Mile 1 - Since I got there late, I had to use this as my warmup, quite success too, (first mile was around a 16min/mile) I'm running along, some fool shouts out "great job! only 13 miles left", and then I feel a slight tug on my braided pigtail. I turn around to what turns out to be my saving grace, Laurie! I was happy to see her, and we ran together a little, then we were both like 'if you want to drop me you can' We ended up running the entire race together and that was way cool. I don't feel like either one of us held the other back, if anything she pushed me further.

Mile 2 - Mrs. Bear ran along with us and we all talked and were all feeling good and getting into the motion. Stopped a sec to stretch the knee out. Took off the jacket.

Mile 3 - Just very pleasant conversation.

Mile 4 - Shot a Powergel

Mile 5 - Mrs. Bear dropped back somewhere in here, and Laurie and I kept on truckin' This is where we went over the big huge bridge for the first time. My plan was to walk the bridge both times, but Laurie had other plans for us. It also occurred to me that if I ran that bridge both times that I could possibly beat my goal of running the whole time except the bridges. So I ran it. HR got a little high but came back down soon enough after we leveled out.

Mile 6 - Loop, so we could see all the people behind us, and the end of the race aka Derek(Willy Wonka), Haley (Hershey's Kiss) and Noot (Oompa Loompa) They had already been drinking the first 6 miles and looked quite well I must say. My left hand went numb. Figure it was from having my elbow bent and blood flow was low. Mrs. Bear ran across the median and took a pic of Laurie and me.

Mile 7 - Realized that I could actually finish and run the whole thing. I felt great.

Mile 8 - Shot 2nd PowerGel

Mile 9 - The second crossover of the bridge. Definitely harder the second time, and I stopped for a mere second to stretch my knee out. Laurie was so nice as to run in a circle while I did that.

Mile 10 - Still feeling very good. At the turn on Moss St. Some of the nearby residents had hung a banner that read "Turn for the worse" They also had signs that read "Cigarettes --->" and "Cocktails --->" It was neat.

Mile 11 - Hands down the hardest mile. By this time Laurie and I had quit talking, can't speak for her but I was concentrating on my breathing. Kept telling myself outloud 2 more miles, just 2 more, 2 is nothing.

Mile 12 - SAW MY MOMMA?!?! I look up and my mom is standing right there, I told her to wait at the finish line, not sure if she couldn't get there because of road blocks or what, but I scream out, "HEY MOMMA!!!!" and I get this big ol' grin on my face, and she smiles and says, "wait come here, let me find my camera so I can take a picture of you" I tell her "uh, i can't really stop right now, I'm kinda running a 1/2 marathon right now, you are supposed to be at the finish" She says okay she will go there.

Mile 13 - Oh sweet, sweet mile 13. It was good.

Mile 13.1 - Rookie mistake, BIG rookie mistake, There is a timing mat before the finish line, I don't see the one at the finish line, I think the one I see is the one that does my finishing time. I literally jump on this mat all excited that I'm done, and I stopped and turn around to cheer on Laurie (I sprinted to the finish) Then I realize that that is NOT the finish line. All well.

This was just a good fun race. Lots of people on their porches having parties for us.

I had a really incredibly great time. It was great to meet everyone at dinner Saturday night. (Laurie (tri_it_cajun_style, Derek (DerekL), The Bear and Mrs. Bear, Haley and her mom (Tricomet), and Aaron (JeepFleeb)

Leave the house earlier

Got my finisher's medal, walked around got some water, cheered in the rest of the 1/2 marathoners. Watched as the crazies came strolling in, right in front of the car. It was great, You guys are awesome.

Waited about an hour for my mom, but didn't see her, so I gave up, but at least she did get to see me in action :)


Good race, I would do it again