:30am.  Not ready to get out of the car. brrrrr.

fellow friends and runners. way faster than me, but still.

me and bubs pre-race.  We had him bundled up.

about to head to the starting line.  Showing off my first race bib.

The slow section. 12 min/mile and over.  Slow & steady finish the race, right?!?

pre-race stretching and warming up.

my only mid-race photo. around mile 4.  Cloudy, but beautiful scenery.

me crossing the finish line, woo hoo!!!

i included this photo to show how absolutely wiped out I really was. I ain't ashamed!

a quick over-the-top smile, haha.  I was so red and sweaty.

My friends and fellow race runners. I didn't have cool headband though.

final stats from my running app.  I burned 919 calories. I'll take that. :)

And there you have it, friends.... :) My first 15k.

Be blessed