Hibler House: Super Jock 'n Jill Half Marathon

On Labor Day, 06 September 2010, I ran a half marathon! I was really nervous because I hadn't done a lot of running since finishing the Ragnar at the end of July. I'd only done a few longer runs- mostly 10 miles, some 12 miles and once 13 miles- and lots of short runs- like 3-6 miles. I felt out of shape and totally unprepared!

But things went really well. Here's just some of the highlights:

This was the first race that Dale was able to come and see me finish. It wasn't a relay so he finally knew where I would be starting and finishing and approximate timing. I was looking for him the WHOLE TIME! (He didn't show his face until mile 11)

I went to the start with my running friend, Cara, and we got warmed up together. We got pumped, put in our ear buds and wished each other good luck. I sprinted out of that pack pretty quickly. I hate running in the herd, so I take off and work my way to the outside edge where I feel like I can just get in a groove. There was a guy talking on a cell phone while running which made me chuckle. Who brings their cell phone on a run with them? Too funny.

Around mile 4, one of my ear buds stopped working. Not good! I really must have music while I run. It keeps me going! At least I had the other ear.

It was a cold morning, but not too cold. It's actually perfect running weather to me because I'm a sweater! There were even some rains drops here and there and a little misting so that kept me comfortable.

I was keeping a good pace- about an 8:15 minute mile until right around mile 10 when my other ear bud gave up on me, and I was feeling it. I'd pretty much hit the wall and the only thing keeping me going was the thought that if I stopped, I'd never get going again. I think if my music had kept up I'd have done so much better!

At mile 11, Dale and Kassie hung out with the kids. There was a park right there that B and Mason played at while they waited for me to come around.

Mason begging for a ride on the swing.

Kassie and Brighton being silly.

Mason, happy to finally be swinging.

I heard about this tire swing from B on the way home. She was very excited about it.

She seems sad that I'm running, but her sign makes me happy. Apparently this was a very "hard to get shot" because B kept crying and throwing the sign down.

There's me, in the middle with the white baseball cap. And my awesome highlighter green shirt. It was the race shirt. No way I was going to miss out on that.

Saying "I love you" to the family. Only 2.1 miles to go- the longest 2.1 miles of my entire life!

I finished! Not as strongly as I'd hoped, but I ran the whole 13.1 miles. My goal was to finish under 2 hours and I did it in 1:50:49. Not too bad.

Once I was done, I watched and cheered the other runners for a while. And took some photos of crazy runners, like this one. She seems depressed. I'd probably hate myself for wearing this un-aerodynamic tutu, too (hehe).