Yup - I DID IT! In 1h 49m 50s. The official race posting will be at www.ceptiming.com by 9am on 11/10. You can see my time by looking at the very bottom and count 3 from the end...i think. I know I didn't finish last, but I finished and that's all that matters. My bib # is 2927.

So the day started out kind of rocky. I didn't get much sleep last night and was worried I wouldn't have the energy. I was planning on walking with my gal-pal Beth and we were going to meet up with my friend Nate and one of his running friends. Well, Beth called at 5:45am to say that she had been sick all night and wouldn't make it. Then Nate called to say that his running partner was sick. Looks like it was just the two of us! So, with no gal-pal to sweat it out with me, I backed my bag and headed to the race.

Nate and walked around the park checking out the booths and people watching. I was really excited about the giant gorilla. Seems every race I go to has monkeys at it. I can't wait for January! We saw some pretty interesting people. One in particular that was so sad and disturbing that I can't even talk about it. We ran into some more of Nate's running friends and got our stretching on.

The time came for the runners to take their mark. Nate and I said our good lucks and he walked to the 8 minute mile group and I went to the very back. I was standing next to a RAPID stop so I made note of the time when I finally got running. Mind you, I was pretty far back from the "START" line so I think my time should have been a LOT better. Oh well...

At 8:30, we were off. Well, the people at the front were. Those of us in the cheap seats had to wait for the crowd to move. Sad how everyone's "waiting pace" was my race pace - guess I have some training to do!

I realized very quickly that I did not stretch my shins enough be they started to burn. Not just the kind of mild burn that you get walking up a few flights of stairs, but the kind of burn that makes you think you are going to lose a limb. I made it about a mile before I had to take 30 seconds and stretch them out.

After that, things went well. The event was co-sponsored by New Times and they had arranged for local bands to play at various points in the race. There was one group of 3 teens of Asian decent called Toy Box. On the first lap, there were two boys on guitars/bass and a chick on drums! I was like "Awesome! Drummer Chicks Rule!" I said that outload but they didn't hear me. Music wasn't half bad either. On the second lap, they had done a switch up and the chick was on guitar. Versatile musicians - even cool.

Shortly after seeing Toy Box the first time, I realized that I had gone through more than half of my Camelback - which holds 3 liters of water. Of course there were no Porto potties on this half of the race. I mean, we were on the south side of the Sandra Day O'Connor court house (or whatever its called). I knew there was one next to the AOT building (of course) so I had to make it all the way around and not die. I just focused on my music and didn't think about it until I got to Washington. It didn't help when Nate came running behind me and decided to give me the athletic show of support by whopping my on the butt. Did NOT need to be startled right then. Now, I should tell you that up to this point, I was holding strong in the back of the pack. I had been using another slow couple as a pacer and knew that if I made this pit stop, I'd have to reach them to keep my time. I made a quick dive down 12th Ave and into the Porto potty. Yes, it was gross, but I travel with disinfectant sprays, wipes and potty seat covers. I got back to Washington and my pace couple was WAY DOWN the street. So, I did what every lame horse at the end of the pack does when they want to catch up - gave myself a mental slap on the ass and started running.

Yeah, that lasted maybe 15 yards, then my camel back started bouncing and my iPod started flying. I regrouped and started power walking harder. I started doing intervals - run 1 block, walk 5. I did that for about 30 min and caught up to my pace couple. I decided to keep at it and passed another couple. I got a good lead on 4 people that I felt good. I guess the music I was listening to really helped me push harder.

As I approached the final leg - 12th ave & Washington - I turned on Extraordinary by Liz Phair and started my finish. I love that song. It always makes me feel good about myself no matter how I'm feeling. I couldn't see the time at the RAPID stop where I started, but I knew that I was right on pace. When I practice I usually do 6 miles in just over 2 hours. As I turned the final corner, I saw Nate with his camera ready, catching my last moments. It wasn't until he yelled "Come on Meg! Finish before 1:52" that I realized I had beaten my mental time. So I ran the final 30 feet to make it in around 1:52:43. I was in a stupor and these nice people came over while this guy held me up and this lady took off my timing chip. Then Nate ran over and got our photo finish.

All in all it was a great experience. I'm really excited for the Half Marathon - less than 70 days to go!!! I have a LOT of work to do before then. Thanks to everyone for all their support and words of encouragement. Let me know if you want to volunteer or come meet me at the finish line for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon - we will be having beers at Four Peaks!!!

xoxo
megs