Finisher!

Today was the BIG day. I did my first 1/2 marathon and actually didn't die (like I was planning on)!

Rather than a big long story of how it went down here are a few conversations my friend Angie had before/during/after the race.

Before.
Angie: How many of these people do you think are wearing underwear?
Me: Pretty much none. Including us! Can I get a what what!?
Angie: I wish I had my computer so I could make my FaceBook status 'going commando with 2,000 other people right now'.

Me: I can't wait for this to be over so I can go back to sitting on my couch on more of a full time basis.

Me: We should stretch or something right?
Angie: Oh yeah. Let's just find someone who looks like they know what they're doing, stand behind them, and do what they're doing.

During.
Me: If I have to quit and hail a cab, or an ambulance, promise me you'll still finish.
Angie: No way. You can do this.
Me: I probably can't. Instead of training last week I went to a hula hooping class. I don't think it prepared me for this like I had hoped.

Both of us more than once: If that guy can do it so can we.

Angie: The jelly beans in my pocket are getting sweaty. Do I have a rainbow running down my leg?

Angie: My husband (who is a high school cross country coach) told me that even if you're feeling good at mile 3 don't get cocky. You still have 10 to go. He says he meant it in an encouraging way.
Me: I'm not sure my husband knows where I am. I feel like he's going to wake up and be surprised that I'm not home.
Angie: Didn't you tell him that your race was today?
Me: Yeah but he doesn't usually hear me when I tell him things until I've told him 3 times. I think I only told him twice.

Me during the first 9 miles: Oh dear. This was a bad idea.
Angie during the first 9 miles: No! We're middle aged mommies and we're running 13.1 miles like it's nothin'! You're doing awesome!

Angie during the last 4 miles: I think my body is mad at me. Go on without me.
Me during the last 4 miles: No! We're middle aged mommies and we're running 13.1 miles! You're doing this!

After.
Angie: Only 1 full marathon runner (who started at the same time as us but 13.1 miles away somewhere in Idaho) beat us. I feel kind of proud of that.

Angie: Do you feel dizzy?
Me: I feel like I'm dreaming. I don't remember driving the last mile.

All in all it was fun and I'm glad I did it. I'm also glad that I found a friend who pushed me to train, to actually show up on race day, and who stayed by my side the whole time. We finished together at about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Next year we're shooting for a slightly better time, mostly because it was a little embarrassing to be beat by someone who ran 13 more miles than we did.