Our tenth half marathon and 6th Syracuse Half Marathon is in the books. Spoiler alert- I had a blast and finished feeling happy and proud!
I was disheartened last week to start coming down with a cold and spent most of the week feeling tired and blah. I was really hoping it would be out of my system by Sunday, it wasn't. I felt pretty grumpy Friday night to be heading into race/my birthday weekend feeling sub par.
I rallied a little when I met my sister (& nephew) for packet pickup. Looking at my bib made me feel happy and excited. We snapped some pics and found or names on the wall.
Evan had to get in on the action too.
We parted ways in the parking lot. Evan was apparently less than thrilled with the idea.
I headed to get groceries and then home to take it easy and hydrate.
Before bed I carefully planned and laid out my race gear. It was to be around 21 degrees at start time (brrrrr) I decided on a long sleeve and jacket, hat, fleece lined leggings. Wearing my old running shoes because I did not get my new ones properly broken in and had not worn them for a run longer than two miles. Fruit snacks for fuel. I hoped my Stronger by the Mile shirt and Run Happy hat would inspire me 😉 And a previous Syracuse Half jacket to remind me, I could do this, I have done this! I did add a short sleeve top into the mix in the morning.
I went to bed early, hoping to wake up feeling halfway decent. But Bruno woke me up three times to go outside through out the night. After the last time just before 4 am, I just crashed on the couch and stayed there as long as possible before getting up to get ready. I had a cup of coffee, and English muffin with peanut butter and honey. Rhett got up to wish me luck and pray over me before I headed off in the morning dark to Laura's house.
In only takes minutes to get to the race site from Laura's house and we arrived quickly and fairly easily. We parked and made our way into the convention center. The line to the restroom was quite long so we decided to hop right in line and ended up waiting almost half an hour.
We waited until almost the last possible minute before heading out into the cold.
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| Start Line Selfie! |
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| all the runners ahead of us at the start line |
And then we were off! I was still feeling apprehensive as we began our first mile and it was so cold!
As we neared the Mile 1 marker Laura said she was going to take off, I waved my blessing, promising to listen to my tunes and enjoy the run. Although I felt pretty skeptical at that point still. Mind you this is in the midst of probably the biggest hill on the course. As soon as Laura pulled away, I slowed to a walk for the rest of the hill.
A few texts from Laura, as well as getting her status updates helped me still feel connected to her.
This guy carrying the US flag passed me pretty early on. It always impresses me, these guys running with the flag for 13 miles!
In the beginning of mile two I noticed these two ladies and we kept playing cat and mouse as I'd pass them and then a little while later they'd pass me. I quickly realized they were doing a run/walk cycle and decided to just tuck in behind them and follow as long as possible running when they ran and walking when they walked. I soon realized it was working! I was feeling good, and knowing a short walk break was coming helped me keep me going. I followed them for probably 2/3rds of the race and was astounded how good I felt and how quickly the time and miles were rolling by.
Side note: my watch never linked up. So the only indicator I had of how I was doing time wise was the updates I got from the race app at every mile. I found these so helpful and encouraging!
Mile 7 I texted a selfie to Rhett telling him I was doing good!
In mile 8 a squirrel dashed across the street in front of me, it cracked me and the police officer at the intersection up.
Looks like he wants to run the race too! He quipped. We shared a laugh as I trudged past.
I am so thankful for all the police officers and volunteers and spectators on the course.
Mile 9 I started to struggle to keep up with my unknowing pacers. By mile 10 they were long gone. Coincidently unbeknownst to me, my tracking also stopped working.
In mile 11 I was thinking about my sister and wondering if she'd finished. I pulled out my phone to see a notification at the tops of the screen saying she'd crossed mile 13 and then her FINISH notification popped up on my screen! I felt so happy to know she had finished and sent a quick text.
I kept running, I was next to another couple ladies and trying to stay with them to the finish. I was enjoying my music and continually telling myself I was almost there!
A few minutes later my phone started ringing in my earbud, I pulled it out of my pocket to see my sister's face on the screen. After I answered her first questions was "Are you OK?!"
"Yeah I'm fine I answered, I'm crossing mile 12".
"Rhett and I were so worried! Your dot stopped moving!"
She told me she was headed to where they last saw my dot moving. I'm at Salt City Market, she said Did you pass it yet? No but I could see it! We met up moments later and she texted Rhett to let him know I was alive and well. After running with me a couple blocks she cut back to the finish line to wait for me.
I made that final turn and I could see the blue and green finish in the distance. I wanted to go faster but felt like I just couldn't. Just keep moving, you'll get there! I told myself.
Soon I saw Laura and grinned and waved as she snapped pictures of me heading into the finishers chute. I felt so triumphant crossing that finish line!
I texted Rhett and saw his distress text from a couple miles back.
Laura and I headed inside for post race snacks. We were severely disappointed to find out there were no pancakes this year and they had baked ziti instead. What?!? We wanted our pancakes, bacon and frozen syrup 😂 We did find the chocolate milk though.
We headed home feeling tired and cold but HAPPY!
Home I pulled in the drive way as Ryan was also arriving. We were celebrating my birthday, all the kids were coming and we were having pizza and wings YUM! I took a delightfully hot shower and donned my new race shirt for my birthday celebration.
Hannah made this exquisite cake
We sat at the table all afternoon, played games and chatted.
The kids gave me this painting of Bruno and Chance 💖
It was a spectacular day filled with delight!
