My goal was to finish. I wasn't sure how far I would be able to run. I just knew I needed to take it easy. The first three miles or so were all uphill. I found someone to chat with and pace off of for the first couple of miles. I walked through the aid station and lost him there. Kept an average of 11 minute mile for the first 8 miles. Started to slow down at the hill at mile 8. I was not prepared for that steep of a hill and walked it. I was wearing my HR monitor and my heart rate stayed in the 180's walking up that hill. So I didn't feel bad. I didn't want to burn out too soon and have to walk. It was downhill pretty much the rest of the way. I kept running. I was walking through all the aid stations and stopping to drink the electrolytes and water but at the aid station right before mile 12 I wished I had kept going. When I stopped my calves started cramping up. I drank my water real quick and got moving again but I was so tired and my feet hurt so much. I just knew I HAD to run the last mile. I didn't want to waste my time. Then the course hit me with a sucker bunch. A weird little turn that was STEEP and short. I had to walk up that hill too. I was toast. But that was it. I was DONE! I couldn't believe that after all I've been through and all the set backs with running I FINISHED A HALF MARATHON! And I RAN IT. SUre, I'm not terribly fast, but I RAN and I gave it all I could. Crossing that finish line felt so good. My whole life I've never thought I could accomplish anything like this. I thought I was weak and not cut out for this kind of activity. And then my gallbladder setting me back and interfering with training. BUT NO MORE!

I am so looking forward to racing another 13.1. And it will only get better.

NOTHING. I think I did all I could considering I had surgery a week and a half ago. I'm glad I did this. It motivated me to get up and moving and I think that has helped recovery. My dad was a huge inspiration. He had his gallbladder out when he was 40. He was also an active healthy person. He said that he was able to run 5 miles a week after surgery. I knew if he could run so soon after a procedure, I could too.

Drank some water. Stretched. Everything started cramping when I stopped running. I got in line for food.I was STARVING. Stretched in line.


Surgery! And not being able to train the last week and a half.


This was my first half marathon. I thought it was organized very well. The food was fantastic the volunteers were great and very helpful/motivating. It was a challenging course but had a lot of variety--not boring at all. The food was great and plenty of it. I had a good time.