Cherry Blossom 10-miler - I DID IT!!!

April 5, 2009
6:00am: Woke up with a sore throat and a worry that I was late for the race. "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath was playing and Michele prayed healing over me

6:30am: Bailey is walked, I'm putzing around afraid that when I leave, I won't be coming back

7:00am: finally on Metro but now afraid the race would start without me

7:35am: at the race, stuck in the middle of all the slow runners

7:40am: the fast runners start running

7:56am: Put in my headphones and finally crossed the start line

First two miles: slow jogging... trying to get around the super slow people. Wondering how I'd finish in under 2:20 if people are so slow

Blur: that's how the rest of it went. Around mile 6, realized I was going to explode if I didn't pee and finally found a bathroom that didn't have an hour-long line. Overall, quite an easy run - no hills, only dodging slow runners. Took up most of energy dodging slow runners and took 10-second breaks to get water. Amazed that there were so few cherry blossom trees en route but also didn't look for them. Lots of people wearing pink (including me). Lots of people with sweaty bums. Wish I had 'run and not grow weary' printed on the back of my shirt. Saw guy with 'Up Yours' on his back.

Last two miles: Finally found some Gatorade and took off - ready to conquer the last 2 miles. Saw Kristin cheering at Mile 8. Excited to almost be done. Mile 9 was a bit tough but the knowledge that it was almost over helped. A girl was holding a sign with 'free lap dance at finish line' on it... ?? Mile 9.5 was rough since it was the only hill but told self that all I did was hills so this was cake. Last .25 mile was downhill and right to the finish line... sprinted... faster than I ever have before... I am fast, fast like wind.

Finish line: I DID IT!!!! 1:41:43.

The whole race was pretty easy, didn't run at my full speed but just wanted to finish. Couldn't run at full speed due to super slow people. Wanted to complete race in 1:45 but REALLY wanted to do it in under 1:40. Realize now that there's no way I'm running with the super slow people again... not my style. But hey, this was the first 10-miler... now have the summer to train for Half-Marathon! WOO HOO!

Thank you for all the support, all the love and encouragement and a special thanks to Michele for waking up early with me, going down and standing for 2 hours waiting for me and being ridiculously cheerful - only to go back on Metro and go home. Friends are there for a reason... she proved what a great friend she is. We're all part of a team... GO TEAM!